Spanish authorities have announced plans to grant legal status to undocumented immigrants, allowing eligible applicants to obtain a temporary one-year residence permit. Spain’s immigration minister, Elma Saiz, disclosed this at a press conference on Tuesday, describing the move as a major shift in the country’s migration policy.
“Today is a historic day for our country,” Ms Saiz said. “We are strengthening a migration model based on human rights, integration, coexistence, and compatibility with economic growth and social cohesion.” The programme targets migrants resident for five months before December 31, 2025, without criminal records.
The regularisation process is scheduled to begin in April and run through June, with permits renewable after the initial one-year period. Spanish authorities estimate that about 500,000 undocumented immigrants could benefit from the initiative, which is aimed at improving integration and strengthening the country’s labour force.