Spain’s left-leaning coalition government is set to approve a decree on Tuesday that could regularise around 500,000 undocumented migrants, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has announced, marking a notable departure from the tougher immigration stance seen elsewhere in Europe.
The cabinet is expected to adopt the measure, which Sánchez said ‘begins the extraordinary regularisation process for people living irregularly in our country’, according to a letter he shared on social media (see below). The initiative had first been outlined in January. ALSO READ: Spain to grant legal status to around 500,000 undocumented migrants.
An act of normalization, of recognizing the reality of nearly half a million people who already form part of our daily life. And, also, an act of justice and a necessity. We recognize rights, but we also demand obligations. That those who already form part of our day-to-day do so under equal conditions, contributing to the sustenance of our country and our model of coexistence. Today, once again, I feel proud to be Spanish.
‘This regularisation is, above all, an act of normalisation,’ Sánchez wrote, ‘of recognising the reality of nearly half a million people who already form part of our daily life. And, also, an act of justice and a necessity. We recognize rights, but we also demand obligations. That those who already form part of our day-to-day do so under equal conditions, contributing to the sustenance of our country and our model of coexistence. Today, once again, I feel proud to be Spanish.’
Sánchez has consistently argued that migration is essential for Spain’s economy, helping to address labour shortages and offset the effects of an ageing population that could otherwise strain pensions and the welfare system. ALSO READ: PM Sánchez defends Spain’s immigration model, urging Europe to take note.
In his letter, he also highlighted ‘the dynamism of migrants’ as a key factor behind Spain’s status as one of the fastest-growing developed economies. ALSO READ: ‘We owe a lot to them’ – Sánchez hails benefits of ‘safe, orderly, regular migration’.
Migration Minister Elma Saiz told Cadena SER radio that applications would open this week and run until 30 June, adding that the necessary administrative channels had been ‘protected and strengthened’ to handle the process.
The scheme will apply to migrants who have been living in Spain for at least five months and who submitted applications for international protection before 31 December 2025. Applicants must also have a clean criminal record. The regularisation will extend to their children already residing in the country. ALSO READ: Spanish police alert to sharp rise in ‘lost’ passport reports ahead of migrant regularisation.
The decree will come into force without a parliamentary vote, as the socialist-led coalition does not hold a majority in parliament.
Opposition parties, including right-wing and far-right groups, have criticised the plan, arguing it could incentivise further irregular migration.
Spain’s relatively open approach stands in contrast to a broader European trend, where governments have tightened immigration policies amid growing pressure from far-right parties. ALSO READ: EU pushes stricter visa controls amid renewed migration focus.
According to the Funcas think-tank, around 840,000 undocumented migrants were living in Spain at the start of 2025, the majority of them from Latin America. ALSO READ: Spain’s population reaches all-time high of 49.4 million, driven by immigration.
Spain remains one of Europe’s main entry points for irregular migration, particularly for people fleeing poverty, conflict and persecution. In recent years, tens of thousands of mostly sub-Saharan African migrants have arrived via the Canary Islands, the Atlantic archipelago off the northwest coast of Africa.
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El Consejo de Ministros aprobará hoy el Real Decreto que da inicio al proceso de regularización extraordinaria de personas en situación irregular en nuestro país.
— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) April 14, 2026
Un acto de normalización, de reconocer la realidad de casi medio millón de personas que ya forman parte de nuestra… pic.twitter.com/Es9il0KE59
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