Spain’s government approved a decree on Tuesday which will see more than 500,000 undocumented migrants given the right to work adn reside legally in the country. Here are all the details, from the requirements, to the residency card they’ll get and more.
What exactly has been approved?
It’s a new decree aimed at “guaranteeing rights and giving legal certainty to an existing social reality,” meaning it will seek to legalise the situation of around 500,000 undocumented migrants already living in Spain.
According to the Ministry of Inclusion,Social Security and Migration,headed by Elma Saiz,it ”reinforces” a migration policy model “based on human rights,integration and coexistence,compatible with economic growth and social cohesion.”
This also means that 60 percent of undocumented immigrants residing in Spain could be issued with residency papers after an agreement was reached between the government and far-left party Unidas Podemos.
Who is the initiative aimed at?
It is aimed at undocumented migrants who were already living in Spain before December 31st, 2025 and can prove at least five months of residence, according to Political secretary and MEP of Podemos, Irene Montero.
The figure widely used by the Spanish government and Spanish press is 500,000, but according to the Funcas think-tank around 840,000 undocumented migrants lived in Spain at the beginning of January 2025, most of them Latin American.
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What are the requirements for undocumented migrants?
The main requirement for migrants is to prove they have lived in Spain for at least five months, or at least since December 2025.
Authorities have said that immigrants can apply for legal papers by showing proof of registration on the municipal/town hall register (known as the padrón), rental contracts, receipts for money transfers, transport tickets, or medical certificates.
When does the application window open and close?
Applications are expected to open in April 2026, according to Saiz. Undocumented migrants can apply up until June 30th 2026.
It is indeed not yet clear what will happen beyond that date. At the time of applying, any return proceedings or deportation orders for administrative reasons or for working without a permit will be suspended.
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Which immigrants are not eligible to legalise their status under the new decree?
So far, authorities have only confirmed that no one with a criminal record will be able to apply for legal residency under the new rules.
How long will the application process take?
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