Spain left-wing government is set to approve a decree on Tuesday that will regularise the status of an estimated 500,000 undocumented migrants, marking a sharp contrast with increasingly restrictive migration policies elsewhere in Europe.
Read More: Barcelona brand gives migrant hawkers a legal foothold in fashion
Migration Minister Elma Saiz told public broadcaster RTVE that the measure would allow beneficiaries to work “in any sector, in any part of the country”, underscoring what she described as the positive economic and social impact of migration.
“We are talking about estimations, probably more or less the figures may be around half a million people,” Saiz said, adding that the government was “recognising and dignifying” people who are already living in Spain and contributing to society.
Abascal sobre Sánchez y la regularización de 500.000 inmigrantes ilegales:
“Como su pueblo lo increpa, ha decidido que hay que sustituirlo. Los regularizan a toda pastilla con apoyo del PP y los nacionalizan aunque no sepan español”. pic.twitter.com/37yxIxoBkw
— Wall Street Wolverine (@wallstwolverine) January 27, 2026
According to sources in the migration ministry, the decree will apply to migrants who have lived in Spain for at least five months and who applied for international protection before December 31, 2025. The regularisation will also extend to children of applicants who are already residing in the country.
Saiz said the application process would open in April and remain in place until the end of June. The decree will not require parliamentary approval, allowing the Socialist-led coalition government to move forward despite lacking a clear majority in parliament.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has repeatedly argued that Spain needs migration to address labour shortages and mitigate the effects of an ageing population, warning that pensions and the welfare state could be at risk without an expanded workforce.
Spain’s relatively open stance stands in contrast to broader European trends, where far-right parties campaigning on anti-immigration platforms have gained ground in several countries.
Read More: At least 300 migrants missing at sea near Spanish Canal
The country remains on the front line of Europe’s migration routes, particularly via the Canary Islands, which have seen tens of thousands of irregular arrivals from west Africa in recent years. However, irregular migrant arrivals to Spain fell by more than 40 per cent in 2025, largely due to a sharp decline along the dangerous Atlantic route.
Official figures show that more than seven million foreigners live in Spain, out of a total population of approximately 49.4 million.