In a landmark policy shift, Spain’s government has unveiled plans to grant legal residency and work rights to an estimated 500,000-800,000 undocumented immigrants currently living within its borders. The extraordinary measure, announced by Migration Minister Elma Saiz following Tuesday’s cabinet meeting, represents a direct challenge to the increasingly restrictive immigration policies adopted by the United States and many European nations.
The reform will be implemented through an expedited decree, bypassing parliamentary gridlock that had stalled similar legislation. To qualify, immigrants must have arrived in Spain before December 31, 2025, provide evidence of at least five months’ residence, and demonstrate a clean criminal record. Successful applicants will receive legal residency status for up to one year alongside official work authorization.
Minister Saiz hailed the decision as “historic,” noting that the initiative primarily benefits Latin American and African migrants who form the backbone of Spain’s agricultural, tourism, and service sectors. Their contributions have become increasingly vital to the nation’s expanding economy, yet many have remained trapped in societal shadows without legal protections.
The policy emerged from a last-minute political agreement between the ruling Socialist Party and the left-wing Podemos party, securing parliamentary support for Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s administration. The move surprised observers but was immediately celebrated by migrant rights organizations and Catholic associations that had collected 700,000 signatures supporting similar measures.
With applications expected to open by April, Spain solidifies its status as an outlier in global migration policy. While other nations tighten borders and asylum rules—often inspired by the Trump administration’s approach—Spain’s leadership continues to champion immigration’s economic benefits, having already welcomed millions of legal migrants from South America and Africa in recent years.