Spain to Grant Legal Status to 5 Lakh Undocumented Migrants in Historic Move

Madrid: The Spanish government has announced a major initiative to grant legal status to undocumented migrants, a move expected to benefit at least 500,000 people. Unlike several other major European countries, the Socialist government led by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has adopted an inclusive approach toward migrant communities.

The benefit will be available to foreign nationals with no criminal record who can prove that they have lived in Spain for at least five months before December 31, 2025. Calling the move historic, Spain’s Minister for Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Elma Saiz, said, “For our country, this is a historic day.”

Under the scheme, beneficiaries will initially receive a one-year residence permit, which can later be extended. Applications for regularisation are expected to begin in April and continue until the end of June. “We are strengthening a migration model based on human rights, integration, and coexistence. This model supports economic growth and social cohesion,” Saiz said.

In recent years, Spain has witnessed large-scale migration, particularly from Latin America. The number of undocumented migrants in the country increased from 107,409 in 2017 to 837,938 in 2025. A majority of undocumented migrants currently living in Spain are from Colombia, Peru, and Honduras.

Unlike many other European nations, Spain’s Socialist-led coalition government has consistently highlighted the economic importance of migrants. Spain, which is performing better than many major European economies, is expected to record close to 3 percent economic growth in 2025. Additionally, official figures released on Tuesday show that Spain’s unemployment rate has fallen below 10 percent for the first time since 2008, marking a significant milestone for the country’s economy.