Spain launches a major legalization process for foreigners residing in the country without documents. This decision impacts not only the migrants themselves, but also the economy, labor market, and social sector. According to El Pais, authorities expect the new procedure to allow around 500,000 people to gain legal status, potentially changing the labor market dynamics and reducing the level of informal employment.
The government has approved a special decree that changes the rules for foreigners living in Spain without official status. They will now have the chance to obtain a one-year residence and work permit. After this period, they can transition to other types of permits as provided by law. Authorities promise that the document processing will be as fast as possible, and access to healthcare and social services will become easier.
Application procedure
The application period opens on April 16 and runs until June 30. Applications can be submitted both in person and online. For remote applications, a dedicated Mercurio platform will be available on the websites of the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migrations, as well as the Ministry of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory. The online submission is available 24/7, which is especially convenient for those who work irregular hours or cannot visit the office.
In-person applications will require an appointment in advance. Starting April 16, appointments can be made through the ministry’s website or by calling 060. Document submission at offices will begin on April 20. Not all branches will accept applications—a list of available offices is expected to be published separately. Additionally, documents can be submitted at certain Correos branches and at social security offices that will be specially prepared to accept applications.
Who is eligible
Foreign nationals who have been living in Spain for at least five months before January 1, 2026, will be eligible for legalization. It is important that applicants have no criminal record in Spain or in their country of origin, and pose no threat to public order. Applicants will need to confirm their residence in the country through any official or private documents: census registration, utility bills, rental agreements, transport passes, or other verifiable paperwork.
Additionally, applicants must prove employment ties, even if the work was informal, or demonstrate vulnerable circumstances, or that they live with family members who are minors or dependents. The procedure also applies to those who applied for international protection before the end of 2025, regardless of the outcome.
Documents and deadlines
To apply, you will need a valid or expired passport, or another identification document. It is important to confirm the absence of any criminal record. If it is not possible to obtain a certificate from your country of origin, you can ask the Spanish authorities to request it through diplomatic channels. This process may take up to three months, and if the document is still not received, the applicant will have another 15 days to obtain it independently. Without this step, it will not be possible to participate in legalization.
Authorities expect that no more than 15 days will pass from submitting a complete set of documents to receiving a work permit. However, lawyers note that in practice, the process can take up to six months or longer, especially if additional verification of information or documents is required. The official response time from the administration is three months.
What the new status provides
Those who receive a permit will be able to work legally in any field and any region of Spain. The document is valid for one year, after which it is possible to switch to other types of permits provided by law. Applicants’ children residing in Spain will also be able to obtain legal status for up to five years. This grants access to healthcare, education, and other social services.
An application can be submitted not only by the foreign national themselves, but also by their representative—a lawyer, social worker, or an employee of one of the 150 organizations registered as migration assistants. This approach is designed to simplify the process for those who do not speak Spanish or are unfamiliar with bureaucratic procedures.
In recent years, Spain has actively introduced digital services for public administration. For example, cameras and QR codes were recently introduced in Madrid to verify electronic documents during elections, which, according to russpain.com, increased transparency and trust in the process. Similar digital solutions are now being implemented for migration procedures, aiming to speed up application processing and reduce the workload on offices.
In recent years, Spain has already run campaigns to legalize migrants, but such a large-scale initiative is the first of its kind in a long time. In 2005, the country legalized hundreds of thousands of people, helping reduce informal employment and boosting public revenues. At that time, the process took several months and was marked by queues at offices. Now, authorities are focusing on digitalization and streamlined procedures to avoid past mistakes and accelerate the integration of new residents.
