Regularization of Homeless Foreigners in Barcelona Hampered by Bureaucracy and Lack of Documents. In Barcelona, homeless foreigners face difficulties obtaining documents needed for legalization. Bureaucratic hurdles and lack of a permanent address further complicate the process. Some risk being excluded from the program.
In Barcelona, foreigners without permanent housing find themselves in the most vulnerable position when attempting to go through the extraordinary regularization procedure. As El País notes, the lack of a stable address and the difficulty of collecting the necessary documents make this process almost inaccessible for them. At the Arrels center, where lawyers advise the homeless, they encounter situations daily where even basic documents become an insurmountable obstacle.
One such case is the story of a young Algerian named Mohamed. Despite managing to obtain temporary registration without an address and gather some documents, the key certificates from Algeria require a complicated legalization process. Since the agreement on mutual recognition of documents between Algeria and Spain only comes into effect in the summer, and the acceptance of legalization documents has already closed, many Algerians are unable to provide the required certificates in time. The impossibility of obtaining an apostille or the necessary stamps at the consulate, which is either not operating or not issuing new appointments, adds further difficulties.
The center's lawyers emphasize: even if some documents can be assembled, having a criminal record or ongoing cases in Spain or other EU countries, as in Mohamed's case, drastically reduces the chances of success. Another visitor to the center, Moussa, also from Algeria and previously living in Germany, found himself in a similar situation. He studied the requirements on his own using ChatGPT, but faced issues because German police clearance certificates are only accepted in translation, and the lack of a permanent address makes it difficult to receive notifications from authorities.
According to Arrels specialists, the main problem for homeless people is not only lack of information, but also the impossibility of proving extended residence in Spain. Historical registration at a place of residence is often unavailable, and alternative evidence—such as money transfers home, medical visits, or bills—is not always accepted. As a result, many risk being left out of the legalization process despite having the formal right to apply.
Barcelona authorities are trying to simplify access to registration without an address, which allows homeless individuals to at least receive basic services like healthcare. However, in practice, this is often insufficient for successfully completing the legalization procedure. Lawyers note that every new layer of bureaucracy increases the risk of denial, especially for those who cannot provide a complete set of documents or have legal issues.
At the same time, other regions of Spain are also experiencing difficulties with access to administrative services for vulnerable groups. For example, in Torrejón de Ardoz, the authorities have recently invested significant funds in infrastructure and security to improve quality of life and facilitate access to city services, as covered in detail in the article on new measures to improve the urban environment.
Reference: As of 2026, several legalization programs for foreigners are in force in Spain, but for homeless migrants they remain largely inaccessible due to bureaucratic requirements. Registration without an address provides access to basic services but does not guarantee success when applying for a residence permit. In large cities such as Barcelona, specialized support centers operate, but their resources are limited and the number of people in need is growing.
