Spain’s extraordinary regularisation process for undocumented migrants closed on 30 June with 1,174,978 applications, information from figures attributed to the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration. That is more than double the government’s initial estimate of roughly 500,000, showing the scale of demand and the administrative challenge ahead. The figure counts applications, not people whose regularisation has been completed.
The programme was established by Royal Decree 316/2026, dated 14 April, and accepted applications from 16 April to 30 June. By mid-June, 900,000 requests had been received, with 360,000 admitted for processing. By 2 July, the number admitted had risen to 609,737, about 51.9% of the total. Online submissions accounted for 83.2% of applications. Around 79.6% were filed through the extraordinary-rootedness route, while 20.4% came from people who had previously sought international protection.
Admission for processing is distinct from provisional authorisation and final approval. During review, provisional status allows applicants to live and work in Spain, while the competent authority has three months to decide each registered case. By early July, about 11,000 applications had reportedly been approved, while many others remained under review. A successful applicant can receive a one-year residence and work permit valid across economic sectors, whether employed or self-employed.
The scheme targeted foreign nationals already living in Spain, including those who had been in the country before 1 January 2026 and met the continuous-residence requirement, with no disqualifying criminal-record or public-security concerns. It aimed to bring undocumented residents and workers into the formal economy, extending access to lawful employment and social-protection contributions. A separate programme figure showed that 159,097 people had affiliated with Social Security by 30 June; that measure is distinct from the number of final permit approvals.
Labour unions and business groups have supported the measure, citing shortages across multiple sectors. Antonio Garamendi, president of the Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE), has argued that Spain needs both workers and training to meet current and future vacancies. The article’s estimate that foreign workers account for 14% of Social Security contributors offers further context for the expected impact of bringing more employment into the formal system.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has warned that Spain could face a 19% drop in GDP by 2050 without migrant labour. His forecast also includes the closure of 90,000 bars and 40,000 classrooms, as well as the loss of 220,000 agricultural businesses. Hundreds of civil organisations and the Catholic Church have supported the initiative. Cáritas and a visit by Pope Leo XIV have reinforced its humanitarian backing, while right-wing and far-right opposition parties have objected to the measure.
Spain’s approach reflects wider demographic and economic pressures. Population growth in recent years has relied heavily on immigration, while birth rates remain among Europe’s lowest. Eurostat puts Spain’s foreign-born population at more than 7.5 million in 2025, or over 15% of residents. Migrant workers are particularly impressive in agriculture and hospitality, with elder care also heavily reliant on them. The government says it aims to address irregular employment and labour needs by formalising the status of people already in Spain. Processing nearly 1.2 million applications will test migration authorities’ capacity in the months ahead.
