MADRID: Spain left-wing government on Tuesday approved a plan to regularise roughly 500,000 undocumented migrants by decree, marking a notable departure from stricter migration policies seen elsewhere in Europe.
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Migration Minister Elma Saiz said the initiative would allow beneficiaries to work “in any sector, in any part of the country,” highlighting the “positive impact” of migration on the economy and society. She added that the government aims to strengthen a migration model rooted in human rights, integration, coexistence, and compatibility with economic growth and social cohesion.
🚨 BREAKING: Spain’s government set to approve decree TODAY legalizing 500,000 undocumented migrants
Migration Minister Elma Saiz confirms: left-wing coalition move to regularize hundreds of thousands already in Spain, allowing work in any sector.
Part of push to fill labor… pic.twitter.com/M1YizlfDFD
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The measure targets migrants who have lived in Spain for at least five months and applied for international protection before December 31, 2025. Applicants must have a clean criminal record, and the scheme will also cover their children already residing in Spain.
The application window is expected to open in April and continue until the end of June. The regularisation will be implemented via decree, bypassing parliamentary approval, where the Socialist-led coalition does not hold a majority.
The plan has sparked criticism from conservative and far-right parties, who warned it could encourage illegal immigration and strain public services. Alberto Nunez Feijoo, head of the Popular Party, described the initiative as “ludicrous” and said that “in Socialist Spain, illegality is rewarded,” vowing to overhaul migration policy if his party gains power.
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The decree represents Spain’s continued commitment to a more inclusive approach to migration, contrasting with tougher policies adopted in countries such as Italy and France. Officials say the move balances humanitarian concerns with the need for skilled labor to support the nation’s economy, while opponents fear it could incentivize further irregular migration.