How to apply for Spain's migrant regularisation process

Spain's extraordinary migrant regularisation officially comes into force this week, following its approval by the Spanish cabinet on Tuesday, April 14. The move, presented as a way to recognise the rights of people already living in Spain, was authorised through a royal decree after a citizen-led initiative gathered over 700,000 signatures.

The initiative updates and expands the framework for regularisation, setting out the conditions under which migrants can obtain residence and work permits. Authorities estimate that up to 500,000 people across Spain, including an estimated 120,000–150,000 in Catalonia, could benefit from the process.

The approval earlier this week puts into effect measures that had previously been under discussion and clarifies how the process will be implemented.

Applications must be submitted by June 30, 2026. The latest decree introduces updated criteria and formalises the timeline for applications. 

Migrants who were in Spain before the end of 2025 and have remained in the country for several months will be eligible to apply, provided they have no criminal record.

The government has framed the reform as a response to ongoing labor shortages, as well as a way to reduce irregular employment by integrating undocumented workers into the formal economy.

The regularisation scheme grants successful applicants a temporary residence and work permit, typically valid for one year, allowing them to live and work legally in any sector and any location in Spain.

How the process works

Applications can be submitted from April 16 online, and from April 20 in person, providing proof of residence in Spain. Accepted documents include municipal registration certificates (empadronament), medical records, utility bills, or money transfer receipts.

Applicants must prove they have lived continuously in Spain for at least five months before December 31, 2025. Individuals who have applied for international protection (asylum seekers) can also apply, provided their application was submitted before that date.

In addition, applicants must have a clean criminal record, both in Spain and abroad. Authorities have described this as an "essential requirement," adding that applicants must also not pose a threat to public order, public safety, or public health.

Under the new rules, migrants will initially have one month to submit a criminal record certificate from their country of origin. If they are unable to obtain the document within that timeframe, the Spanish government may request it through diplomatic channels.

If difficulties persist, applicants will be granted additional time to provide the documentation, potentially extending the effective deadline for completing applications into mid-October. 

Once an application is accepted for processing, applicants are immediately granted temporary residence and work rights for one year, allowing them to live and work legally in Spain, offering security for both workers and employers. At the same time, any ongoing deportation procedures are suspended.

After the first year, beneficiaries transition into one of Spain's standard residence permit categories, such as work or family reunification permits, under existing immigration regulations.

The process also covers migrants' children under 18 already living in Spain. These minors will receive a residence permit valid for five years.

Compared to previous systems, the updated framework aims to simplify administrative procedures and expand access for those eligible.

Impact in Catalonia

Catalonia is expected to be one of the regions most affected by the measure, given its large migrant population and demand for labor in sectors such as agriculture, hospitality, construction, and care work.

Organizations working with migrants have welcomed the initiative, pointing to its potential to improve working conditions and reduce exploitation, while also warning of possible administrative challenges during implementation.

The Catalan government is also working to expand the supply of Catalan language learning places by around 25,000 to support the integration of migrants under the new regularisation scheme.

Coinciding with the launch of the regularisation process expected to generate hundreds of thousands of applications, immigration offices' staff unions have called a strike starting on April 21 to demand more resources.

The CCOO trade union supports the strike over workload and staffing concerns, but UGT has refused to join it, arguing it has "electoral overtones" and calling for continued negotiations with the Spanish government instead.