| Regularization Starts in Spain |
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| ▶ Spain has approved an extraordinary regularization process for migrants already living in the country, potentially benefiting 500,000 to 800,000 people. ▶ The process begins on April 16, 2026 (online), with in-person applications starting April 20, and the final deadline set for June 30, 2026. ▶ It is open to people who were in Spain before January 1, 2026, including both irregular migrants and asylum applicants. ▶ Applicants must prove at least 5 months of continuous stay, have no criminal record, and not pose any risk to public safety or health. ▶ Those approved will receive a 1-year residence and work permit, while minor children can receive a 5-year permit. ▶ The permit allows people to live and work anywhere in Spain, but it is not valid for working or settling in other EU countries. ▶ Applications can be submitted online (24/7) or in person by appointment, with support available from professionals and free assistance from registered organizations. ▶ The residence gained through this process counts toward Spanish nationality, and the time starts from when the application is accepted. |
From today, the undocumented migrants in Spain can apply for the regularization process online. The date of application has already been set to 16 April by the Spanish government.
Recently, Spain has approved an extraordinary administrative regularization process on 14 April for migrants who are already living in the country. This is a significant decision, not only in legal terms but also socially, as it aims to bring clarity and stability to hundreds of thousands of people who are already part of everyday life in Spain.
According to the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, the measure will benefit more than 500,000 people, although some legal analyses suggest that the number could be as high as 800,000. It is, without question, one of the most important migration measures in recent years.
Start and End Dates of Regularization
The entry date of the Royal Decree that regulates this process is April 15, 2026 in the Official State Gazette and it came into force the following day.
From April 16, 2026, migrants can begin submitting their applications online. On that same day, the system for booking appointments for in-person applications will also open. However, in-person services themselves will only begin a few days later, on April 20, 2026.
Both online and in-person applications will remain open until June 30, 2026. This is the final deadline, and there will be no extensions, so applicants must act within this timeframe.
Who Is Eligible for This Regularization?
Two types of undocumented migrants can apply for the regularization process:
- First, those who have applied for international protection (asylum) in Spain before January 1, 2026.
- Second, individuals who are in an irregular administrative situation (undocumented) but were already present in Spain before that same date.
It is important to note that even if an asylum application has been rejected, is still pending, or is under appeal, the person can still apply for this regularization. There is no requirement to withdraw the asylum application before starting this process.
Requirements You Must Meet
To qualify for this regularization, there are two essential conditions that everyone must meet:
- the applicant must prove that they were physically present in Spain before January 1, 2026, and that they have lived in the country continuously for at least five months before submitting their application.
- the applicant must have no criminal record and must not pose any risk to public order, public safety, or public health.
In addition to these general requirements, people who are not asylum applicants must also demonstrate one of three additional conditions. They must either show that they have worked in Spain (as an employee or self-employed), prove that they have family ties such as minor children or dependent relatives, or demonstrate that they are in a vulnerable situation through an official certificate issued and validated by competent authorities.
Type of Residence Permit You Will Get?
Applicants with successfull application will receive a residence and work permit. For adult applicants, this permit will be valid for one year, while for minor children included in a family application, it will be valid for five years.
This permit allows the holder to live and work anywhere in Spain and in any sector. It also provides access to Social Security and healthcare services.
After the initial one-year period, adult applicants must transition into the standard residence categories provided under Spain’s immigration regulations. This ensures a gradual and structured integration into the legal system.
It is important to understand that this permit is valid only within Spain. It does not allow the holder to live or work in other European Union countries.
One of the most important aspects of this process is that the time spent under this permit counts toward applying for Spanish nationality by residence.
Even more importantly, this time is counted from the moment the application is accepted, not from when the permit is granted. This detail can significantly reduce the waiting time for nationality in the future.
Application Process
Applicants can choose between two methods: applying online or applying in person.
Applying Online: The online process is available 24 hours a day from April 16 until the end of the application period. Applications can be submitted personally using an electronic certificate, through authorized representatives registered in the Electronic Registry of Powers of Attorney, through qualified professionals such as lawyers or administrative managers, or through organizations listed in the Registry of Immigration Collaborators.
The online platform, Mercurio, will be accessible through the official website of the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration.
In-Person Application: The in-person process, on the other hand, always requires a prior appointment. Appointments can be scheduled starting April 16 through several methods, including the online portal using the Cl@ve system, a web form (where the system assigns the nearest office and time), or by calling the official number 060.
In-person applications will be accepted starting April 20 and can be submitted at selected locations. These include Immigration Offices in:
- Madrid,
- Alicante,
- Valencia,
- Almería, and
- Murcia.
Social Security offices (at least one per province), and selected Post Offices in provincial capitals and larger municipalities.
The working hours vary depending on the location. Immigration and Social Security offices will operate in the afternoon, typically from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, while Post Offices will operate from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday to Friday.
The appointment system has been carefully designed to avoid overcrowding, with appointments being released gradually. Families can also submit applications together in a single appointment, which simplifies the process.
Required Documents
All applicants must submit a standard set of documents. This includes:
- a completed application form,
- a full copy of a valid identity document, such as a passport, and
- documentation proving that the applicant was in Spain before January 1, 2026.
Furthermore, applicants must also provide:
- Evidence showing that they have lived in Spain continuously for at least five months before applying. This evidence must include personal identification details and must be legally valid.
- Applicants must also submit a criminal record certificate. This must cover Spain, the applicant’s country of origin, and any other country where the applicant has lived in the five years before entering Spain.
All documents must be in the applicant’s name and must clearly include valid dates. Examples of acceptable proof of stay include passport entry stamps, airline tickets, transport tickets within Spain, bank transaction records, rental agreements, and certificates showing participation in training or education.
Support Available During the Process
Although applicants can complete the process themselves, support is widely available. Legal professionals such as lawyers, administrative managers, and social graduates can assist and act as representatives.
In addition, the government has established a Registry of Immigration Collaborators (RECEX), which includes social organizations and unions. These organizations provide assistance free of charge and can also represent applicants during the process.
Communication and Notifications
All communication regarding the application will be carried out through the channel used to submit it. Therefore, applicants must ensure that their contact details, such as phone number, email, and address, are accurate and complete.
If the application is submitted through a representative, that representative will receive all official notifications.
Work Authorization and Social Benefits
Once the administrative procedure officially begins, the applicant is automatically authorized to work anywhere in Spain. At that point, the applicant will also receive a Social Security number (NUSS) and a document confirming access to healthcare.
It is important to understand that simply submitting the application is not enough. The right to work begins only after receiving the official notification that the procedure has started.
Special Cases and Important Clarifications
The following cases are important to note:
- Applicants who already have a pending residence application based on family ties or other exceptional circumstances do not need to take any action. Their existing application process will continue.
- Ukrainian nationals cannot apply through this process because they already have a separate legal framework for protection and residence, with different procedures and no fixed deadline.
- Stateless persons are not a part of this regularization procees, as they get legal status throug a different legal regulation.
Final Steps After Approval
If the applicants gets success in this process, they must apply for the Foreigner Identity Card (TIE) within one month from the National Police Documentation.
Final Thoughts
This regularization process is not just a bureaucratic procedure. It is a structured and carefully designed system that aims to recognize reality, hundreds of thousands of people already living, working, and contributing to Spain.
At the same time, it is a process with clear rules, strict deadlines, and specific requirements. Those who qualify have a real opportunity here, but they must approach it seriously and with proper preparation.