Spain stands out as an exception amidst the intensified immigration crackdowns in the United States and the border closures in European countries. In a move diverging from the trend, Spain’s left-wing government recently passed a royal decree to regularize hundreds of thousands of undocumented individuals residing and working in the country. To qualify for a renewable one-year residence permit, applicants must demonstrate a clean record and prove residency in Spain for at least five consecutive months prior to December 31, 2025.
Although the exact number of undocumented residents in Spain remains undisclosed, it is estimated that between half a million to one million individuals could benefit from this initiative. The government views this measure as a solution to address labor shortages in the flourishing economy. A 36-year-old Honduran living in Madrid without legal status expressed his relief and excitement about the opportunity to regularize his situation under the new program. Despite facing challenges working odd jobs to support his family back in Honduras, he sees this as a beacon of hope for a better future.
The majority of undocumented migrants in Spain, approximately 90%, hail from Latin American countries like Colombia, Peru, and Honduras. Many Latin Americans opt for Spain due to its linguistic and cultural familiarity, with a notable increase in arrivals following shifts in U.S. immigration policies. The influx of immigrants has played a significant role in Spain’s economic growth, which recorded a 2.8% increase in 2025 and saw unemployment drop below 10%, marking a recovery from the previous economic crisis.
The regularization plan has garnered support from employers grappling with a persistent labor shortage, particularly in sectors like construction. The initiative echoes a similar move in 2005 when around 600,000 undocumented individuals were regularized for economic reasons, leading to improved job prospects and tax contributions. The recent push for regularization gained momentum during the pandemic, with over 700,000 citizens advocating for the regularization of migrants working under precarious conditions.
Apart from addressing labor shortages, the regularization measure aims to bolster public finances by providing access to healthcare for undocumented individuals. The move is anticipated to curb unfair competition among businesses and unlock new professional avenues for immigrant workers with diverse skill sets. However, the surge in regularization applications poses a logistical challenge for the Spanish immigration system, which is already strained and may struggle to process the influx of requests within the stipulated timeframe.
While the government aims to streamline the regularization process, the opposition voices concerns over potential strains on public services and portrays the measure as an “invasion.” Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez defended the initiative as a step towards dignity and justice, emphasizing the importance of recognizing rights. Despite facing criticism, the regularization plan offers hope to undocumented individuals like the Honduran worker, who envisions a brighter future for himself and his family through legal status in Spain.