The Spanish government announced it will approve a decree to regularize the status of thousands of migrants already living in the country. Migration Minister Elma Saiz said the initial estimate could reach around fifty thousand people. According to the minister, the aim of the measure is to recognize and provide legal stability to those who are already in Spain, offering legal guarantees, job opportunities, and full access to rights.
Once regularized, beneficiaries will be allowed to work in any sector and anywhere in the country. The decree is intended for individuals who have been living in Spain for at least five months and who applied for international protection before December 31, 2025. The measure also includes the children of applicants who are already residing in Spain. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez defended the migration policy as a necessary response to Spain’s structural challenges. He highlighted labor shortages across multiple sectors and the impact of an aging population on the pension system and the welfare state.
The government also emphasized the positive effects of migration on the economy and long-term social sustainability, stressing that the initiative does not represent an open-door policy but rather a solution for people who are already part of Spanish society. The proposal has sparked strong reactions from opposition parties. Vox lawmaker José María Figaredo voiced firm opposition, criticizing the measure as excessive and accusing the government of using migration policy for ideological purposes.
Meanwhile, opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo of the conservative Popular Party questioned the timing of the decree, suggesting it was designed to divert attention from other recent issues and to satisfy the government’s left-wing parliamentary allies.
With this proposal, migration has once again moved to the center of Spanish political debate, highlighting two opposing visions: one that prioritizes integration and long-term economic needs, and another that warns about the social and political impact of such policies.
