Photo credit: Bloomberg
Spain has announced it will grant legal status to 500,000 undocumented migrants, in a move that goes against a trend of anti-immigration rhetoric and policies in the United States and much of Europe.
CNN reports that the move, announced Tuesday, is aimed at reducing labour exploitation in Spain’s underground economy. The country’s central bank and the United Nations have previously said that Spain needs around 300,000 migrant workers a year to sustain its welfare state.
“Today is a historic day for our country,” Spain’s immigration minister Elma Saiz told a press conference. “We are strengthening a migration mod el based on human rights, integration, coexistence, and compatibility with economic growth and social cohesion.”
The presidency has said the measure will allow a “dignified” life for migrants.
Foreigners who arrived in the country before December 31, 2025 and can prove they have been living in the country for at least five months will be granted legal residency of up to one year and work permits valid for any sector and throughout the country. They will need to prove they have no criminal record.
People will be able to apply from the beginning of April until June 30, 2026.
