Undocumented migrants in Spain have welcomed a government proposal to grant legal residency to hundreds of thousands of foreign nationals, a move officials say could strengthen the country’s workforce and provide stability for migrants living without documentation.
The plan, announced by the government led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, is expected to legalise the status of at least 500,000 migrants through a special regularisation programme.
Under the scheme, eligible applicants will receive a one-year renewable residency permit, allowing them to work legally, access housing and banking services, and contribute to the national tax system.
Applications for the programme are scheduled to open in April and will run until the end of June.
Migrants seeking legal status must prove they have been living in Spain for at least five months and must not have a criminal record.
Many undocumented migrants say the initiative could transform their lives after years of working informally with limited legal protections.
Diana, a migrant from Peru who moved to Spain two years ago, said the lack of residency papers had forced her to take irregular jobs instead of pursuing a career in tourism.
“Working without residency documents is hard because employers can change agreements and sometimes pay less than promised,” she said, describing the stress and vulnerability many undocumented migrants face.
Spanish officials say the policy is partly motivated by humanitarian concerns but also reflects economic realities.
Labour Minister Elma Saiz said foreign workers have played a key role in the country’s economic growth, noting they currently make up 14.1% of Spain’s 22 million registered workers.
“Foreign workers play a very important role in Spain’s macroeconomic success, GDP growth and strong labour market,” Saiz said.
Government figures indicate that migrant workers are especially vital in sectors such as agriculture, hospitality and elderly care.
ore than 250,000 foreign workers are formally registered in agriculture alone.
Farmers’ organisations have largely supported the proposal.
Francisco José García Navarrete, representing the ASAJA farmers’ association in Madrid, said migrant labour is essential to maintaining agricultural production.
“If we didn’t have immigrant workers it would be a problem for us,” he said, adding that the sector supports legalisation as long as it results in stable long-term employment contracts.
However, the plan has sparked criticism from opposition parties. Conservative leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo argued that the proposal highlights what he described as the government’s failure to control immigration.
Far-right party leader Santiago Abascal also warned that the policy could encourage more migrants to attempt entering Spain.
Spanish authorities have rejected those claims, saying the programme will run for a limited period and will not create incentives for further irregular migration.
The initiative comes as many European countries tighten immigration policies.
France and Germany have introduced stricter residency rules, while Italy has taken measures to block migrant arrivals by sea.
Despite the political debate, immigration experts say the programme could have significant economic and social benefits.
Immigration lawyer Pilar Rodríguez said the policy could help thousands of migrants emerge from the informal economy while also strengthening Spain’s social security system.
“This will change the lives of a lot of people,” she said. “It will allow migrants to contribute fully to society while helping sustain Spain’s economy.”
