Spain has finalized a sweeping amnesty plan aimed at regularizing the status of hundreds of thousands of undocumented migrants, marking a significant shift in Europe’s migration landscape.
Led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, the government described the measure as both “an act of justice” and an economic necessity. The policy allows eligible migrants to apply for one-year temporary residence permits, giving them legal access to employment and the ability to pay taxes.
The plan applies only to those who arrived in Spain before January 1, preventing a surge of new arrivals after its announcement. Applicants must prove at least five months of residence and have no criminal record. After one year, they may seek longer-term work or residency permits, dw.com reports.
Officials argue the initiative will help shrink Spain’s shadow economy while boosting tax revenues, as more migrants transition into formal employment. Applications will open in late April and run through June, with both online and in-person options available.
However, the move has drawn criticism from opposition groups, who warn it could strain public resources. Immigration officials have also expressed concern over whether the system can handle the expected influx of applications.
Despite the backlash, the government insists the policy reflects Spain’s demographic and economic realities, noting that migration has been a key driver of population growth.
With estimates suggesting up to 500,000, or even more, migrants could qualify. The plan is one of the most ambitious regularization efforts in recent years.
