Spain’s new migrant regularization measure starts this Thursday 16th April 2026.
Starting this Thursday, the 16th, applications can be submitted online, with in-person submissions available from the 20th.
Spain’s new migrant regularization measure, approved by the government in Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting and set to grant residency and work permits to half a million people, officially takes effect on April 16 following its publication in the Official State Gazette. Below are the most important requirements applicants need to know.
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Spain’s new migrant regularization measure starts this Thursday 16th April 2026:
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- The first condition »
- What about criminal records? »
- Asylum seekers »
- Other qualifying pathways »
- Stateless persons excluded »
- How to apply »
- Other Residence Options in Spain »
1) The first condition:
The first condition for undocumented migrants is to prove they arrived in Spain before December 31, 2025, and can show at least five consecutive months of residency.
Beyond the municipal registry certificate (empadronamiento), this continuous stay can also be evidenced through documents such as electricity bills, medical reports, or receipts for local services.
Applications will be accepted until June 30 — a deadline the government maintained from the start, even though social organizations had pushed for an extension. They argue that less than three months is insufficient given challenges like limited resources, bureaucratic hurdles, and language barriers. From Thursday the 16th, online filing begins; from the 20th, in-person applications are also possible.
The permit granted will allow holders to live and work anywhere in the country, either as employees or self-employed, across any sector. The authorization is temporary, valid for one year at most. After that period, those who obtained regularization can apply for one of the standard permits outlined in the Immigration Regulations.
2) What about criminal records?:
Another essential requirement is having no serious criminal record.
Applicants must submit a certificate of criminal records from their country of origin. However, the government is also facilitating access to this document. The rules give migrants one month to present the certificate. If they cannot obtain it in time, the Executive will request it through diplomatic channels over a three-month period. If the certificate still hasn’t arrived after that, the individual gets an extra 15 days to try to secure it on their own. Failing to present the document within that timeframe means losing access to the regularization process.
People in vulnerable situations can also apply, but they must provide proof. Social services can issue vulnerability reports, but only for those already registered on the municipal padron. If an applicant is not registered, they can request the report from social organizations listed in the Immigration Collaborators Register — around 200 such entities nationwide. The government will publish a list to guide applicants, though some organizations have already warned of potential administrative overload.
3) Asylum seekers:
Asylum applicants must demonstrate that they arrived in Spain before January 1, 2026. Any valid supporting document is accepted.
They also need to provide an identity document, whether current or expired. It is not necessary to withdraw the asylum application before seeking this extraordinary regularization. Withdrawal is only required if the person receives a favorable resolution on their regularization request. Asylum seekers who have not yet received a decision on their application or appeal can begin the regularization process without abandoning their international protection claim.
4) Other qualifying pathways:
People who have worked in Spain during their stay or who present a job contract of at least 90 days within a single year are also eligible.
Similarly, those living in Spain with their family unit can apply, provided the family includes school-aged or academically enrolled children, adult children with disabilities who require support or cannot meet their own needs due to health reasons, or first-degree ascendants (parents or grandparents).
During the application period, accompanied minors can obtain residency authorization under more flexible conditions. For children born in Spain, there is no requirement to apply within six months of birth. For those not born in Spain, there is no requirement of two years’ prior stay, nor proof of sufficient economic means or housing from parents or guardians.
5) Stateless persons excluded:
Stateless individuals cannot benefit from this extraordinary regularization, as authorities consider their situation different and requiring a separate path. This exclusion primarily affects the Sahrawi people.
6) How to apply:
Applications are submitted using a form provided by the competent administration and can be filed through any legally recognized registration method: by appointment, at official registries, municipal or regional government offices, or via Correos’ Electronic Virtual Registry (ORVE) service.
Granting the authorization will lead to the closure of any pending expulsion or return proceedings, as well as the revocation of any corresponding order, if one exists.
CLICK-HERE » to start your application today.
7) Other types of residency available in Spain:
- Digital-Nomad visa Spain (Remote worker in Spain)
- Non-Lucrative Visa Spain (Spanish visa non lucrative)
- Student-Visa Permit (Student-Visa & up-to 30 hours work per week)
- Self-Employed Visa Spain (Self employed expats in Spain)
- Visa-Categories in Spain (Arraigo, Special Cases, etc.)
Immigration procedures and immigration regulations change regularly, and it is crucial to stay updated with the most recent information from a reliable source. If you have any questions or concerns about your situation, we advise to consult an immigration authority or legal professional who specializes in immigration matters.
We offer Spanish Residence Services and can assist you with most Spanish legal processes.
Permanent residency is permitted after 5 years of Temporary Spanish Residency through Digital-Nomad, Non-Lucrative, Student-Visa or Self-Employed. This followed by 5 years of permanent residency in Spain and permits Spanish Citizenship applications to obtain a Spanish Passport.
