Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez speaks during a press conference as part of the European Council meeting gathering the 27 EU leaders to discuss Ukraine, European defence, recent developments in the Middle East, competitiveness, housing and migration, in Brussels on October 23, 2025. NICOLAS TUCAT / AFP
Spain's left-wing government approved on Tuesday, January 27, a plan to regularize around 500,000 undocumented migrants by decree, the country's latest break with harsher policies elsewhere in Europe. Migration Minister Elma Saiz the beneficiaries would be able to work "in any sector, in any part of the country," and extolled "the positive impact" of migration.
"We are talking about estimations, probably more or less the figures may be around half a million people," she told public broadcaster RTVE. Saiz said at a news conference after Tuesday's cabinet meeting that "we are strengthening a migration model based on human rights, integration, coexistence, and compatible with economic growth and social cohesion."
The measure will affect those living in Spain for at least five months and who applied for international protection before December 31, 2025. Applicants must have a clean criminal record. The regularization will also apply to their children who already live in Spain. The application period is expected to open in April and continue until the end of June.
