Spain’s left wing government has sparked a furious political backlash with its controversial plan offer up to half a million undocumented migrants permanent residency.
The scheme, which is due to come into force in April, will grant eligible migrants up to one year’s legal residency along with the right to work.
Responding to critics of his governments policy, the country’s socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said that Spain was choosing the path of ‘dignity, community and justice’.
The Express reports: Permits will be renewable, with a pathway to full citizenship after 10 years-or sooner for migrants from Latin America and recognised refugees. Critics warn the move will accelerate an “invasion”, deepen the housing crisis and overwhelm public services. Because Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez‘s fragile coalition lacks a parliamentary majority, the reform will be pushed through by royal decree, bypassing a bill that has stalled in Spain’s divided legislature.
It marks the country’s first large-scale migrant regularisation in two decades and sharply diverges from the tougher immigration stance now dominant across much of Europe and the United States.
Under the plan, undocumented migrants who arrived in Spain before the end of 2025 can prove at least five months’ residence and have no criminal record and will be eligible.
Children will receive five-year permits. The government estimates about 500,000 people could benefit, though some organisations put the number of undocumented migrants closer to 800,000.
The announcement has sparked scenes of urgency on the ground. Hundreds of Pakistani nationals were seen queueing outside the consulate in Barcelona last week to obtain criminal record certificates, a key requirement for applications.
