Spain’s immigration system now handles over 1 million applications, with individuals from Latin America making up 67% of this figure.
Published July 2, 2026
Approximately 1.2 million undocumented immigrants are seeking legal status in Spain amid increased scrutiny on illegal immigration across Europe.
Under the leadership of Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who advocates for more open immigration policies, the government initiated this significant plan in April. This move comes as neighboring European nations tighten their immigration measures in response to growing pressure from far-right political factions.
Statistical Overview of Applications
From mid-April to June 30, when the application period concluded, a cumulative total of 1,174,978 applications were filed, with over 600,000 already processed, as revealed by Secretary of State for Migration Pilar Cancera during a news conference in Madrid.
Notably, Latin America represents 67% of these applications, with Colombian nationals comprising 25.9% of the total. Following that, applicants from Africa accounted for 22.9% of the submissions.
Among the most represented nationalities, Morocco contributed 13.3%, while Venezuela and Peru accounted for 11.8% and 8.8%, respectively.
The demographic profile of applicants shows that the majority are relatively young, with 80% of them under 45 years old. Of these applicants, 57% identify as male and 43% as female.
It is essential to note that the total number of applications does not guarantee that all applicants will achieve legal status. According to government forecasts from April, roughly 500,000 individuals are expected to qualify for regularization.
Legal Requirements and Processing Timeline
To qualify, applicants must demonstrate a clean criminal record and prove residency in Spain for at least five consecutive months prior to January 1. Authorities are required to process these applications within three months, after which they will determine whether to grant work and residency permits, which would be valid solely in Spain.
Prime Minister Sánchez has emphasized the positive impacts of immigration and large-scale regularization plans, particularly in labor-intensive sectors like construction, which are in dire need of expanding their workforce.
He stated that without immigration, Spain’s GDP could potentially decline by 19% by 2050, a scenario that would lead to the closure of approximately 90,000 bars and the disappearance of about 220,000 farms, among other significant economic impacts.
Political Reactions and Controversies
While Spain’s business leaders have largely endorsed this immigration initiative, conservative and far-right opposition parties have expressed significant frustration. Santiago Abascal, leader of the far-right Vox party, condemned the plan as an “invasion.”
“Currently, over a million newcomers are competing with Spaniards for jobs, housing, and public resources. This is an invasion and a betrayal,” Abascal asserted on X.
