MADRID — Approximately 1 million immigrants in Spain are pursuing legalization after the country introduced measures aimed at integrating undocumented foreigners. The initiative, announced in January and launched in April, was set to conclude on Tuesday.
This new law allows immigrants without legal status to obtain a one-year, renewable residence permit, provided they have resided in Spain for at least five months and possess a clean criminal record.
While the Spanish government initially projected that around 500,000 individuals could benefit from this initiative, more than 900,000 applications had been submitted by mid-June.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, known as one of Europe’s leading progressive figures, described this move as “an act of justice and a necessity,” emphasizing the importance of ensuring that individuals already living and working in Spain contribute to the tax system “on equal terms.”
This policy represents a distinct departure from the gradual deportation strategies observed in various regions of the European Union and the United States. Although Spain has previously enacted similar measures, this latest initiative has ignited considerable debate and scrutiny within the nation.
Examining the current immigration measures reveals significant numbers.
900,000 Applications Submitted
As of June 12, the Spanish government reported receiving 900,000 applications from migrants seeking work and residence permits under the temporary program. While initial estimates suggested that around 500,000 undocumented immigrants could be eligible, research from think tanks and Spanish law enforcement has revised that figure closer to 1 million. Immigration experts anticipate that the total number of applicants may well exceed this projection.
360,000 Anticipated Approvals
Government estimates suggest that approximately 360,000 applications will be processed successfully by mid-June, resulting in the issuance of temporary residence and work permits. As the government has three months to finalize all applications submitted by June 30, this number is likely to rise.
30% of Applicants from Colombia
According to the National Institute of Statistics, Colombian nationals comprise 30% of the applicants. This makes them one of the largest immigrant groups in Spain, with over 980,000 Colombian-born individuals residing in the country. Moroccans represent 14% of applicants, while Venezuelans and Peruvians make up 10% and 9%, respectively. Major sectors of Spain’s economy—including agriculture, tourism, and hospitality—heavily rely on immigrant labor from Latin America and Africa.
One in Five Residents Foreign-Born
About one-fifth of Spain’s population is composed of foreign-born residents. In recent decades, the country’s demographic landscape has evolved, with roughly 10 million out of 50 million inhabitants born in other nations. Many of these individuals hail from Colombia, Venezuela, and Morocco, often fleeing violence, political turmoil, or in search of better economic prospects.
Six Major Legalization Efforts
This marks the sixth significant initiative Spain has undertaken to legalize immigrants living and working in the country without authorization. The first three measures were implemented under Socialist Prime Minister Felipe González starting in 1986, while two similar initiatives occurred during the tenure of conservative leader José Aznar in the 2000s. The current application surge surpasses previous efforts, with the 2005 initiative legalizing 576,500 immigrants.
