Spain opens up chance: hundreds of thousands of migrants receive residence permit!

Spain opens up chance: hundreds of thousands of migrants receive residence permit!

From May 21, 2025, hundreds of thousands of illegally living immigrants in Spain can hope for a residence permit. This is the result of a comprehensive reform of migration policy that aims to simplify and accelerate the granting of residence and work permits for migrants. It is estimated that around 900,000 illegal immigrants could benefit from the new provisions. Spain's Minister of Migration Elma Saiz emphasizes the need to defend this path in Brussels.

The reform, which is initially set for three years, aims to close the gap on the job market. There is an urgent need for workers, especially in sectors such as gastronomy, care, agriculture and construction. Currently, up to 446,000 migrants live in Spain without a legal residence permit.

easier application procedures and legalizations

According to the new provisions, illegal immigrants only have to live in Spain for two years in order to be able to make applications for a residence permit. An “extraordinary regularization procedure” should enable around 470,000 illegal immigrants to obtain a legal residence and work permit by the end of 2025. In addition, family reunification for migrants is facilitated; Relatives can edit their applications from Spain.

The reform enables migrants to register both as an independent and as an employee, which means that they are entitled to additional labor rights. Job seekers receive a visa that can be extended from three months to one year. The initiative is part of the efforts to relieve the tense labor market due to the aging of the population. Spain needs around 250,000 registered foreign workers annually to maintain its welfare state.

criticism and social challenges

Nevertheless, there are also critical voices on these new regulations. Critics, including refugee organizations, complain that the measures do not go far enough. Migration policy remains a explosive topic, especially in regions such as the Canary Islands as well as Ceuta and Melilla. Surveys show that illegal migration is one of the biggest social problems in Spain, and the government is under pressure to find solutions.

The challenges are complex: in addition to the integration of migrants into society, it is also important to combat discrimination and create the same opportunities for children of immigrants. Nros play an important role here and are involved in educational, health and integration projects.

Overall, this reform is part of a long -term strategy of regulating migration in Spain and at the same time strengthening the country's economic basis. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is also understood to mean migration policy as an answer to the country's low birth rate, while Spain has one of the highest recording rates for irregular migrants in Europe.

For further details on this important development in Spanish migration policy, we refer to the reporting of vienna.at , bpb.de and Euronews.