The Spanish cabinet approved a high-profile immigration legalization proposal on January 27, 2026. This measure originated from a legislative initiative that garnered over 700,000 citizen signatures. The goal is to provide a one-year renewable residency and work permit for hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants already living and working in Spain through an administrative regulation.
Application Window and Processing Times
According to the official plan, the submission window for this regularization application will open on early April 2026 and close on June 30, 2026. Notably, a major breakthrough of this policy is that once the immigration office formally accepts an application (Admitida a trámite), the applicant can legally work without waiting for the final approval, which could take up to three months. Officials estimate the acceptance confirmation process will be completed within 15 days.
Core Application Requirements
Applicants must meet several key conditions to be eligible for this amnesty:
- Proof of Residence: Must be able to prove presence in Spain before December 31, 2025, and have a continuous residence record of at least 5 months prior. This means applicants must have started residing in Spain by July 31, 2025, at the latest. Proof can include various public or private documents such as a municipal registration certificate (padrón), bank statements, or medical records.
- Clean Criminal Record: Applicants need to provide a certificate of no criminal record from Spain and their country of origin. Documents from the country of origin (e.g., China) need to be notarized, translated, and apostilled.
- Eligibility for Asylum Seekers: Individuals who had submitted an asylum application before December 31, 2025, are eligible to apply for legal status through this amnesty program, regardless of whether their application is pending, has been rejected, or approved.
Approved Status and Special Policy for Minors
Successful applicants will receive a one-year legal residence card, which includes a work permit valid nationwide in Spain without sectoral restrictions. After one year, this residency can be renewed within Spain’s regular residency renewal system.
Furthermore, the policy is particularly beneficial for families. If an applicant has minor children residing with them in Spain, their children can simultaneously apply for a residency permit valid for up to five years, providing greater stability for the entire family.
