Spain’s government has approved a plan to grant legal status to around 500,000 undocumented migrants, enabling them to formally join the workforce.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the initiative as “an act of justice” as well as a practical necessity for the country.
In a letter to citizens shared on social media, the Socialist leader said the measure aims “to acknowledge the reality of nearly half a million people who already form part of our everyday lives”.
However, the conservative opposition People’s Party has vowed to try to block the policy, arguing it rewards illegal migration and could encourage further arrivals.
Under the proposal, eligible migrants will receive a one-year renewable residence permit.
Applicants must show they have lived in Spain for at least five months and possess a clean criminal record. The application window runs from 16 April to the end of June.
Sánchez said migrants have helped “build the rich, open and diverse Spain that we are and to which we aspire”.
He also argued that migrant labour is essential to support Spain’s economy and public services, especially as the country’s population continues to age.
He added that the policy also reflects Spain’s own history of emigration in search of better opportunities.
According to think tank Funcas, Spain currently has about 840,000 undocumented migrants, most of them from Latin America.
“This is going to benefit a lot of people, give them access to work and to a better quality of life,” said Ricardo, a Bolivian graphic designer who has struggled to secure stable employment and intends to apply. “And it means more money for the Spanish state and more workers will be legally available for employers.”
The opposition disputes the figures, claiming up to one million people could qualify for the scheme, and has branded the proposal an “outrage”.
The Catholic Church, however, has expressed support for the legislation.
The move comes as several European countries tighten immigration controls, while Spain itself has previously carried out regularisation drives under both Socialist and PP governments.
The most recent took place in 2005, when 577,000 people were granted residency under a Socialist administration.
