In an effort to boost the country's economy, Spain has just announced the upcoming adoption of a plan to regularize half a million undocumented immigrants. The measure is expected to take effect as early as April.

A new economic boost? The Spanish government is preparing to adopt a plan to regularize undocumented immigrants that could benefit 500,000 people. This measure would allow undocumented immigrants who have been in Spain for at least five months and arrived before December 31st to be regularized and to "work in any sector, anywhere in the country," Elma Saiz explained on Tuesday, January 27th, on national public television.

"From April onwards, all applications can be submitted until June 30th," added the government spokesperson and Minister of Social Security and Migration.

The minister explained that this new measure would "recognize and give dignity, and offer guarantees, opportunities and rights to people who are already in our country."

A government in favor of a welcoming policy

To facilitate implementation, the government of Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez adopted a "royal decree," a regulation provided for in the constitution that allows bypassing a vote in Parliament.

This reform follows a popular initiative signed by more than 600 people and supported by some 900 associations, demanding the exceptional regularization of all undocumented immigrants in Spain.

In contrast to the hardening of immigration policies seen in many European Union countries, the left-wing Spanish government has adopted a more open migration policy. Nearly 37,000 irregular migrants entered Spain in 2025, making it one of the three main entry points for immigration into Europe, along with Italy and Greece.