Overview
- Spain’s Council of Ministers approved the royal decree on Tuesday, opening online applications on Thursday and in-person filings on April 20.
- Applicants must have arrived before Jan. 1, 2026, prove at least five months of residence, and show a clean criminal record.
- Successful applicants receive a one-year residency and work permit that can be renewed or converted to a standard status after the first year.
- The People’s Party plans a court challenge and Vox vows to oppose the measure, while immigration staff threaten strikes over a lack of resources.
- Authorities will take applications through selected immigration centers, 60 social security buildings, and 371 post offices until June 30, with officials expecting about 500,000 eligible and analysts estimating up to 840,000 undocumented residents nationwide.