Madrid, Jan 28, (dpa/GNA) – Spain’s left-wing government has initiated the legalization of the residency status of around 500,000 immigrants, after the Cabinet decided on the move, government spokeswoman Elma Saiz said at a televised press conference on Tuesday.
“We are strengthening a migration model based on human rights,” said Saiz, who is also the minister for social affairs and migration.
Spain is taking a different course from many other Western countries, especially the United States under President Donald Trump, who wants to deport all foreigners without legalized status.
The decision by the Spanish government stipulates that all immigrants who can prove they have been residing in Spain before December 31, 2025, and have not committed any crimes will be granted a provisional residence permit with immediate work authorization upon application. After one year, this can be converted into a regular residence permit.
The government opted to implement the measure by decree after a corresponding legislative initiative became stalled in the parliamentary process and was unlikely to have found a majority.
The conservative People’s Party (PP) and the right-wing populist Vox warn of potential political risks and burdens on the labour market as well as the social security systems.
Spain has experienced a significant increase in immigration in recent years.
According to recent data from the national statistics office INE, around 9.8 million people who were born abroad lived in the country in 2025 – nearly 20% of the total population.
The largest groups of foreign origin came from Morocco, Colombia, Venezuela, Romania and Ecuador.
GNA