Following the formal approval of Spain’s mass migrant regularisation, here’s what to know about where and how to apply for it.
On Tuesday the Spanish government finally approved the controversial mass regularisation of undocumented migrants in Spain.
The measure has divided opinion in the country and gained international headlines. Opponents see it as a cynical political tool and supporters point to it as a realistic and necessary remedy to surging anti-migrant sentiment across Europe.
Unions have warned that the process could “collapse” immigration offices in the country, something likely to have a knock-on effect and hinder processing times overall for foreigners.
And as you might imagine, the prospect of giving residency and working rights to over 500,000 undocumented migrants — though think tanks estimate it’ll be closer to 800,000 — has also generated a lot of misconceptions and, in some cases, misinformation.
You can read The Local’s myth buster here. The team have also put together a number of different explainers on the measure, which you can find in our immigration coverage here.
Following formal approval, here’s what we know about Spain’s mass regularisation now it’s been confirmed.
READ ALSO: Spain to start mass regularisation of undocumented migrants
When is the application window?
The process for regularising undocumented migrants will begin from Thursday, 16th April, online, and next Monday 20th April, in person, according to the Minister for Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Elma Saiz.
The online service will be available around the clock, but for in-person applications it will be necessary to book an appointment via the Ministry website, a service that will also be available from this Thursday. In-person appointments will begin from Monday 20th April.
Is there a deadline?
Yes. Anyone interested in taking part in migration amnesty has two and a half months to do so, that is, until 30th June.
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What are the requirements?
Pretty much as expected.
Saiz confirmed that the requirements are: being in an irregular legal situation, having lived in Spain since 1st January 2026, and having resided in Spain continuously for at least five months prior to the date of application.
It is also an “essential” requirement to have no criminal record and not to pose a threat to public order, public safety or public health.
Applicants must request a criminal record certificate from their country of origin or from any country where they have resided during the five years immediately preceding their entry to Spain.
If you do not receive the certificate within a month, you may ask the government to request it through diplomatic channels within a period of three months, during which time the application process will be suspended.
The request must be made in Spanish and the official language of the country of origin, and must be accompanied by proof of the previous request made by the person concerned.
If this certificate can’t be obtained, you will not be allowed to benefit from the mass regularisation.
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Where are applications taken?
Both online and in person.
Applications can be submitted online at any time between 16th April and 30th June using an electronic certificate and your NIE, or in person from Monday 20 April.
To be seen in person, you will need to book an appointment from this Thursday 16th via the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration website, using the Cl@ve system, via a web form, or by calling 060, with support available in Spanish from Monday to Friday, 09.30–14.00 and 16.30–19.30.
Applicants may also visit immigration offices in certain provinces (Madrid, Alicante, Valencia, Almería and Murcia), social security offices or the Social Security treasury offices.
You can also apply at Correos post office branches in provincial capitals and towns with more than 50,000 inhabitants.
Which documents do I need?
All applicants must submit the relevant application form which will be available to download from the ‘Regularisation portal’ website.
They’ll also need the criminal record certificate, a complete copy of the passport (expired passports are acceptable), registration card or travel document recognised as valid in Spain, and documents proving that they were in Spain before 1 January 2026.
Examples of documents that prove prior residence in Spain include an entry stamp in a passport, named airline tickets, proof of bank transactions carried out at branches within Spain, rental agreements or transport tickets for journeys within the country.
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How long is the residency valid for?
The permit will be valid for an initial period of one year.
Once that’s elapsed, applicants must transition to the standard residency categories set out in Spain’s immigration legislation.
The regularisation process provides special protection for minors, however, granting them an initial residence permit for five years.
READ ALSO: Can unregistered Brits in Spain get residency under new regularisation?
