World Immigration News

Brussels Raises Alarm Over Spain’s Plan to Regularise 500,000 Undocumented Migrants

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Release Date

2026-02-11

Media

VisaHQ

Summary

The European Commission has asked Spain for clarification after the Spanish government announced plans to grant residence permits to about 500,000 undocumented migrants. Brussels is concerned that the move could trigger “secondary movements” if newly regularized migrants travel to other Schengen countries.

Spain’s migration minister argues the measure is a strictly national policy aimed at increasing tax revenues, boosting social security contributions, and providing legal labor for sectors such as construction, agriculture, and elder care. Applicants must prove they were in Spain before the end of 2025 and have no criminal record. However, opposition parties criticize the use of a royal decree without parliamentary approval and are considering legal challenges.

Several EU member states worry the plan could create a pull factor and increase irregular arrivals at Spain’s borders. The European Parliament is set to debate the issue, with political groups divided over its impact.

If implemented, the policy could legalize hundreds of thousands of workers already in the informal economy, benefiting employers and enabling intra-EU corporate transfers. However, companies will need to ensure full payroll and tax compliance. Authorities expect a surge in applications, so employers are advised to prepare documents in advance.

Tags

Spain