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Spain to Legalize 500,000 Undocumented Migrants in Landmark Decision

Published January 27, 2026, 10:29

Spain is set to legalize approximately 500,000 undocumented migrants, according to Minister of Migration Elma Saiz. The decree will allow migrants to work in any sector and anywhere in the country. The legalization will apply to those who have lived in Spain for at least five months and have applied for international protection before December 31, 2025, as well as their children. The Sanchez government argues that migration is necessary to fill labor shortages and address the aging population, contrasting with the rise of far-right parties in Europe promoting anti-migration policies. Spain has received a large number of irregular migrants, particularly in the Canary Islands, but arrivals have decreased in 2025.