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Mon, 09 Mar 2026

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 Spain's migrants welcome amnesty: 'It will help us in every way'

Madrid cites humanitarian and economic reasons to give undocumented workers legal status.
Spain's undocumented migrant population is expected to benefit from a new regularization scheme announced by the government, which will grant a one-year renewable residency visa to eligible applicants. The move aims to address humanitarian concerns and provide economic benefits for both migrants and Spain as a whole. The scheme estimates that around 500,000 migrants will be legalized, but a leaked report suggests the actual number could be between 750,000 and 1.1 million. Migrants have faced difficulties in accessing banking products and housing due to their undocumented status, leading to exploitation and financial struggles. Diana, a 40-year-old Peruvian migrant who has been living in Spain for two years, is among those expected to benefit from the scheme. She currently works occasional jobs without residency documents, but hopes that the regularization will provide her with stability and access to better job opportunities. The Spanish government cites humanitarian reasons for the initiative, as well as economic benefits. Foreign workers play a significant role in Spain's economic success, with 14.1% of registered workers being foreigners. The government estimates that half of Spain's economic growth over the past two years has been driven by foreign workers. However, the scheme faces criticism from some quarters, including the conservative People's Party and the far-right Vox party, who argue that it will lead to a "pull" effect and exacerbate existing social issues. The European Commission has also expressed caution, emphasizing the need for countries to ensure that migrants do not use regularisation schemes as a means of residing in other countries unlawfully. Experts point out that previous regularization schemes have been implemented successfully in Spain, with positive economic outcomes. They argue that this initiative will provide many undocumented migrants with the opportunity to work and contribute to the social security system, benefiting both themselves and Spanish society as a whole.