Published: 21.04.2026
Spain has opened an extraordinary regularisation procedure for undocumented foreigners and international-protection applicants who were in the country before 1 January 2026 and have remained there continuously for at least five months. Applications are accepted from 16 April to 30 June 2026; admission of an application allows residence and work in Spain for an initial one-year period, subject to the stated requirements.
According to sources, the procedure is not for future movers but for people already in Spain who can document their date of arrival, continuous stay, clean criminal record and one of the additional grounds: work, family circumstances or vulnerability. Applications can be submitted online, while in-person filing requires an appointment; after a positive decision, the applicant must obtain a TIE within one month. The authorisation initially lasts one year and permits work in any sector throughout Spain, after which beneficiaries must move into the ordinary immigration categories. This is highly relevant for undocumented migrants and protection applicants already in the country, but it does not materially change the options for someone only planning to relocate.