Lorraine Williamson
Spain’s extraordinary migrant regularisation scheme opens this week, but the process is already facing pressure after immigration office staff warned of strike action over workload and staffing levels.
The government says online applications will open on Thursday, 16 April, while the appointment system for in-person applications also opens the same day. Face-to-face attention begins from Monday, 20 April, and applications can be submitted until 30 June 2026.
Who can apply?
The scheme is aimed at foreign nationals already living in Spain in an irregular administrative situation.
According to official guidance from the Ministry of Inclusion, applicants must have been in Spain before 1 January 2026 and must be able to prove at least five months of continuous stay at the time of application. They must also have no criminal record and meet one of the routes set out by the government, such as work, family responsibilities or vulnerability.
The authorisation granted will last for one year and will allow the holder to work anywhere in Spain, in any sector. The process is expected to affect around 500,000 people, although some estimates suggest the number of people who may try to apply could be higher.
Why staff are threatening strike action
The major concern now is whether the administration can cope.
Reuters reports that immigration offices across Spain are threatening strike action from 21 April, warning that the system lacks the staff and resources needed to handle the volume of applications. El País reports that CC OO has called an indefinite strike in Extranjería offices, citing workload, staffing shortages and working conditions.
The strike threat matters because the government is expecting a huge administrative effort in a short period. El País reports that around 750,000 applications could be submitted before the 30 June deadline, while immigration offices are already carrying a backlog of around 180,000 pending files.
To reduce pressure, the government says applications will also be supported through Social Security offices, Correos and registered collaborating organisations, with only a limited number of Extranjería offices handling the bulk of cases.
What documents will people need?
Applicants will need to prove identity, presence in Spain and eligibility under one of the permitted routes.
Official and national guidance says documents may include a passport or identity document, proof of stay such as padrón records, bills, contracts or other evidence, plus a criminal record certificate from the applicant’s country of origin. The criminal record certificate could become one of the most difficult documents for some applicants to obtain quickly.
The government says cases should be resolved within three months, though El País notes that previous processes have often taken longer in practice.
What happens if permission is not granted?
This is one of the most sensitive points.
The regularisation process does not mean every applicant will automatically receive permission to stay and work. Those who fail to meet the requirements, cannot provide the necessary documents or are refused will not receive the one-year authorisation.
Spanish reporting says people who do not obtain permission will remain in Spain in an irregular situation, unless they qualify under another immigration route. That makes the application process crucial, especially for people who have lived in Spain for months but lack strong documentary proof of their stay.
Why this matters beyond immigration
The government has presented the measure as both a social and economic decision.
Spain has an ageing population and labour shortages in sectors such as agriculture, care, hospitality and construction. Supporters argue that regularising people already living and working in Spain will reduce exploitation, bring more workers into the formal economy and increase tax and Social Security contributions.
Opponents argue the measure could strain public services and encourage further irregular migration. The Partido Popular has criticised the process and may challenge it in court, according to Reuters.
The next few days will test the system
The first test comes on 16 April, when online applications and the appointment system open. The second comes on 20 April, when in-person processing begins. The third could arrive just one day later, if immigration office workers move ahead with strike action.
For applicants, the safest advice is to wait for official guidance, gather documents carefully and avoid paying anyone who promises guaranteed approval. For Spain, the bigger question is whether a policy designed to bring order to a long-standing reality can avoid becoming trapped in the very administrative pressure it is trying to resolve.