The Spanish government has announced a significant reform to the country’s immigration regulations, aiming to regularise 900,000 migrants over the next three years.
As reported by El Mundo, this initiative simplifies the process of obtaining and renewing residence and work permits while addressing issues such as fraud and exploitation.
Key features of the new migrant regulation
The reform, approved during a recent Cabinet meeting, introduces measures designed to streamline immigration processes and provide greater legal certainty. According to Elma Saiz, Minister of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration, the changes are expected to benefit individuals seeking to establish their lives in Spain and their families.
Among the main updates are:
- Longer validity for permits: Initial residence permits will now last one year, with renewals extended to four years.
- Easier transitions: Migrants will no longer need to leave Spain to transition from temporary to long-term residency.
- Expanded job-seeking visas: Job-seeking visas, previously valid for three months, will now last one year.
- New “second chance” residency: A new category allows those whose residency expired in the last two years to reapply under specific conditions.
The regulation also reduces the time required to apply for social, family, or labour-based residency from three years to two, while making the criteria more flexible.
Seasonal work and labour protections
El Mundo reported that a specialised authorisation for seasonal work was introduced. This includes:
- Enhanced protections for workers, such as written contracts in their native language.
- Improved living and working conditions, monitored from recruitment to employment in Spain.
- The ability to change employers in cases of abuse or other valid reasons, such as crop failures or employer death.
Opportunities for students
The reform simplifies processes for international students, allowing their residence permits to match the duration of their studies. They can also work up to 30 hours a week during their academic programs and transition smoothly to work permits upon graduation.
Family reunification and unregistered partnerships
The regulation extends family reunification to include children up to 26 years old (previously 21). It also recognises unregistered partnerships, enabling individuals to regularise their status by proving a stable relationship.
A broader impact on Spanish society
El Economista noted that Spain’s immigrant population represents a growing portion of its workforce. Around 2.9 million foreign residents currently contribute to the Social Security system, accounting for 13.6% of total contributors.
The government anticipates that 300,000 migrants will be regularised annually, in addition to the 210,000 who obtained residency in 2023. Minister Saiz emphasised that this initiative aims to build an open and prosperous Spain, in line with President Pedro Sánchez’s vision of inclusivity and economic growth.
This regulatory overhaul reflects Spain’s commitment to addressing labour market needs while ensuring the rights and integration of migrants into society.
Also read: Spain will need almost 25 million migrants in the coming decades