Spain to grant residency to 300,000 undocumented migrants annually

Spain is set to implement a groundbreaking policy granting residency and work permits to approximately 300,000 undocumented migrants each year over the next three years. The initiative, announced by Migration Minister Elma Saiz on Wednesday, seeks to address the nation’s aging workforce while upholding its commitment to human rights and economic prosperity.

Starting in May, the policy will offer undocumented migrants a legal pathway to integrate into Spain’s labor market. “This is not just about cultural wealth or respect for human rights; it’s also about prosperity,” Saiz said in an interview with Radio Nacional de España. “Today, we can say Spain is a better country.”

Spain requires around 250,000 additional foreign workers annually to sustain its welfare system. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has frequently highlighted the role of progressive migration policies in addressing Spain’s low birthrate and bolstering its workforce.

The new measures, approved by Sánchez’s leftist coalition government, streamline procedures for short- and long-term visas and extend job-seeker visas from three months to one year. The policy also provides greater labor protections, aiming to combat exploitation in Spain’s underground economy, where many undocumented migrants currently work in low-wage sectors such as agriculture, caregiving, and delivery services.

“This policy will help prevent abuse and exploitation, while combating mafias and fraudulent practices,” Saiz emphasized.

Spain’s approach stands in stark contrast to the tightening border policies of other European nations. In 2023, the country issued 1.3 million visas and welcomed over 54,000 migrants who arrived by sea or land, according to the Interior Ministry. However, the exact number of undocumented migrants living in Spain remains unclear.

Many migrants risk perilous sea journeys to reach Spain’s Canary Islands, often departing from West African nations like Mali, Senegal, and Mauritania. In August, Sánchez visited three West African countries to address irregular migration and explore long-term solutions.

Spain’s economy, among the fastest-growing in the European Union, has rebounded strongly post-pandemic, supported in part by a surge in tourism. The government sees integrating migrants as a vital step toward sustaining this growth while safeguarding vulnerable workers from exploitation.

With this policy, Spain reaffirms its reputation as a nation open to migration, prioritizing both economic stability and human dignity.