Weekly update on July 2, 2026: Spain's migrant regularization closes with 1 million+ applications — double the forecast

Regularization closes at 1 million+ applications — what happened and what comes next

Spain's extraordinary regularization program for undocumented migrants and asylum seekers closed to new applicants on Tuesday, June 30, 2026. By the deadline, more than one million submissions had been received — more than double the government's original estimate of 500,000 beneficiaries when the program was announced in January 2026.

To qualify, applicants must demonstrate no criminal record and prove they lived in Spain for at least five months before December 31, 2025, or that they had sought international protection before that date. Successful applicants receive a residence and work permit initially valid for one year. The largest applicant groups by nationality are Colombians (30%), Moroccans (14%), and Venezuelans (10%).

Authorities now have a three-month period to review applications. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, speaking in Madrid on June 30, also unveiled a €500 million 'integration and citizenship' plan to support migrant integration. He argued that without immigration, Spain's GDP would be 19% lower by 2050.

The program faces active legal challenges. The PP-governed regional governments of Valencia and Aragón have lodged appeals against the regularization decree, and a court announced on June 30 that it is considering asking the European Court of Justice whether aspects of the decree conflict with EU law. This creates meaningful legal risk: a ruling against the program could delay or alter the terms under which permits are issued. Residents and investors relying on a regularized workforce should monitor court developments over the coming months.

Democratic Memory Law: 544,722 citizenships granted, 1.85 million applications still pendi

As of March 31, 2026, Spain has granted 544,722 citizenships under the 2022 Democratic Memory Law, which opened a nationality pathway for descendants of those exiled during the Spanish Civil War and the Franco dictatorship. Of those approved, 306,000 individuals are already registered in the civil registry.

The scale of demand far exceeded expectations: 2.4 million people requested consular appointments, 1.2 million formally submitted applications, and roughly 650,000 applications remain in active processing with an estimated 1.2 million more awaiting review. The application window, originally set for two years from the law's October 2022 entry into force, was extended and ultimately closed in October 2025.

Argentina accounts for nearly 40% of all applications, followed by Cuba. To handle the volume, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs authorized hiring 657 additional consular staff abroad in 2025 — a 43% increase year-on-year. The Ministry has confirmed that all submitted applications will be processed. No new applications can be filed; those who missed the October 2025 deadline have no current recourse under this route.

Congress advances Sahrawi nationality bill — three-year window proposed

A Spanish congressional committee approved a bill on June 30, 2026 that would grant Spanish nationality to people born in the former colony of Western Sahara before September 1977. The proposal was introduced by the Sumar party and supported by the governing PSOE, but opposed by the People's Party (PP) and Vox.

Under the bill's terms, eligible individuals would have a three-year window to apply after the law takes effect. The legislation must still complete the full parliamentary process before becoming law. Those potentially affected should track the bill's progress through the full Congress and Senate.