Key facts
- Spain's government received approximately 900,000 applications for migrant legalisation.
- The program's demand has doubled the initial expectation of 500,000 requests.
- The initiative seeks to integrate undocumented migrants into the formal labor market.
- Spain has issued 360,000 temporary work permits since April.
- The state has the capacity to process up to one million applications by the program's conclusion.
Spain's government has received approximately 900,000 applications for legal status from undocumented migrants, significantly exceeding the program's initial expectation of 500,000 requests. The initiative, aimed at integrating migrants into the formal labor market, has seen strong demand, with refugee aid organization CEAR anticipating over one million applications by the program's conclusion in two weeks.
Spain's economic growth, which has outpaced many European peers, has been partly fueled by migrants who have filled labor shortages in sectors such as hospitality and elderly care, increasing social security contributions. Since April, Spain has granted 360,000 temporary work permits, representing about 40% of the applications processed. Pilar Cancela, secretary of state for migration, stated that the state has the capacity to handle up to one million applications between April and June, noting that the number of requests would outnumber permits granted.
Despite the current program's success, Spain has a history of chronic delays in its immigration system, leaving many migrants waiting years for residency. Think tank Funcas estimates that roughly 840,000 undocumented migrants are awaiting residency permits while working informally. CEAR Director Monica Lopez emphasized the need for structural measures to facilitate access to work and residence permits to prevent individuals from living on the margins of society.