Spain is set to legalize up to 300,000 undocumented migrants over the next three years, a move aimed at bolstering its economy and addressing demographic challenges, the country's migration minister said Wednesday.
The legalization initiative, unveiled Wednesday by Migration Minister Elma Saiz, aims to expand the country's workforce and allow foreigners living in Spain without proper documentation to obtain work permits and residency.
"Today, we can say Spain is a better country," Saiz told national broadcaster Radiotelevisión Española. She emphasized that the measure, starting in May 2025 and approved by Spain's leftist coalition government, is not only aimed at "cultural wealth and respect for human rights, it's also prosperity."
Tackling an Aging Workforce
Spain requires approximately 250,000 foreign workers annually to sustain its welfare system and alleviate the pressures of an aging population.
Spain has largely remained open to receiving migrants even as other European nations seek to tighten their borders to illegal crossings and asylum seekers.
According to the country's Interior Ministry, by mid-November about 54,000 undocumented migrants had reached Spain this year by sea or land. However, the exact number of foreigners living in Spain without documentation is unclear.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has championed migration reform as a central component of his administration's strategy to combat the nation's low birthrate and ensure economic stability.
In a bid to address irregular migration, Sánchez visited three West African nations earlier this year to discuss curbing dangerous sea crossings to the Canary Islands, which often serves as a gateway to Europe. Many migrants from countries such as Mali and Senegal undertake perilous journeys to escape violence, political instability or economic hardship.
Simplified Processes and Worker Protections
The new policy simplifies bureaucratic hurdles for visas and enhances protections for migrants. For example, the duration of visas for job seekers will be extended from three months to one year. This change aims to reduce the exploitation of undocumented workers, many of whom are employed in Spain's underground economy in roles such as fruit picking, caregiving and delivery driving.
Saiz said the new policy would help prevent such abuse and "serve to combat mafias, fraud and the violation of rights."
Economic Momentum
Spain's economy, one of the fastest-growing in the European Union, has been buoyed by a strong post-pandemic recovery and a robust tourism sector. Immigration has also played a pivotal role in this growth. In 2023 alone, Spain issued 1.3 million visas to foreign nationals, underscoring the nation's reliance on migrant labor to fill critical workforce gaps.
While other European countries tighten immigration policies, Spain's approach stands out as both pragmatic and humanitarian.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
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