Extraordinary regularization of foreigners in Spain 2026. Requirements of the new immigration law.

Last updated: January 29, 2026.

The Government of Spain has initiated the processing of an extraordinary regularization process that will allow more than 500,000 foreign nationals to obtain residency and work authorization.

This article provides updated official information regarding requirements, deadlines, and procedures for this significant migratory process.

What is the extraordinary regularization 2026?

The extraordinary regularization is an exceptional process approved by the Council of Ministers on January 27, 2026, via Royal Decree-Law. Its objective is to legally integrate foreign nationals who already reside in Spain but find themselves in an irregular administrative situation.

This procedure emerges as a response to a Popular Legislative Initiative (ILP) backed by more than 700,000 signatures and represents the continuity of a migratory policy that Spain has historically applied since 1986, under governments of different political leanings.

Main objectives of the process

The process seeks to:

• Guarantee rights and legal security to people who are already part of Spanish society.
• Reduce the underground economy and labor exploitation.
• Facilitate full social and labor integration.
• Offer legal certainty to both workers and companies.
• Protect family unity.

Who can benefit from the regularization?

People in an irregular situation

You can apply for regularization if you are a foreign national who meets all these requirements:

• Arrived in Spain before December 31, 2025.
• Accredit a continuous stay of at least 5 months at the time of submitting the application.
• Lack a criminal record in both Spain and your country of origin.
• Do not represent a threat to public order, national security, or public health.
• Are not prohibited from entering Spain nor subject to a commitment to return.

Detailed requirements and necessary documentation

Cut-off date: December 31, 2025

The first fundamental requirement is to prove that you were in Spain before December 31, 2025. To do this, you must identify and keep the first document that proves this date, which could be:

• Passport with entry stamp.
• Plane ticket or international transport ticket.
• Any invoice, receipt, or official document with your name and a date prior to 12/31/2025.

Accreditation of continuous stay (5-month minimum)

This is one of the most important requirements. You must prove that you have remained in Spain continuously for at least 5 months before submitting your application.

Accepted documentation can be public, private, or a combination of both. Examples of valid documents:

Public documents:

• Municipal registration certificate (empadronamiento) — historical if possible.
• Medical appointments, emergency reports, or health records.
• Certificates of attendance at social resources.
• Certificates of schooling for minor children.
• Proof of administrative procedures.

Private documents:

• Utility bills (electricity, water, gas, internet, telephone).
• Named transport tickets.
• Proof of money transfers (remittances).
• Receipts for card purchases.
• Communications with companies or entities.

Practical recommendation: Organize your documents chronologically by month, creating both a physical and digital folder.

The key is to demonstrate continuity without significant time gaps.

Criminal record certificate

You must present criminal record certificates from both Spain and your country of origin (and any country where you have resided).

These documents must be:

• Apostilled or legalized as appropriate.
• Translated into Spanish by a sworn translator.

Important: In countries where obtaining this certificate is complex, it is essential to start the process in advance so as not to be excluded from the procedure.

Absence of entry bans

You must not have:

• A ban on entering Spain.
• An expulsion order in force in Schengen territory.
• An active commitment to return.

Deadlines for the regularization process

Official calendar

According to communications from the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration:

• Start of applications: Early April 2026 (once the mandatory procedures of the Royal Decree are completed).
• Closing of the deadline: June 30, 2026.

Important: With simple admission for processing, you will be able to start working legally without having to wait for the final resolution.

Type of authorization granted

Characteristics of the initial authorization

The authorization that will be granted will have the following characteristics:

• Type: Residence authorization with work permit.
• Initial validity: 1 year.
• Territorial scope: The entire national territory.
• Sectoral scope: Any economic sector.
• Modalities: Employment and self-employment.

Right to work from admission for processing

A relevant aspect of this process is that the admission for processing of the application will allow you to work provisionally in any sector and place in Spain, without needing to wait for the final resolution.

This means that approximately 15 days after submitting your application, if it is admitted for processing, you will already be able to:

• Work legally.
• Contribute to Social Security.
• Access labor rights.
• Register as a self-employed worker (autónomo).

Renewal after the first year

After the first year of validity of the authorization, you must transition to the ordinary figures provided for in the Immigration Regulations (mainly social roots (arraigo social), labor roots (arraigo laboral), or training roots (arraigo formativo)). This transition allows for full and progressive integration into the Spanish migratory system.

Protection of family unity

Regularization of other family members

If your parents are in Spain irregularly, they may also benefit from this regularization in parallel, obtaining a one-year residency authorization based on roots.

Effects on return and expulsion procedures

Automatic suspension of procedures

The submission of the extraordinary regularization application will have a very important immediate effect. It will automatically suspend:

• Return procedures in progress.
• Expulsion orders for irregular stay.
• Sanctions for working without a work permit.

This suspension will be maintained throughout the regularization procedure, protecting you from removal measures while your case is resolved.

Legal protection during the process

From the moment of submitting the application, you will be administratively protected, which allows you to:

• Continue residing in Spain with legal security.
• Access basic services.
• Prepare your labor and social integration.

Application submission process

Submission methods

You can carry out the process in two ways:

• In-person: At immigration offices, government sub-delegations, and other authorized points.
• Online: Through official electronic platforms.

Administrative fees

It will be necessary to pay the fees corresponding to the procedure. It is essential to stay informed about the exact amount when the definitive text of the Royal Decree is published.

Benefits of the regularization process

For migrants

• Access to legal residency and full rights.
• Possibility to work legally and contribute.
• Protection against labor exploitation.
• Access to social and health services.
• Legal security and stability.

For companies and society

• Greater legal certainty in hiring.
• Reduction of the underground economy and increase in tax collection.
• Higher contribution to Social Security.
• Improvement of social cohesion and full integration.

Recommendations and best practices

Do not wait for the application period to open. Start organizing your documents chronologically now, digitize them, and obtain criminal record certificates from your country of origin, as they usually take time.

Caution with scams: Be wary of intermediaries who guarantee results before the official procedure is published in the BOE (Official State Gazette).

Official information sources

For official and updated information, you can consult the following portals:

• Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration: www.inclusion.gob.es
• Official State Gazette (BOE): www.boe.es
• Public Administration Electronic Headquarters: sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es

Frequently Asked Questions