Spain’s ambitious plan to regularise an estimated half-million undocumented migrants is facing operational headwinds weeks before launch. In an exclusive report published on 26 February 2026, Reuters revealed that immigration offices are swamped and NGOs are being drafted in to help process applications for the three-month amnesty expected to open in April. A draft decree seen by the news-wire promises a “specific, preferential and differentiated procedure”, but ministry insiders admit no extra budget or staff have yet been approved. Union leader César Pérez says officers are still working through cases filed in mid-2025: “Without new hires or technology, the queues will be unmanageable.” Spain’s Socialist government argues that bringing workers out of the grey economy will bolster Social Security by 2.4 million contributors over the next decade. Economists credit past amnesties—most recently in 2005—with underpinning the country’s post-pandemic growth. Business groups broadly support the move, citing labour shortages in hospitality, agriculture and elder care. For migrants, however, uncertainty reigns. Required documents have not been finalised, and appointment slots are reportedly being resold on the black market. Advocacy lawyers fear a repeat of previous backlogs that left applicants in limbo for years, unable to work legally. Companies employing large numbers of third-country nationals should track the final decree closely. Those already on Spanish soil but lacking papers may become eligible for contracts, while HR departments must be prepared for surges in compliance checks as authorities tighten focus on undeclared work.
Source: Reuters (via The Star Malaysia)
