Spain completes record migrant regularization, opposition demands answers

The Spanish government closed an extraordinary regularisation process on 30 June, receiving a record 1,174,978 applications— well above the original estimate of half a million. About 67 % of the applicants originated from Central and South America, with Colombians accounting for 25.9 % of the total.

The measure has sparked political controversy. The centre‑right People's Party has called for a parliamentary hearing of Interior Minister Fernando Grande‑Marlaska and Migration Minister Elma Saiz, demanding detailed data on the scheme’s impact on public services and the electoral roll. Vox has labelled the process opaque and warned of a possible “call‑effect”. Both parties have lodged legal challenges, which the Supreme Court rejected, though the court may refer the compatibility of the scheme with the EU Migration and Asylum Pact to the European Court of Justice.

Local authorities are already implementing the outcome. In Sagunt, 1,349 individuals have applied for full residency rights, with municipal services expanding staff and holding information sessions for over 450 families. The government argues that regularising migrants will bolster the economy, citing forecasts that Spain could lose up to 19 % of its GDP by 2050 without new arrivals.