Spain's mass migrant regularization sparks EU criticism

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's government approved a regularisation programme that could grant residence permits to up to half a million undocumented migrants. Within weeks the scheme attracted nearly one million applications, with about 360,000 temporary work permits already issued. The policy is presented as a humanitarian measure and a response to labour shortages in sectors such as agriculture, construction and services.

At the European Council in Brussels, leaders from Italy, Belgium, Denmark and other EU states sharply condemned the unilateral step, arguing it undermines the EU’s asylum framework, the Dublin system and the integrity of the Schengen area. EU migration commissioner Magnus Brunner warned that a residence permit in one member state should not become a "blank cheque" for free movement across the bloc. In Spain, opposition parties, notably the right‑wing Vox party, warned the move could encourage further illegal entries and strain public services, housing, health and education.

The debate highlights the tension between national immigration policies and collective EU rules, with Spain’s action viewed as a test of solidarity and border‑control mechanisms across Europe.