Spain's migrant regularisation scheme nears deadline, over 900,000 applications filed

Spain's extraordinary regularisation process for migrants in irregular situations is in its final week, with the application deadline set for Tuesday 30 June. The Ministry of Inclusion, Security Social and Migration reports that more than 900,000 requests have been submitted since the scheme opened on 16 April, and estimates the total could approach one million.

The minister, Elma Saiz, said the programme is proceeding as planned and highlighted that it concerns "the lives and future projects of thousands of people who will finally leave the margins and gain rights and obligations." CEAR’s director, Mónica López, noted that roughly 30 % of the applications have been admitted to processing, but warned of delays and possible duplicate filings.

In Catalonia, the regularisation is already affecting temporary housing for seasonal workers. Government delegate Núria Gil said shelters in Lleida have seen a sharp drop in occupancy because many newly regularised migrants can now obtain housing and work elsewhere. One shelter in the Fira de Lleida pavilion is at 90 % capacity, while another in Seròs hosts only three to five residents, reflecting the broader shift caused by the regularisation programme.