Spain's migrant regularisation sparks political controversy and police workload surge

One month after Spain’s extraordinary regularisation of migrants took effect (published in the BOE on 16 April), the measure remains mired in political and legal disputes. The government reached an agreement with Podemos to broaden the scheme, allowing migrants who arrived by 31 December 2025 and meet vulnerability criteria to regularise, but the deal has been sharply criticised by Vox and the PP, which allege a lack of transparency and procedural shortcuts. The Council of State raised a legal objection over the requirement for a criminal‑record certificate, prompting the government to drop that clause.

At the same time, the Interior Ministry plans to reinforce National Police stations to cope with an anticipated flood of appointments for TIE cards and police reports linked to the regularisation. Police officials warn the already strained system could become overwhelmed, though the exact number of additional agents has not been disclosed.