EU gates open to illegal immigrants in Spain

On 19 November 2024, the Spanish government announced a major change to its immigration law. The reform will allow 300,000 undocumented illegal immigrants to obtain residence and work permits every year for the next three years. The reform package would also make it easier and longer for immigrants to obtain visas.

There is a clear tendency for the Spanish government to support immigrants and facilitate their legal residence in Spain. The Immigration Act changes the period for which visas are issued: the various visas are initially issued for one year, which can be extended to four years. The duration of the job-seeker visa in Spain will also be increased to 12 months from the current three months. The amendment simplifies the changeover between different types of visas. For example, permanent status can be obtained immediately after the expiry of a temporary visa without the applicant having to leave the country.

A new rule will allow immigrants with expired permits to obtain the permits they need to stay legally without leaving the country. Another positive change for immigrants is that those who have applied for international protection but have been refused for at least six months will be given a year to regularise their situation.