The Spanish government has recently approved the start of an extraordinary regularization process. This measure aims to normalize the administrative status of thousands of foreigners by providing them with legal security and permission to work legally.
At MBT Abogados, we have analyzed the key points of this regulation so you can find out if you meet the requirements and how to prepare for the process.
Who can apply for this regularization?
Unlike other processes, this measure has a general scope (without distinction of nationality) and focuses on the length of stay in the country:
- Entry date: You must have been in Spain before the December 31, 2025.
- Minimum time: A minimum stay of 5 months prior to that date is required.
- Applicants for International Protection: Those who submitted their application before December 31, 2025, may apply, even if it is pending or has been denied and they were unable to qualify for residency previously.
- Records: It is mandatory to have no criminal record and not pose a threat to public order.
Benefits of obtaining authorization
The most important aspect of this measure is the speed with which it allows for job placement:
- Immediate Work Permit: You will be able to work in any sector and province from day one.
- Initial validity: The residence permit will last for one year.
- Transition to the ordinary regime: Once the year is over, the beneficiaries will be able to move on to the ordinary categories of the Immigration Regulations.
- Family Protection: The process allows for the simultaneous regularization of minor children who are in Spain, who will obtain a permit for 5 years.
Deadlines and application mechanisms
The administration has designed a system that seeks to prevent bureaucratic collapse.
- Admission to processing: Your application will be processed within 15 days. Once approved, you can start working!
- Final resolution: The maximum processing time will be 3 months.
Note from MBT Abogados: To prove your 5-month stay, you can use any public document (registration certificate, medical appointments) or private document (rental agreements, transport passes). The combination of evidence will be crucial for the success of your application.
Checklist: Documentation required for regularization
To make the process run smoothly, we recommend you start gathering the following documents. Remember that the admission to processing (in just 15 days) it will depend on whether the request is well-founded from the beginning:
1. Identification and Background
- Full passport in force (copy of all pages, even those that are blank).
- Criminal Record Certificate from your country of origin, duly apostilled or legalized (and translated by a sworn interpreter if it is not in Spanish).
2. Proof of enrollment (before December 31, 2025)
You must prove that you have been in Spain for at least 5 months before that date. You can provide:
- Public Documents: Historical certificate of registration (the most important), medical records in the public health system, asylum resolutions or applications for international protection.
- Private Documents: Rental agreements, money transfer receipts, service contracts (electricity, water, internet) or named public transport passes.
3. International Protection (if applicable)
- Copy of the Red Card or proof of submission of the asylum application made before December 31, 2025.
4. Documentation for minor children
- Birth certificate of the minors (apostilled/legalized).
- Proof that the minors are physically in Spain (school enrollment certificates or medical records).
Expert advice: Although the law allows "any means of proof", the more official (public) documentation you provide, the faster the validation process will be by the Immigration Office.
Do you need help with your application?
At MBT Abogados, we are experts in immigration and international law. Given the importance of this extraordinary process, it is vital to submit the documentation correctly from the outset to avoid delays or rejections. Our main office is in Barcelona, and we also offer in-person appointments in Madrid regularly. You can contact us by email or Whatsapp.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) / Regularization of Foreigners in Spain 2026
- Is this measure an amnesty for all immigrants?
Although it is colloquially called amnesty, it is an extraordinary regularization for those who can prove prior residence before December 31, 2025 and have no criminal record. - Can I apply if my asylum was denied?
Yes. This process includes people with pending or denied applications for international protection who were previously unable to qualify for other residency arrangements. - When can I start working?
Very soon. With the mere acceptance of your application for processing (which takes a maximum of 15 days), you will receive authorization to work legally in any sector. - What if I have a criminal record?
Having no criminal record is an essential requirement. If you do, your application will be denied, as public order is a cornerstone of this process.
- What happens at the end of the first year of residency?
You will need to apply under the standard procedures outlined in the Immigration Regulations. This one-year permit serves as a stepping stone to full integration. - Is registration mandatory?
It's the main proof, but not the only one. You can use private documents such as money transfers, contracts, or transport passes to prove your 5-month stay. - What happens to minor children?
The process protects the family unit by allowing the simultaneous regularization of minor children residing in Spain. Unlike the permit for adults, minors will receive a residence authorization valid for 5 years.
