Long Queues In Madrid As Immigrant Amnesty Registration Starts
The window for in‑person applications under Spain’s extraordinary regularisation process for undocuments migrants opened today, 20th April.
Some 370 post offices opened their doors to applicants today 20th April while the government has said they also can apply at 60 social security offices and a handful of migration offices.
Online applications started last Thursday.
The procedure is aimed at migrants who already reside in Spain and meet the criteria set out in the recently approved royal decree.
Authorities expect high demand in the first weeks and have urged applicants to ensure they bring the required documentation.
Spanish media outlets reported overnight queues ahead of this morning´s opening in Madrid with hundreds camped out on the streets.
The government says the process is designed to provide legal certainty, improve labour‑market integration and strengthen social cohesion.
The Minister for Inclusion, Social Security and Migration and Government Spokesperson, Elma Saiz, said the marked “one of the major milestones of this legislative term.”
Up to 600,000 foreign nationals living in Spain without proper documentation may now have a clear path to legal residency.
Saiz stressed that the beneficiaries “are people who live among us, with sons and daughters who attend school with our children, who bring life to our towns and streets, and who, from today onward, will be able to fully enjoy their rights and fulfil their obligations.”
The government spokesperson recalled that since 1986, six regularisation processes have been carried out, “by governments of all political persuasions,” benefiting nearly 1.3 million people. “The evidence shows that similar processes in the past have yielded benefits in employment, fiscal responsibility, social cohesion, and social sustainability,” she maintained.
To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Entered Spain before December 31, 2025.
Entry must be verifiable (e.g., entry stamp, flight records, or other official proof). - Can prove five months of continuous stay in Spain.
This is a significant reduction compared to the usual two-year requirement for “arraigo social.” The government specifically lowered the threshold to make the amnesty accessible. - No criminal record in Spain or in the applicant’s country of origin for the past five years (in relation to crimes under Spanish law).
- Not be banned from entering Spain or have a pending expulsion order.
The window for registration closes on June 30 2026.
