The Spanish government under the socialist Pedro Sánchez has in recent years pursued a more open migration policy than most other European countries. Sánchez justifies the policy on humanitarian grounds and economic needs: Spain has an ageing population, and the welfare state requires new hands.

The high point of Sánchez’s open migration policy is the extraordinary legalisation of illegal migrants adopted on 14 April this year. It formally allows around 500,000 illegals who were already residing in Spain before 31 December 2025 to apply for a one-year renewable residence and work permit. The application period began on 16 April (digitally) and runs until the end of June 2026. The measure also includes a generous automatic annulment of previous expulsion orders for those who qualify.

1,200 per cent more illegals in Ceuta in February alone

After Spain’s plans to legalise illegal migrants were announced in January this year, the number of illegal entries into Spain has increased sharply; in particular, the pressure on the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla in North Africa has been considerable, which is clearly visualised in the video below. The video is verified and most likely filmed by migrants themselves:

This is what the invasion looks like.

Thanks to Sanchez, all these people will soon get residence permits.

The end of Spain. The end of Europe. pic.twitter.com/NW9kwEMx0Y

— Francesco 🇮🇹 (@SaP011) April 26, 2026

Police report that migrants gathered near the Ceuta border in Morocco immediately after the announcement, and that new routes have even been activated from France, Italy and the UK as the reputation of Europe’s most lax authorities has spread.

The more who arrive, the more will come

Since the beginning of 2026, Ceuta has become Spain’s principal entry point for illegal migration. Young men climb over or swim around the border fence to reach Spanish territory. Ceuta is overburdened, and migrants are quickly transferred to mainland Spain. As soon as they reach Spanish soil, they post videos on social media portraying life in a glamorous light, encouraging and inspiring others to undertake the same journey.

In the first quarter, illegal entries into Ceuta and Melilla increased by 392 and 500 per cent respectively compared with the same period in 2025, according to figures from Spanish authorities.

Ceuta experienced an increase of 1,200 per cent in February alone. In the first six weeks of 2026, seven times as many crossed the border as in 2025.

Spania: Tusener av afrikanske illegale strømmer til efter masse-legaliseringen

The government rejects that the legalisation attracts more migrants, claiming that migration flows merely find new routes. Sánchez calls it “a historic act of justice and necessity” that brings people out of the shadow society, increases tax revenue and strengthens the economy.

The opposition and media with little or minimal regime loyalty believe the legalisation has sent a signal that if you enter Spain illegally, you are upgraded to a Schengen citizen, which also raises concern in other Schengen countries.

With migration come not only willing hands for work. Jordan Bardella of the French Rassemblement National has called the legalisation “cynical” and wants to amend Schengen legislation so that it applies only to Europeans – which was once the intention:

🇫🇷🇪🇸Free movement in Europe's Schengen should only be for EU citizens, not migrants, says French political leader @J_Bardella after Spain's far-left government decided to legalize up to 800,000 migrants.

"This is why I believe that the Schengen area and the free movement allowed… pic.twitter.com/KbwWsAZyT8

— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) April 21, 2026