Thousands of African migrants have in recent days formed long queues outside consulates and embassies in the hope of taking advantage of the Spanish government’s new mass legalisation of illegal immigrants.
On 14 April, Spain’s radical left-wing government under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez approved an extraordinary decree that allows between 500,000 and up to one and a half million undocumented migrants already present in Spain to apply for a one-year renewable residence and work permit.
Spain torpedoes the tightening of immigration policy in the rest of Europe
The application period began on 16 April (online) and 20 April (in person), with a deadline of 30 June 2026. Slightly more than 13,000 people applied on the first day after the scheme opened. Several hundred thousand and possibly well over one million applications are expected in total.
In the wake of the legalisation, enormous queues have arisen at consulates of the migrants’ home countries in Spain, where they are attempting to obtain the necessary documents in order to apply for residence.
To qualify, migrants must be able to prove that they entered Spain before 1 January 2026, that they have lived in Spain for at least five months, and they must attach a clean criminal record certificate from their home country. The latter requirement has led to chaos at several African countries’ consulates – notably Morocco, Algeria, Senegal and also Pakistan – in cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Alicante, Bilbao and Almería.
SPAIN: Pakistani migrants are rushing to the consulate in Barcelona for their paperwork, as the government plans to regularize 500,000 illegals.
Notice they are all military-aged men, no women or children. They will soon be able to move freely across Europe. This won’t end well. pic.twitter.com/tSepsIqY55
— Dr. Maalouf (@realMaalouf) April 19, 2026
The Moroccan consulate in Almería, east of Málaga, is reported to be completely overwhelmed.
Conservative critics warn that the programme will attract even more irregular migrants, while Spain is torpedoing the tightening of immigration policy that is emerging in the rest of Europe. The government justifies the measure by a lack of labour in sectors such as agriculture, care and services – as well as by the fact that it will integrate long-term irregular residents into society.
Spania: Legalisering av 500.000 illegale, lekket rapport anslår 1,35 millioner