The Spanish government stands out in the European Union for its progressive migration policy. Unlike many EU countries that are adopting stricter measures, the Spanish executive recently announced a regulatory reform aimed at facilitating the regularization of tens of thousands of undocumented migrants each year over the next three years.
Spanish Minister of Inclusion and Migration Elma Saiz said: “The aim is to strengthen and expand regularization pathways for migrants in Spain, allowing them to lead full lives as citizens, with rights and responsibilities.” Spain’s welcoming stance on migration is largely motivated by economic considerations.
The new reform simplifies procedures and reduces the time it takes to obtain residence permits. It also strengthens the rights of migrant workers, extends the job search visa from three months to one year, and introduces new legal statuses that facilitate regularization.
According to Elma Saiz, by the end of 2023, around 210,000 migrants were already in the process of naturalisation in Spain, 85,000 more than in 2022. With this new reform, the government estimates that around 300,000 migrants could be regularised each year over the next three years.
“As we have already stated on several occasions, various national and international organisations estimate that Spain needs around 250,000 to 300,000 foreign workers each year to maintain its standard of living,” Saiz stressed at a press conference.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez reiterated this sentiment, saying: “Spain must choose between being an open and prosperous country or a closed and poor country. We have chosen the first option.” Currently, around 2.9 million foreigners contribute to the social security system in Spain each month, representing 13.6% of total members, an increase of two percentage points compared to two years ago.
Spain is one of the three main points of entry for migrants in Europe, alongside Italy and Greece. The country faces significant challenges, including the influx of migrants to the Canary Islands, located off the northwest coast of Africa. As of mid-October 2024, 32,878 irregular migrants had arrived in the Canaries, compared to 23,537 during the same period in 2023, according to the Interior Ministry.
This reform highlights Spain’s distinct approach to migration, aimed at balancing economic needs with social integration, despite ongoing challenges at the borders.