In early 2026, it became public that Spain is preparing a law for a large -scale regularisation of migrants—often referred to as an “amnesty.” The document is still in draft form, but the intention is clear: to bring a large number of people “out of the shadows” and legalise their status in Spain. Estimates mentioned in public discussions point to around 500,000 people.

Spain has done something similar before. The last major regularisation was in 2005, more than 20 years ago. 

The question many people are asking now is simple: who may qualify, and what should you do to be ready? 

Below is what is known at this stage, based on the information currently available—and what you can prepare without waiting for the final text.

What we know so far

1) A broad group of potential applicants

The detailed rules are not fully final yet, but the process is expected to cover many migrants who are already in Spain and were present by the end of 2025.

Because the final wording may still change, it’s better to treat this as a window of opportunity—one where preparation matters.

2) Criminal record certificates will matter

To apply, it is expected you will need a criminal record certificate from your country of origin (and, depending on your personal situation, this can be one of the documents that takes the longest to obtain).

A practical detail that often catches people off guard: these documents usually have a limited validity period for immigration procedures, so timing becomes important. The safest approach is to plan ahead rather than request documents at the last minute.

3) You will need proof you were in Spain by 31 December 2025

A key requirement mentioned so far is proving you were physically in Spain on 31 December 2025.

This is where people often underestimate the workload. Proof can come from many everyday sources, for example:

• medical visits,
• transport tickets,
• rental documents,
• and other paperwork that shows your real presence in Spain.

The idea is straightforward: you need documents that can demonstrate you were actually here by that date.

4) The application window is short

What is currently being communicated is a start in April 2026, with a deadline around the end of June 2026.

That’s a tight timeline. Even if the final details change slightly, the main risk remains the same: waiting too long and then trying to collect documents under pressure.

Important note

At the moment, this is still a draft process and some details may change before the final adoption.

But the practical takeaway is already clear: if you think you may qualify, it makes sense to start preparing your paperwork and collecting proof of presence so you don’t miss the window.

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About Docsinside

If you need help choosing the right residence route and preparing your documents, Docsinside is an online platform that supports residence permit applications and renewals in a clear, structured format. It guides you step by step, provides templates and checklists, and gives you a secure personal account to upload and organize documents in one place.

If you’d like to start with a consultation, email us at hello@docsinside.com.