Spain Approves 2026 Extraordinary Regularization: Key Dates, Rules and Next Steps
A practical summary of application window, eligibility rules, and what to prepare now.
On 27 January 2026, Spain’s Council of Ministers approved an extraordinary regularization process for certain non-EU nationals who are already in Spain without valid residence status. International protection (asylum) applicants will be able to benefit from this pathway.
At this stage, the government’s plan is for applications to be accepted between April 2026 and 30 June 2026.
The key dates to keep in mind
The timeline being reported is straightforward:
- Application window: April 2026 → 30 June 2026
- Arrival cut-off: you must have been in Spain before 31 December 2025
Who may qualify
Based on the information available so far, the measure is expected to target people who can show they were already living in Spain before the cut-off date and who meet a few baseline conditions:
- Arrival in Spain before 31 December 2025
- At least 5 months of continuous presence in Spain
- No criminal record and no public-order concerns
Asylum seekers (international protection applicants) will be included in this process as well. In practical terms, their main eligibility criteria are expected to be:
- Arrival in Spain before 31 December 2025
- No criminal record and no public-order concerns
What we still don’t know (yet)
As with any new procedure, there are still important details pending. Until the implementing guidance is published, it’s best to treat the following points as not confirmed:
- Whether applicants will need a job offer or pre-contract
- The final application platform, the official document format, and the way the process will be handled in practice across different provinces
What the permit would look like
If granted, the result would be a residence and work authorization with an initial validity of 1 year.
Timing and the right to work
One of the most relevant elements being reported (but not confirmed) is the intention to keep the procedure moving quickly. Press coverage suggests:
- Admission to processing within around 15 days, with the possibility to work from that moment
- A maximum of 3 months to issue the final decision
What you can do now to be ready
If you think you may qualify, the smartest move is to start collecting strong evidence. Here’s what to prioritize:
- Proof you were in Spain before 31 December 2025: Entry stamps, flight/train tickets, dated bills, official notifications, letters, etc.
- Proof of continuous presence for at least 5 months: Padrón, medical appointments, rental agreement, bank activity showing local spending, money transfers, invoices/receipts in your name, and similar records.
