Spain’s 2026 Extraordinary Regularization: What You Need to Know — Update (April 20)
A practical summary of application window, eligibility rules, and what to prepare now.
On April 15, Spain’s Council of Ministers published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) a Royal Decree approving an extraordinary regularization process for non-EU nationals already in Spain without a valid residence status. International protection (asylum) applicants will also be able to benefit from this pathway.
The key dates to keep in mind
- Application window: April 16, 2026 → June 30, 2026
- Arrival cut-off: you must have been in Spain before January 1, 2026
Who may qualify
The measure targets two groups:
- People in an irregular administrative situation who arrived in Spain before January 1, 2026
- People who applied for international protection (asylum) in Spain before January 1, 2026
To qualify, you must also meet these conditions:
- At least 5 months of uninterrupted presence in Spain at the time of application
- No criminal record and no threat to public order, public security, or public health
If you are not and have never been an asylum applicant, you must additionally prove **one** of the following:
- You have worked in Spain under an employment or self-employment contract
- You have a family unit with minor children, adult children with disabilities, or first-degree ascendants
- You are in a situation of vulnerability (certified by registered entities or social services)
Anyone who currently holds a valid residence permit or has one in the process of renewal is not eligible.
The same applies to Ukrainian nationals with temporary protection in force and stateless persons.
How to apply
There are two ways to submit your application:
*Online:* through the Ministry’s platform, either personally with an electronic certificate, through an authorized representative (lawyer, *graduado social*, or administrative agent), or through an entity registered in the Registro de Colaboradores de Extranjería, which offer **free advice** and can also act as representatives.
*In person (by appointment only):* at Social Security offices (at least one per province), Correos offices in provincial capitals and municipalities over 50,000 inhabitants, and Extranjería offices in Madrid, Alicante, Valencia, Almería, and Murcia. Appointments can be booked via Cl@ve, a web form on the portal, or by calling **060**.
What the permit looks like
If granted, you will receive a residence and work authorization valid for 1 year, covering all sectors and the entire national territory.
After that period, you will need to transition to the standard residence categories under the *Reglamento de Extranjería*.
What you can do now
Start gathering strong, dated, and nominative evidence. All supporting documents must include your personal details and a specific date to be valid.
- Proof you were in Spain before January 1, 2026: entry stamps, flight or train tickets, official notifications, dated contracts
- Proof of uninterrupted presence for at least 5 months: *padrón* certificate, medical appointments, rental agreement, bank statements showing local activity, invoices or receipts in your name
- Criminal record certificates from your country of origin, and any country where you have lived during the five years prior to your entry into Spain
