Story perspectives

Spain Launches Amnesty for 500,000 Migrants Amid Controversy

4/17/2026

Summary

Sánchez Launches Amnesty

Spain's government has launched a mass amnesty program allowing around 500,000 undocumented migrants to apply for legal residency and work permits.
Applications opened on April 16, 2026, to address Spain's aging population and support economic growth, a policy advanced by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
The rollout faced immediate problems, including long queues and a crashed website.
Immigration officers threatened strikes over resource shortages, leading to a deal that included pay raises and commitments to fill vacant positions.
Critics, including the opposition Popular Party, argue the plan could encourage further irregular migration, and the application window closes on June 30, 2026.

Summary

Spain Regularizes Migrants

Spain's government has launched a mass regularisation programme allowing 500,000–800,000 undocumented migrants to apply for residency and work permits.
Approved on April 14, 2026, the initiative targets those who have lived in Spain since before January 1, 2026, to address labor shortages.
On April 16, 2026, the first day of applications, long queues formed and the government website crashed, and the window closes on June 30, 2026.

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Sánchez Launches Amnesty

Spain's government has launched a mass amnesty program allowing around 500,000 undocumented migrants to apply for legal residency and work permits.
Applications opened on April 16, 2026, to address Spain's aging population and support economic growth, a policy advanced by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
The rollout faced immediate problems, including long queues and a crashed website.
Immigration officers threatened strikes over resource shortages, leading to a deal that included pay raises and commitments to fill vacant positions.
Critics, including the opposition Popular Party, argue the plan could encourage further irregular migration, and the application window closes on June 30, 2026.

1 / 2