Spain plans to legalize around 300,000 undocumented immigrants annually over the next three years to address labor shortages and support its welfare system amid an aging population, according to Migration Minister Elma Saiz, Reuters reports.
The reform simplifies legal procedures for work and residence permits, allowing migrants to register as self-employed or salaried workers and offering additional labor rights. The reform also extends visas for job seekers (from three to 12 months) and increases work hours for students with visas. This initiative aims to sustain Spain’s welfare state, which requires 250,000 to 300,000 foreign workers annually.
Spain’s economy, currently the fastest-growing in the EU, has benefited from skilled immigrants, particularly from Latin America, who have filled gaps in sectors like technology and hospitality. However, public opinion remains divided, with 57% of Spaniards believing immigration levels are too high, official statistics show foreign-born residents comprise 18.5% of the population.
