Spain's extraordinary regularization process for undocumented immigrants has seen Colombians and Moroccans as the two largest nationalities among applicants, according to official data from the Spanish government as of July 2026. The process, which opened in early 2026, aims to regularize the status of migrants who can demonstrate roots in the country through work, family, or social ties.
As of June 2026, over 50,000 applications had been submitted, with Colombians accounting for approximately 15,000 and Moroccans for around 12,000. Other significant groups include Venezuelans, Ecuadorians, and Senegalese. The majority of applicants are in the active working age range of 25 to 45 years old.
The Spanish government has set a deadline of September 30, 2026, for submitting applications. Each application is reviewed individually, and successful applicants receive a Temporary Identity Document for Foreigners (TIE) that allows them to live and work legally in Spain for one year, renewable.
The process has sparked debate, particularly around the issue of voting rights for newly regularized immigrants. Some political parties have proposed granting local voting rights to regularized migrants after a certain period of legal residence, while others oppose the measure. As of July 2026, no legislation has been passed on this matter.
