Spain's 2026 Migrant Regularisation: Facts vs. Misinformation - News and Statistics

Apr 28, 2026

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s decision to grant an estimated 500,000 undocumented migrants legal status has ignited debate across Europe, while also prompting several misleading claims. According to a fact-checking report by Euronews, the programme’s details have been clearly outlined by the Spanish government.

Under the plan, undocumented migrants who have lived in Spain for at least five months can apply for a one-year temporary residence permit. Applicants must have a clean criminal record and submit their request by 30 June for a renewable working visa. Contrary to claims made by Jordan Bardella, leader of the French far-right National Rally party, newly documented individuals are not free to move to France or other EU countries on this permit. They may reside and work only in Spain.

Because Spain is part of the Schengen area—a zone of 29 European countries with open borders—holders of a Spanish work permit can travel to other European states for up to 90 days within a 180-day window. However, they cannot stay long-term or establish residence elsewhere. Migration policy advisor Monique Pariat of the Institut Jacques Delors noted that third-country nationals in the EU can settle in a country only with permission from that country’s authorities, adding that France is unlikely to offer a visa to someone holding a one-year Spanish work permit.

Bardella also claimed that individuals with a Spanish work permit could access France’s social security system, which he described as open without conditions. In reality, newly regularised migrants will be covered by Spain’s social security system, not France’s. Pariat explained that either Spanish social security would be billed for medical treatment, or the individuals would pay costs themselves, making it impractical for them to seek benefits in France.

Conservative think tank Funcas estimated that around 840,000 undocumented migrants lived in Spain in early 2025, most from Latin American countries. Spain was also one of the eurozone’s top-performing economies in 2025. Catherine Wihtol de Wenden, senior research fellow at France’s National Centre for Scientific Research, observed that France is not as attractive as some politicians claim, especially for Spanish-speaking individuals with ties to Spain or those already employed there.

Italy has also addressed labour shortages through visas, with a new three-year decree on migration expected to bring 500,000 new arrivals between 2026 and 2028.

1. INTRODUCTION

Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business

REPORT DESCRIPTION
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND THE AI PLATFORM
DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS

2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A Quick Overview of Market Performance

KEY FINDINGS
MARKET TRENDS This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional EditionPRO

3. MARKET OVERVIEW

Understanding the Current State of The Market and its Prospects

MARKET SIZE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
CONSUMPTION BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
MARKET FORECAST TO 2035

4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCTS FOR DIVERSIFICATION

Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business

TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
MOST CONSUMED PRODUCTS
MOST TRADED PRODUCTS
MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCTS FOR EXPORT

5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES

Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain

TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES

6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS

Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Export

TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
UNSATURATED MARKETS
TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS

7. PRODUCTION

The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry

PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
PRODUCTION BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)

8. IMPORTS

The Largest Import Supplying Countries

IMPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
IMPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)

9. EXPORTS

The Largest Destinations for Exports

EXPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
EXPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)

10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS

The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles

11. COUNTRY PROFILES

The Largest Markets And Their Profiles

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