Spain Opened the 2026 Extraordinary Regularization: You Have Until June 30
If you are in Spain without legal status — or you know someone who is — this is the most important news of the year. On April 15, the Spanish government published the 2026 Extraordinary Regularization Royal Decree, opening a historic process to legalize the situation of thousands of immigrants.
The application window runs from April 16 to June 30, 2026. No extension is guaranteed. Read this article to the end and don’t miss a single detail.
Who Can Apply for Regularization?
You are covered by this process if you are in one of the following two situations:
✅ You applied for International Protection in Spain before January 1, 2026
✅ You are in an irregular administrative situation and arrived in Spain before January 1, 2026
⚠️ Note: if you already hold a valid residence authorization, or one that is being renewed or extended, you do not need to — and should not — apply for this process. The same goes for Ukrainians with active temporary protection and stateless persons, who have their own procedures.
What Are the Requirements?
The Royal Decree sets two mandatory requirements for all applicants:
1. Proven Presence in Spain
- Be in the country before January 1, 2026
- Prove uninterrupted presence of at least 5 months up to the date of the application
2. A Clean Criminal Record
- Have no criminal record
- Not pose a threat to public order, public security or public health
Required Documents: Prepare Your File Now
Organize your paperwork in advance. Here is the full list:
Mandatory Documents for Everyone
| Document | Note |
|---|---|
| Application form | Available on the official portal |
| Full passport or registration certificate | Must be valid in Spain |
| Proof of entry into Spain before 01/01/2026 | Passport stamp, named plane ticket, etc. |
| Proof of presence over the last 5 months | Bank statement, rental contract, course certificate, etc. |
| Criminal record certificate | From your country of origin and from wherever you lived in the 5 years before arriving in Spain |
💡 Practical tip: your criminal record certificate needs to be apostilled. Request it well in advance from the competent authority in your country of origin or through the consulate. The process can take weeks.
If You Are Not an International Protection Applicant
In addition to the documents above, you need to prove at least ONE of the following situations:
💼 Employment link: an employment or self-employment contract in Spain
👨👩👧 Family unit: children who are minors or have disabilities, or first-degree ascendants
🆘 Social vulnerability: a certificate issued and stamped by RECEX entities or social services
How to Apply: In Person or Online?
You have two options for submitting your application:
Option 1 — Online (Recommended)
- Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from April 16
- Access it through the website of the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration
- You can do it yourself (with a digital certificate), or through a lawyer, administrative agent or collaborating entity
Option 2 — In Person (Appointment Required)
- Service begins on April 20
- Appointment mandatory from April 16
Available locations:
| Location | Hours | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Social Security offices | 4 pm to 7 pm | At least one per province |
| Post offices (Correos) | 8:30 am to 5:30 pm | Capitals and municipalities of 50,000+ inhabitants |
| Immigration Offices (OEX) | 4 pm to 7 pm | Madrid, Alicante, Valencia, Almería and Murcia |
How Do You Book an Appointment?
There are three ways to book:
- Regularization portal with Cl@ve (you choose place, date and time)
- Web form on the portal (no choice of place — assigned automatically)
- Phone 060 — service in Spanish, Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 2 pm and 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Can I Work While the Process Is Under Way?
Yes — but there is an important detail most people don’t know.
The simple receipt confirming that you submitted your application does not authorize you to work. What enables work is the Notice of Start of the Administrative Procedure (Comunicación de Inicio del Procedimiento Administrativo), a separate document issued by the Case Processing Unit (UTEX).
As soon as you receive that document:
✅ You are authorized to work in any sector and across all of Spanish territory
✅ You automatically receive a Social Security Number (NUSS)
✅ You have a recognized right to public healthcare
⚠️ Validity: the authorization granted has an initial validity of 1 year. After that period, you will need to move to the regular categories provided for in the Immigration Regulation.
Is This Permit Valid in the European Union?
No. The residence and work permit granted in this process is exclusive to Spain. It does not authorize residence or work in any other European Union country.
Who Can Help You (Even for Free)?
The Ministry created the Register of Immigration Collaborators (RECEX), made up of social organizations and unions that offer free advice and can represent you in the process.
You can also hire:
- An immigration lawyer
- A social graduate (graduado social)
- An administrative agent (gestor administrativo)
💡 Via Espanha recommendation: don’t trust unregistered agents. Consult only authorized professionals or RECEX entities. The process is free — you do not need to pay any fees to the government to apply.
What Happens After Approval?
Did you receive a favorable decision? Great. You now have 1 month to apply for your Foreigner Identity Card (TIE) at the National Police Documentation Unit.
Don’t miss that deadline — the TIE is the physical document that proves your legal status in Spain.
Historical Context: Spain Has Done This Before
This is not an unprecedented process. Spain has a well-established history of regularizations:
| Year | Prime Minister | Approved Applications |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Felipe González | 38,294 |
| 1991-92 | Felipe González | 114,423 |
| 1996 | Felipe González | 21,294 |
| 2000 | José María Aznar | 264,153 |
| 2001 | José María Aznar | 239,174 |
| 2005 | Zapatero | 576,506 |
The 2026 regularization has the potential to surpass all previous records.
Summary: Dates You Can’t Forget
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| April 15 | Royal Decree published in the BOE |
| April 16 | Online channel opens + in-person appointments begin |
| April 20 | In-person service starts at the offices |
| June 30 | ⛔ Final application deadline |
Official Links
🌐 Official portal: inclusion.gob.es/regularización
📞 Questions and appointments hotline: 060
🕐 Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30 am–2 pm and 4:30 pm–7:30 pm
Do you have specific questions about your case? Get in touch with the Via Espanha team. Our immigration specialists analyze your situation and point you to the best path.