Spain Closes Extraordinary Regularisation Process After Unprecedented 1.3 Million Applications

The Application Window for Spain’s 2026 Extraordinary Regularisation Programme Closes on 30 June 2026 

The clock is ticking on Spain’s 2026 Extraordinary Regularisation programme as the deadline approaches fast. The application window which opened on 16 April 2026 closes today, 30 June.

At the moment, there are no plans to extend the application deadline or introduce an alternative route for those who did not submit their application in time.

While we wait for confirmed, final data from Spanish government sources on the numbers of applicants, approvals and rejections, as well as further insights from academia, media and think tanks on the socio-political and economic impact of this mass regularisation of undocumented migrants (a first in 21 years for Spain), let’s take a quick look into how things stand at the moment and what are your options if you miss the deadline.  

How Many Applications Have Been Received Until Now? 

The Spanish Government projected that around half a million migrants will be regularised under the extraordinary administrative regularisation programme. Official data received in mid-June revealed that approximately 900,000 applications were received till then, of which 360,000 had already been accepted for processing.

As of now, we do not have the latest official figure on applications, approvals or rejections. However, data from the Mercurio platform (which registers applications anywhere from Spain) show that approximately 1.3 million applications have already been received.

This figure corresponds with a National Police report which claimed that around 1,350,000 people could be impacted by the programme.

What Is the Public Sentiment in Spain About the Programme? 

It can be said without reservation that the majority of the Spanish public have wholeheartedly supported this programme.

In fact, a 2024 citizens’ legislative initiative (which collected over 700,000 signatures and was backed by hundreds of humanitarian organisations, unions, businesses, and the Catholic Church) culminated in the regularisation on undocumented migrants in Spain.

From a political standpoint, the left had been united behind this programme from the start. The Sumar movement, a coalition partner in the Spanish Government, has recently called for an extension of the deadline as well.

The People’s Party supported the programme initially, but later launched a harsh criticism using the same rhetoric as the far-right Vox party.

How Has the Programme Impacted the Undocumented Migrants?

The undocumented migrants are calling this programme a ‘lifeline’, as it gives them a unique chance to redeem a life of safety and dignity at last.

While many struggle to arrange the required evidence (especially the criminal record certificate), private lawyers, NGOs, and certain unions have been working continuously with the applicants to process the paperwork.

What Are My Options If I Have Missed the Deadline? 

If you miss the deadline, your application will no longer be accepted even if you apply shortly after. Chances of any extension are thin to non-existent, with the Spanish Government declaring time and again that it does not intend to extend the deadline.

If you haven’t applied for regularisation and are currently in Spain without a valid residence permit, you must apply through one of the standard Arraigo routes once you have been living in Spain for two years:

• Arraigo social, which requires demonstrating 2+ years of continuous residence in Spain, plus social integration (community ties, language, etc.)
• Arraigo sociolaboral, which requires 2+ years of residence and proof of employment or a job offer in Spain
• Arraigo familiar, which is applicable only if you have close family members who are Spanish citizens or legal residents

Keep in mind that all the above routes are much more challenging, having stricter eligibility and documentation requirements and a longer processing time.

Call our specialist Spanish immigration lawyers at +44 (0)333 414 9244 today, or contact us online, to discuss your case.