The Spanish government announced this week the adoption of a reform of immigration regulations that, according to it, will allow the regularization of tens of thousands more immigrants in the next three years.
“The objective is to strengthen and expand access routes to regularization for migrants who are in Spain, so that they can lead a full life as citizens: with rights and duties,” explained Elma Saiz, Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration of the government of Pedro Sánchez.
“With the new features we have incorporated, we estimate that around 300 people will be able to be regularized every year over the next 3 years,” said Saiz, recalling that in 2023 the situation of 210 people was regularized.
These news will come into force in six months, approximately.
According to the minister, “there are 2,9 million foreigners who contribute to Social Security every month, representing 13,6% of the total number of members, two points more than just two years ago”.
“As President Sánchez said a few weeks ago, Spain has to choose between being an open and prosperous country or being a closed and poor country,” the minister added.
Sánchez estimates that the Spain needs immigration to cover labor shortages and counter population aging, which could jeopardize pensions and the welfare state, according to the AFP.
“The new regulation is adapted to European legislation, in addition to taking into account the demands of our labor market, the needs of migrants and the demographic challenges of Spain,” explained the government in a message on the social network X.
Simplified bureaucracy
The reform makes visa requirements more flexible, extends their duration in some cases and simplifies bureaucracy. It also reduces from three to two years the period during which illegal immigrants must live in Spain to automatically be entitled to a visa.
A new category will regularize those whose first residence permit expired without being renewed.
Student visas will be made more flexible to allow students to combine studies with up to 30 hours of work per week, and rules for family reunification will also be relaxed.
Of the 49 million inhabitants of Spain, 6,3 million are foreigners, many of them Latin American, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics.
Spain's more open stance on immigration contrasts sharply with a European trend in which conservative parties campaigning on anti-immigration platforms are gaining ground across the European Union. including Italy.
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