Spain has more than 1,3 million pending residence permit applications, according to government data released this week. The growing demand is a consequence of... Policies adopted to attract foreign workers and address the labor shortage in the country.
In addition to residency applications, the Spanish government also counts approximately 1 million citizenship requests from descendants of Spaniards, mostly originating from Latin America.
The data was confirmed by the Immigration Office. (Immigration Office), responsible for managing migration processes in the country.
Demand reflects economic strategy.
With an aging population and economic growth above the European Union average, the Spain has been easing the rules for the entry and regularization of immigrants.In 2024, the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 3,2%, compared to the European average of 0,8%.
For 2025, the government projects a 2,9% increase in GDP. The International Monetary Fund estimates growth of 2,5%. The expectation is that the unemployment rate, currently at 10,4%, will fall to 8,7% by 2028.
Sectors such as construction, technology, and domestic consumption are driving the demand for workers.
Lack of infrastructure puts pressure on service.
The high volume of orders puts pressure on the structure of Immigration Office, which faces difficulties with staff shortages and outdated technological systems. Even with the overload, the situation is more agile than in countries like Portugal, where there are processes that have been stalled for more than three years.
In Portugal, the government even set up a task force to unblock around 900.000 residency applications, but the model will be discontinued by the end of 2025, with the resumption of regular services by AIMA. (Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum).
Race for citizenship before the deadline.
In October, there was a significant increase in applications for Spanish citizenship from Brazilians. The reason was the expiration of the so-called Democratic Memory Law, also known as the Grandchildren's Law, which facilitated access to Spanish nationality through descent.
The rule expired on October 22, 2025. It allowed children and grandchildren of Spaniards to apply for citizenship without age limits and without the requirement of residency in Spain.
O The Spanish consulate in São Paulo has registered an increase in demand. in the weeks leading up to the deadline.
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