Is mass regularization necessary in Spain?

Is mass regularization necessary in Spain? Keys to the current debate

In recent months, the debate over a possible mass regularization of migrants in an irregular administrative situation has gained momentum in Spain.

The proposal, promoted by a popular legislative initiative (ILP) initiated by the Regularization Now movement and supported by more than 500.000 signatures, has been approved by the Congress of Deputies.

The objective of the proposal is clear: to grant residency authorization to approximately half a million people currently living and working in the country without papers, many of them settled, with children in school, or performing essential jobs in sectors such as agriculture, elder care, or hospitality.

While its proponents argue that this is a necessary, fair, and realistic measure, some political and media sectors criticize it as irresponsible or even as an incentive for illegal immigration. The debate touches on legal, economic, ethical, and social issues and puts to the test the model of integration and coexistence that Spain aims to project in the coming years.

In this article, we analyze what mass regularization means, what precedents exist in Spain, and what the current proposal entails.

---

What is a mass regularization?

A massive regularization It is an extraordinary procedure, promoted by the State, which allows a large number of foreigners in an irregular administrative situation to access a residence permit. and, in many cases, work, within the national territory.

Unlike the ordinary or individual routes provided for in the Immigration Law (such as social or work roots), this type of regularization is applied collectively and generally.

There is no single legal definition of "mass regularization," but in practice, it is an exceptional, temporary measure motivated by social, labor, humanitarian, or structural reasons. It may be driven by economic crises, labor market needs, migration pressure, or even political decisions aimed at addressing long-standing exclusion.

---

Regularizations in Spain: The background of rootedness.

Despite the debate it has generated, this proposal is not the first similar initiative to be implemented in Spain.

Throughout our country's history, several massive regularizations have been carried out since the 80s.

These measures have been used by various governments as a way to manage the migration situation in times of legislative change, economic pressure, or the need to administratively regulate people already residing in the country.

List of background information

• 1986. The first extraordinary regularization process for immigrants in Spain was promoted by the Socialist government of Felipe González, coinciding with the entry into force of Spain's first Immigration Law (Organic Law 7/1985). The process established as its sole requirement proof of irregular status in the country since before July 24, 1985.
• 1991. Five years later, Felipe González's government launched the second extraordinary regularization process. This time, in addition to proof of residency, applicants were required to present a valid job offer or a viable, permanent plan for self-employment.
• 1996, 2000 y 2001. During these years, the government of José María Aznar implemented three regularization processes. The first was intended for people who had previously held a work or residence permit. In 2000, the prior residency requirement was extended to include having filed an application. Finally, in 2001, a regularization process was established solely for citizens from Ecuador, following an accident in Lorca.
• 2005. This was the latest regularization to date, carried out by the government of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. This time, the conditions of the job offer were specified: a contract of at least six months and 6 hours per week was required.

---

Figures of rooting as an example

These extraordinary regularizations not only had immediate effects on the administrative status of thousands of people, but also left their mark on the general immigration regime in Spain.

A clear example of this is the consolidation of the figures of roots, especially labor and social, now recognized as ordinary means of obtaining a residence permit for exceptional circumstances.

These residence permits are an institutional response not only to the administrative situation of migrants, but also to the reality of the underground economy and de facto social integration.

Through roots, the legal system recognizes consolidated personal trajectories that, although outside the regular channels of entry, form a stable part of the country's social and labor fabric.

However, these measures have not been without criticism from the outset. Some experts warn of the potential "pull effect" they could generate, the risk of administrative overload, fraud in the process, or even their use for political purposes.

---

What does the current initiative propose?

The extraordinary regularization bill currently under debate was approved by Congress in April 2024, based on a Popular Legislative Initiative supported by a broad social base.

Since then, the text has remained without significant progress, although in 2025 the Government resumed processing with a concrete proposal.

Initially, the cut-off date was planned to be December 31, 2023, but within the framework of parliamentary negotiations, it has been agreed to extend that deadline to December 31, 2024.

The measure will consist of granting a residence and work permit for exceptional circumstances, which would complement the recent reform of the Immigration Regulations, in force since May 20, 2025.

The procedure will be implemented through a Royal Decree, which must specify the requirements for accessing this regularization.

---

Advanced criteria

Among the criteria already put forward are: proof of residence in Spain before the deadline, lack of a criminal record, not being subject to an expulsion order, and proof of a vulnerable situation.

For the time being, a prior employment contract will not be required. However, humanitarian organizations and organizations have expressed concern about the possible exclusion of asylum seekers who have received a negative decision, which could limit the scope of the measure.

Once the text is approved by Congress, the legislative process will continue in the Senate.

Following its publication in the Official State Gazette (BOE), the Government will have a maximum of six months to approve the Royal Decree, which will establish the procedural details, deadlines, and final requirements for beneficiaries.

The reactivation of this legislative proposal reflects the constant tension between regulatory design and the country's migration reality.

The challenge, beyond the specific content of the measure, lies in the capacity of the legal and administrative system to offer coherent, effective, and sustainable responses to a situation that, while not new, continues to require structural solutions.