As an immigrant myself, I know many people who have been waiting for news like this for years. Friends, colleagues and families who came to Spain looking for stability, to work, to contribute, and to build a life.

Without making this political, it has been genuinely moving to see the hope in people’s eyes. For many families, this is not an abstract policy discussion. It is something that could change their day-to-day reality.

That is precisely why clarity and responsibility matter so much right now.

Spain’s extraordinary regularisation of foreign nationals in 2026 has become one of the most discussed immigration topics in recent years, and understandably so.

At the same time, it is also one of the most misinterpreted.

Social media posts, WhatsApp voice notes and premature offers for paid services have created confusion among people who live in Spain and are simply trying to understand whether this process applies to them, and what they should realistically do next.

So it is important to start with facts.

A historic announcement, but not yet in force

The Spanish government has announced a decree that will lead to an extraordinary regularisation of foreign nationals already living in Spain. According to official statements, this is the first large-scale regularisation in more than 20 years, and it is expected to benefit over 500,000 people.

The Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Elma Saiz, described the measure as necessary to respond to the reality already present in Spanish society. The stated objectives are to recognise people who are already living in the country, to provide legal certainty and access to rights, and to simplify administrative procedures that have historically created barriers.

However, one clarification is essential.

This is not yet published in the BOE

At the time of writing, the extraordinary regularisation is not yet in force.

What exists is a draft Real Decreto that has been approved by the government and is now moving through the formal administrative process. Until it is published in the BOE (Boletín Oficial del Estado):

• Applications cannot be submitted
• No legal rights are generated
• No files can be formally processed

This is why caution is important. Being informed is useful. Acting too early is not.

Expected timeline for the regularisation

Based on the draft and official communications, the expected application window is:

• Start: early April 2026
• End: 30 June 2026

This means the process will be time-limited. Once it opens, demand is expected to be high and administrative systems are likely to be under pressure.

Preparation, not urgency, will make the difference.

Who may benefit from the extraordinary regularisation

According to the current draft, the regularisation is designed for two main groups.

1. Asylum seekers (international protection applicants)

A specific pathway is foreseen for people who:

• Applied for asylum in Spain before 31 December 2025
• Have been living in Spain for an extended period
• Are socially and or professionally integrated
• Have a pending or rejected asylum application

The aim is to resolve long-term situations of legal uncertainty affecting people who have already built their lives in Spain.

2. Other foreign nationals living in Spain before 31 December 2025

A second pathway introduces a one-time exceptional residence authorisation for people who:

• Were physically present in Spain before 31 December 2025
• Can prove at least five months of continuous presence
• Have no criminal record
• Do not pose a risk to public order
• Are not subject to entry bans or non-return commitments
• Pay the corresponding administrative fee

This pathway is not limited to asylum seekers, which significantly broadens the scope of the regularisation.

How presence in Spain may be proven

The draft allows for flexible evidence to prove presence in Spain. This may include:

• Padrón (municipal registration)
• Rental agreements
• Medical appointment records
• Certificates from social or community services
• Proof of remittances or money transfers

This flexibility is especially relevant for people who, due to their administrative situation, were unable to access padrón registration or formal contracts.

Criminal records: a key requirement that takes time

One requirement is central and non-negotiable.

Applicants must not have criminal records, either in Spain or in countries where they have previously lived.

In practice, this usually involves:

• Requesting criminal record certificates from the country of origin and sometimes other countries
• Legalisation or apostille
• Possible sworn translation into Spanish

This process can take weeks or even months, depending on the country and the embassy involved. Because the regularisation window is limited, this is one of the few steps that genuinely makes sense to prepare in advance, even before the BOE publication.

What type of permit would be granted

If approved, the extraordinary regularisation would grant:

• Residence and work authorisation
• Validity for both employed and self-employed work
• An initial duration of one year

According to official statements, once an application is admitted for processing, the applicant may reside and work legally in Spain on a provisional basis, even before the final resolution.

The administration would have up to three months to decide, but work authorisation may be enabled shortly after admission to processing.

Family members

The draft also includes provisions to protect family unity.

Minor children and adult children with disabilities may benefit from a five-year residence authorisation, providing greater legal stability for families.

What not to do right now

Until the Real Decreto is published in the BOE:

• Do not pay for so-called immediate or guaranteed filings
• Do not rely on viral checklists or informal promises
• Do not submit documentation without a clear legal or administrative strategy

What does make sense:

• Stay informed through reliable sources
• Review your personal situation calmly
• Prepare documentation that is known to take time, especially criminal records and apostilles

How I can help, and when legal support is needed

At Virtual Assistant in Madrid, we support people who are stuck with Spanish paperwork, especially when appointments are unavailable or the process feels unclear.

If you are unable to find cita previa for padrón, fingerprints (TIE), or other administrative procedures, we can handle the appointment search and preparation for you.

Our services focus on the practical side of Spanish administration, including:

• Booking appointments when they are difficult to secure
• Padrón registration and updates
• NIE and TIE forms and fingerprint appointment preparation
• Document organisation and administrative guidance

For more complex situations, or when legal interpretation is required, we collaborate with specialised immigration lawyers and refer cases accordingly, so you receive proper legal advice when it is actually needed.

If you are unsure where your case fits, you can always write to us and we will point you in the right direction.

📩 Contact: vainmadrid@gmail.com

A final word

The extraordinary regularisation planned for Spain in 2026 is real, historic and potentially life-changing. But it is not active yet.

For now, the most sensible approach is to stay informed, prepare carefully and avoid rushed decisions.

When the BOE is published, things will move quickly.
Until then, calm preparation and reliable support make all the difference.