Overview
- Applications open in early April and close at the end of June for people who were in Spain before 31 December 2025 and can document at least five months of continuous presence.
- Accepted applicants receive a provisional residence that enables legal employment and access to public healthcare, with a path to a one‑year permit and then longer‑term status.
- Evidence to prove presence can include lease contracts, utility bills, medical records or municipal registration, applicants must have no criminal record, and co‑resident minors are included.
- The government estimates around 500,000 beneficiaries, while NGOs and think tanks put the potential total higher, with some estimates reaching 600,000 to 840,000.
- The decree bypasses parliament, draws sharp criticism from the PP and Vox over a feared ‘pull effect,’ and has prompted concern from some EU partners, even as supporters cite economic gains and demographic needs.