Overview
- The application window closed on June 30 and preliminary tallies reported by multiple outlets exceed 1.2 million submissions, far above government forecasts.
- The government has mounted a rapid political and legal defence, citing backing from European Commission spokespeople and a favourable Council of State review to argue the decree is legally solid.
- The Spanish Supreme Court has said it may ask the EU Court of Justice to rule on compatibility with EU law and is studying whether to suspend parts of the judicial procedure.
- Administrative offices and unions say the system is overwhelmed with major backlogs and limited trained staff, leaving most files unresolved and raising calls to extend or slow the process.
- The policy was pushed through by Podemos without a parliamentary vote and the government frames it as a way to reduce informal work and fill labour shortages while critics warn of political fallout and operational strain.