Overview
- The application window closed on Tuesday, June 30, with Spanish authorities and NGOs reporting roughly 1.2–1.3 million submissions far above the government's original 500,000 estimate.
- About 360,000 cases have already been declared admissible and granted provisional one-year residence and work permits that are valid only in Spain.
- The Migration Ministry says it will not extend the filing deadline and officials have up to three months from the close of the window to decide each application.
- NGOs ran a last-minute drive urging people to file incomplete dossiers to gain extra time to produce consular papers and apostilles, but they warn at least 20% of filings may be denied for missing documents.
- The move, enacted by royal decree by a minority government, has provoked sharp domestic opposition and friction with some EU governments while business groups argue regularisation will ease labour shortages.