Spain Eases Immigration Rules to Streamline Entry, Work, and Residency for Migrants

Spain has rolled out a new set of Immigration Regulation changes that came into effect on May 20, aimed at simplifying entry and residency procedures for non-EU migrants.

The initiative is expected to regularise around 300,000 individuals per year, with a focus on flexibility and reducing bureaucratic obstacles.

Speaking about the reforms, Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Elma Saiz, explained that the changes are designed to “simplify and streamline procedures,” eliminating redundancy like “the double checking of the same requirements” and curbing the need for excessive documentation, especially in cases where the wrong channels were used. The goal, she added, is to cut down waiting times and improve clarity for applicants.

One major reform is a reduction in the residency requirement—migrants now need to live in Spain for only two years, down from three, to qualify under the new provisions. The system is also more inclusive regarding employment: migrants can now work as either employees or self-employed from the outset.

The updated framework introduces five official settlement schemes, which are:

• Social

• Socio-educational

• Work-related

• Family-related

• Family-based (including a second-chance option)

Additionally, a new residence and work permit has been created to make it easier for employers to hire foreign talent.

Students also benefit from the reforms. Under the new rules, international students in Spain will now be allowed to work up to 30 hours per week, even in roles unrelated to their degree, and their study-related residency permits will now last for the entire duration of their academic program.

However, not everyone is celebrating. A coalition of migrant advocacy groups, including Caritas, CEAR, and the Jesuit Migrant Service, have filed an appeal with Spain’s Supreme Court, warning that the changes may negatively impact asylum seekers.

Their main concern is that the reforms do not allow asylum applicants to count the time spent waiting for a decision on their asylum claims towards their residency requirements if their asylum is eventually denied. According to the organisations, this could unjustly penalise people whose protection claims are still being processed.

As El Nuevo Siglo and Murcia Today reported, these groups fear the changes could “negatively affect the rights of applicants for international protection.” Despite the intention to enhance integration and streamline the legal pathways for migrants, the legal challenge suggests tensions remain over inclusivity and fairness in how the new rules will be applied.

By fLEXI tEAM