In Spain, almost 43,000 migrants applied for legalization in three days.

**In Spain, almost 43,000 migrants applied for legalization in three days**

In the first three days of the emergency regularization program, Spain received **42,790 online applications**. About 30 thousand more people signed up for an in-person appointment, which began on Monday.

The program grants the right to **an annual residence permit with the right to extension** to those who have lived in Spain for at least five months, have a clean criminal record and applied before June 30.

The government estimates the number of potential participants at **500,000 people**, the independent Funcas center at **840,000**.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called the program "an act of justice and necessity": people who already live and work in the country should do so legally, pay taxes and have equal rights.

Spain stands out from the rest of Europe, where most countries are tightening migration policies. In Spain, key industries such as agriculture, tourism, and services are heavily dependent on migrants from Latin America and Africa.

This is the seventh amnesty in the history of modern Spain (the previous ones were held from 1986 to 2005, including under conservative governments).

(Euronews, April 20-26, 2026)