Seville was the Andalusian province with the second-highest number of applications submitted for the 2026 extraordinary regularization program: 33,690. Only Málaga surpassed it. Across Andalusia, there were 161,557 applications, and nationwide, more than 1.1 million. The government had expected half that number. As a result, law firms specializing in immigration law are overwhelmed.
At the law firm Méndez Izquierdo Abogados in Seville, they confirm it: inquiries have skyrocketed. Migrants want to know how their cases are progressing, whether they have received provisional work authorization, how to respond to requests for documentation, and, above all, what will happen when their one-year permit expires. “Once the application is submitted, it’s essential to keep track of notifications and respond correctly,” warns Ángela Méndez, an attorney at the firm.
Not everyone who applied for regularization will obtain it. Each case is reviewed individually. Those who were not approved do not lose all their options. The current Immigration Regulations provide for several categories of residency based on ties to Spain: second chance, socio-occupational, social, socio-educational, and family-based. Except for family-based residency, you are required to prove two years of continuous residence in Spain. If you meet that requirement, you may have an alternative route.
Inquiries about Spanish citizenship through residency are also on the rise. To apply, you need a period of legal, continuous residency immediately preceding the application. Additionally, you must demonstrate good civic conduct and integration. Note: Registration with the municipal census alone does not count as a residence permit. “Before starting the process, we must verify your administrative status, documentation, absences from Spain, and criminal record,” explains Méndez.
The foreign population in Seville now exceeds 65,000 people, representing 9.32% of the total. In one year, it grew by 7.9%, while the general population rose by just 0.1%. Given this context, it’s important to stay on top of deadlines and not overlook the requirements set by the General Directorate of Migration Management.
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