The Ministry of the Interior has already received 291 applications from foreign prisoners seeking to regularize their status

The Ministry of the Interior has already received 291 applications for the regularization of foreign prisoners. The data, updated as of July 29, 2026, has been posted by the General Secretariat of Penitentiary Institutions on the Transparency Portal. Note that all of these applications are for inmates in pretrial detention—that is, those who have not yet been convicted.

These requests are based on Royal Decree 316/2026, which amended the 2000 Immigration Regulations. If you are in this situation, you have the right to request regularization as long as you do not have a criminal record. And keep in mind, the National Police will assess whether you pose a risk to public safety.

Now, the breakdown by autonomous community: Murcia leads the way with 46 applications spread across two facilities. Madrid follows, with 43 across seven prisons. Also noteworthy are Castellón (38), Alicante (34), Córdoba (23), and the Canary Islands (23). On an individual basis, one facility in Murcia has received 38 applications, and a prison in Castellón has received 35.

The matter has not been without controversy. The Unified Police Union has criticized the regularization of people in pretrial detention, arguing that it complicates future deportations. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska has responded clearly: anyone with a criminal record shouldn’t even think about it—they will not be eligible for this process.

Since April, prisons have been informing foreign inmates about this extraordinary procedure. In some facilities, such as the one in Zaragoza, they’ve put up posters and referred interested individuals to educators to address any questions. And if you have a family member or acquaintance in this situation, make sure they get proper advice before taking this step—because it’s not worth making a mistake.

If you’re having trouble with your appointment or the application process, message us on Telegram: https://t.me/cita_extranjeria