You can now apply: The special regularization period begins on April 16

It all kicks off on April 16: half a million undocumented individuals will be able to apply for legal residency. Minister Elma Saiz announced this on January 27, and the Official State Gazette (BOE) confirmed it on April 15—so the process gets underway the very next day. The process is done online via the “Mercurio” platform. Can’t or don’t know how to do it online? Don’t worry: starting Monday, April 20, you can schedule an in-person appointment by calling 060 or online. Get moving—appointments are filling up fast.

The requirements are very clear: you must have been in Spain before December 31, 2025, and prove at least five months of continuous residence when you request the appointment. A municipal registration record is acceptable, but so is any dated public or private document that proves your identity. One important thing: no criminal record. You’ll need certificates from Spain, your country of origin, and any country where you’ve lived in the last five years. If you have a final deportation order due to a crime, forget about it.

To obtain the permit, you must demonstrate that you have worked or intend to work, have dependent minor children, adult children with disabilities, or first-degree ascendants, or are in a vulnerable situation. If you meet the requirements, the initial authorization lasts one year and allows you to work as soon as your application is accepted for processing—which is estimated to take about 15 days. For minors, the permit is valid for five years. So, if this applies to you, get ready.

Important: This is not citizenship. Regularization grants you residency, but not the right to vote in national or regional elections. You can only vote in municipal elections if you’re from the EU or from countries with an agreement—Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, etc.—and have been registered as a resident for five years. To obtain Spanish citizenship, you need ten years of legal residency—or two if you’re from an Ibero-American country—and you must pass exams administered by the Instituto Cervantes. So, be patient.

If it’s your turn, get moving: start gathering your documents now. Your municipal registration is key, but also keep contracts, bills, medical reports, and any paperwork with your name and date. If you have questions, the 060 hotline and immigration offices are extending their hours with 550 additional staff members. Don’t wait until the last minute: demand will be high, and appointments fill up fast. Hurry—this won’t wait.

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