The Spanish government has announced that more than 600,000 undocumented migrants have applied to regularize their legal status under a major immigration initiative aimed at integrating migrants into the formal labor market and addressing workforce shortages in key sectors.

According to Secretary of State for Migration Pilar Cancela and Secretary of State for Social Security Borja Suárez, approximately 609,737 migrants out of an estimated 1.17 million undocumented residents in Spain submitted applications during the program’s application period, which ran from April 16 to June 30.

Under the program, undocumented migrants who had been living in Spain for at least five months before the end of 2025 and who have no criminal record are eligible for a renewable one-year residence permit. Applicants are also granted temporary work permits while their applications are being processed.

Spanish officials said that around 160,000 applicants had already entered formal employment by June 30 thanks to the temporary work permits. Additionally, about 11,000 people have so far received full one-year residence permits.

The government is working with employers in the construction, tourism, transport, and care sectors to help migrants find jobs and support their integration into the labor market.

Observers say the initiative represents one of Spain’s largest migrant regularization efforts in recent years and reflects the country’s strategy of addressing labor shortages while providing legal pathways for undocumented residents to participate in the formal economy.