Government Spain announced the start of the legalisation process for foreigners residing in the country without regulated status. The case can affect up to 500,000 people. The decision has sparked criticism of any Euro MPs who inform against the consequences for the Schengen area.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the procedure would cover persons residing in Spain at least 5 months before 31 December 2025. The condition is impunity. Migrants applying for global protection will besides be able to benefit from this anticipation if they apply before the date indicated. The government argues that many of these people have been working for years, frequently in a grey area, and legalization is to respond to the needs of the labour market.
Criticism in the European Parliament
During the February debate in European Parliament any Euro MPs objected to Madrid's decision. Jadwiga Wiśniewska from the European Conservatives and Reformists, she estimated that the Spanish Government's actions could violate the Schengen Borders Code and lead to a weakening of freedom of movement.
In her opinion, the neighbouring countries of Spain can re-establish border controls in response. This decision was made earlier Germany the advanced influx of migrants. Controls are to apply there until September 2026.
The Schengen Borders Code allows temporary reintroduction of controls at interior borders in the event of a serious threat to public policy or security.
Position of the European Commission
Commissioner for interior Affairs and Migration took the level in the debate Magnus Brunner. He stressed that part of migration decisions fall within the competence of the associate States. However, he pointed out that legalisation of residence in 1 country does not automatically mean the right to settle in another EU countries.
Ms PiS criticised this position, pointing to the deficiency of consistency in the Commission's approach to migration policy. In her opinion, this could exacerbate tensions between associate States.
The question of household reunification and security
Since 2003, EU rules have been in force to enable the families of third-country nationals to join. Persons legally residing in the Union may bring household members if they fulfil certain conditions, including a valid residence permit.
Critics of Spain's decision are afraid that, after legalisation, any migrants will be able to benefit from these provisions, which will increase the scale of migration.
The debate besides saw the subject of organised crime and human trafficking. Opponents of the Spanish decision point out that mass legalization programmes can be a sign of encouragement for smuggling networks.
The number of illegal crossings falls
Commissioner Magnus Brunner noted that the number of irregular crossings of the EU's external borders has fallen by 50% in the last 2 years. According to preliminary data Frontex In 2025, there were about 178,000 specified cases, or 26 percent little than a year earlier. This is the lowest level since 2021.
The exception was the Western Mediterranean way leading to Spain, where the number of crossings increased by 14 percent year to year.
The dispute over Madrid's decision shows that migration policy remains 1 of the most controversial topics in the Union. On the 1 hand, there are labour marketplace needs and humanitarian arguments. On the another hand, concerns about the safety and stableness of the Schengen area.
