Government Decision Spain on the launch of the process of legalising the residence of up to 500 000 illegal migrants has sparked a heated debate in the forum European Union. any Euro-Parliamentarians are informing that Madrid's actions can make tensions in the Schengen area and force the restoration of border controls by neighbouring countries.
Legalisation of 500 000 migrants in Spain
The government in Madrid announced in January the launch of an extraordinary process of legalising the residence of foreigners already residing in the country. In late January 2026, the Spanish Council of Ministers approved an urgent examination of the Royal Decree on this matter.
The next part of the text is under the expression of the Euro MP Jadwiga Wiśniewska
Procedure – announced by the Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez – is intended to cover persons who stayed in Spain for at least 5 months before 31 December 2025. Migrants applying for global protection may besides benefit if they have applied before the date indicated. The condition is impunity.
The decision is linked, among others, to the needs of the labour market. Many foreigners have worked in Spain for years, frequently in the grey area. Legalisation is intended to let for their formal employment and inclusion in the taxation system.
🇪🇸 Pablo Iglesias, founder of the Podemos organization and b. Deputy Prime Minister says precisely the same:
"More than half a million people can decision from illegal position – that is, cannon meat for business janusz and Spanish officers of the ICE – to the position of citizens from... https://t.co/QteZw1e6w0pic.twitter.com/jW9xe7bTXV
— Adam Stara (@delestoile) February 1, 2026
Criticism in the European Parliament
During the February session European Parliament held a debate on the decision of the Spanish Government. any MEPs considered that Madrid's actions could have consequences for the Community as a whole.
– Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced the legalization of over half a million illegal migrants. If we add to this a directive on household reunification, respective more people may actually enter the European Union. It is definitely essential to say that this action strikes European law, violates the Schengen Code and can lead to the demolition of the Schengen area,” he emphasised in an interview with Newseria Jadwiga Wiśniewska, European Conservative and Reformist Euro MP. – This could be a prelude to something that will be implemented in the future on a large scale.
According to the Euro MPs neighbouring Spain, they may decide to reconstruct border controls, as they did Germany in the face of increased migratory pressure.
Schengen area and border controls
Under the provisions of the Border Code Schengen associate States may temporarily reconstruct controls at interior borders in the event of a serious threat to public policy or security. Germany has taken this step in view of the advanced level of illegal migration and the overburdening of the asylum system. The review period was extended until September 2026.
– 1 of the most crucial freedoms is the free movement of people between countries. What Prime Minister Sánchez is doing violates this basic principle. The European Commission should take decisive action to tackle this – believes Jadwiga Wiśniewska.
European Commission on fresh Spanish citizens
During the debate, the EU Commissioner for interior Affairs and Migration spoke Magnus Brunner. He stressed that although part of migration policy remains within the competence of the associate States, national decisions cannot have adverse effects in another parts of the Union.
He besides pointed out that legalisation of residence in Spain does not mean an automatic right of residence in another associate States.
– I am very disappointed with the European Commission's approach. She felt that this was an interior substance for Spain. If a migration policy is an interior substance for a associate State, it should never make a migration pact," he emphasises Jadwiga Wiśniewska. "We see this dualism that annoys all associate States. There must be very strong action, due to the fact that the flood of Europe by illegal migrants who will besides usage this household reunification directive in the future will lead to a deeper safety crisis in the European Union.
Directive on household reunification and concerns about increased migration
Since 2003, EU government has been in force to enable the family-relationship of third-country nationals legally residing within the Community. A individual holding a residence licence valid for at least 1 year may apply to bring his closest household members.
Critics of Madrid's decision indicate that the combination of legalisation with household reunification rules can increase the scale of migration.
– Human smugglers to the European Union can open the most costly champagne. 1 of the most profitable criminal businesses will run even faster. There's besides drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, human trafficking. The way these smuggling networks work is planned, systematic and unfortunately highly professional – believes Jadwiga Wiśniewska. "This strikes safety in all associate States due to the fact that these people, after obtaining the right given by Sánchez, can decision freely throughout the European Union.
The Spanish police estimation that legalization will cover up to 1.35 million immigrants – twice as much as projected by the government half a million. It foresees 750,000 to a million applications from illegal immigrants plus 250-350 1000 from asylum seekers, which is 1-1.35 million. https://t.co/QteZw1e6w0pic.twitter.com/x5mvbKk32p
— Adam Stara (@delestoile) February 25, 2026
Data on illegal migration to the EU
As Magnus Brunner pointed out, the number of illegal border crossings in the EU has fallen by 50% over the last 2 years. From preliminary data Frontex It appears that in 2025 the number of irregular crossings of the EU's external borders decreased by 26% year-on-year to around 178,000 cases. This is the lowest level since 2021 and little than half of the number recorded in 2023.
At the same time, the western Mediterranean way leading to Spain, utilized by people from Algeria, Somalia or Morocco, was the only 1 to see an increase of 14 percent year-on-year.
The Commissioner announced that the EU's precedence remains to increase the effectiveness of return policy and to combat migrant smuggling.
– We say tight boundaries are safe streets. Like the European Commission, we besides say "fast and effective deportations" and we prepare appropriate regulations," he points out. Jadwiga Wiśniewska, assessing that the Commission's position in this word had changed under force from parliamentarians.
Also watch the conversation with Krzysztof Inglot, individual Service
Source: Newseria Business, X portal, YouTube, mat. own.
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