53 news · newest first · updated every morning
Visas and residency in Spain: digital nomad permits, Beckham Law, NIE/TIE procedures, and immigration rule changes. The paperwork side of Spanish life, decoded.
Get visa news in your inbox every morning →The European Commission is examining Junts's complaint about Spain's regularisation by Royal Decree. The process drew 1,174,968 applications before closing on June 30; many are still being resolved. Junts argues Spain breached EU rules. The Commission has not ruled out a future infringement procedure.
→ Read the full digestExtranjería App sends free Android and iPhone alerts when immigration appointment slots open across Spanish provinces. It can help with NIE (foreigner identification number) or TIE (foreigner identity card) renewals and other procedures. Users must still book through the official service after receiving an alert.
→ Read the full digestThe Government says it cannot meet a Supreme Court order to review more than 160.000 nationality files granted under the ley de nietos before the upcoming elections. 76.000 files are digital, while 80.000 physical files at consulates require manual checks, making a timely review impossible, according to El Diario. Residents whose files remain unverified could lose voting rights.
→ Read the full digestSpain's extraordinary regularization process, expected to finish in September, remains incomplete. Official figures from July 2 show 1.174.978 applications, 609.737 admissions and about 11.000 final resolutions. At nine law firms, only 27,94% of admitted cases were definitively resolved, and applicants are "very angry," Legalteam says.
→ Read the full digestOnly a trickle of definitive resolutions has reached immigrants in Aragón after the three-month validation window closed. Nationally, 1.174.978 applications were filed between April 16 and June 30; 33.865 of them in Aragón. At the same time, foreign worker affiliation in Aragón rose over the summer, with the biggest increase in Social Security registrations since late April.
→ Read the full digestA Sigma Dos poll for El Mundo finds that 65.1% agree with the Supreme Court's precautionary suspension of the Ley de Nietos; 45% of PSOE voters view it favorably. The suspended law would have allowed descendants of Spaniards who left between 1936 and 1955 to apply for nationality and voting rights, potentially adding more than 500,000 new voters.
→ Read the full digestThe Interior Ministry returned 23 Sudanese nationals from Ceuta to Morocco, despite Sudan being a war-torn country. The ministry says all 23 rejected international protection; lawyers and NGOs question that and say the procedure lacked guarantees. About 90% of Sudanese asylum seekers in Spain obtain protection.
→ Read the full digestSpanish nationality cannot be withdrawn arbitrarily; the Civil Code sets specific grounds. These include voluntary acquisition of another nationality, exclusive use of a foreign nationality, and, for naturalized Spaniards, a final criminal sentence. Those living abroad can avoid loss by declaring their wish to keep Spanish nationality within three years.
→ Read the full digestSpanish National Police and Europol dismantled a transnational network involved in migrant trafficking, document forgery and money laundering. Six people were arrested in Spain, Austria, Italy and the UK. Security forces from 17 countries coordinated the operation.
→ Read the full digestThe Council of Transparency and Good Governance has ordered the Foreign Ministry to report how many people obtained Spanish nationality under the 2007 Historical Memory Law and the 2022 Democratic Memory Law. The 2022 law includes the 'ley de nietos' (grandchildren's law) route for descendants of Spaniards. The ruling could clarify how many people have used these nationality pathways.
→ Read the full digestSpain's Official State Gazette (BOE) published an Interior Ministry order extending controls at ports and airports for passengers arriving from Italy from September 23 to October 7. Italy initially imposed controls on travelers from Spain after the Ceuta migration crisis, when more than 80,000 people crossed the border; Spain responded with similar checks. The controls will be lifted automatically on October 7 unless a new reasoned order is issued.
→ Read the full digestPP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo is preparing a law to toughen access to Spanish nationality. Future applicants would face a harder language exam and a test on constitutional values. Naturalized citizens convicted of murder, sexual assault, terrorism, organized crime or repeat offenses could have their nationality revoked. The measure would apply if Feijóo reaches La Moncloa in 2027.
→ Read the full digestThe JEC has accepted the Supreme Court's precautionary order regarding the 'ley de nietos' route under the Democratic Memory Law. It asked the Census Office and consular registries for reports to verify the exile link of people who obtained or are applying for Spanish nationality through this route. Naturalized citizens and applicants could have their files reviewed and called into question.
→ Read the full digestThe Supreme Court suspended voting rights for people who obtained Spanish nationality through the Democratic Memory Law's ley de nietos provision, citing electoral transparency after a sharp rise in the overseas census. The measure affects new CERA registrations and those already registered, though it makes an exception for applicants with documented family ties to exiles. The CERA shows 408,262 more registered voters as of July 1, 2026, than in the 2023 general election census. The court acted after appeals by Iustitia Europa and Vox.
→ Read the full digestCongress approved a bill granting Spanish nationality to Sahrawis born when Western Sahara was under Spanish administration and to their descendants. The measure passed with support from government parties and their usual allies; PP and UPN abstained, and Vox cast the only vote against. It creates a new route to citizenship for this group. The law feeds into the wider debate on nationality and migration rules in Spain.
→ Read the full digestThe Supreme Court has provisionally suspended the voting rights of people naturalized under Spain's 'ley de nietos'. The order focuses on a 2022 instruction by Sofía Puente that presumed exile status for all Spaniards who left Spain between July 18, 1936 and December 31, 1955. That reinterpretation lifted proof requirements and expanded potential cases to about 2.5 million files, five times the government's original estimate of 500,000.
→ Read the full digestCongress is set to approve a law granting Spanish nationality by carta de naturaleza to Sahrawis born in the former Spanish colony before September 29, 1977, and their direct descendants. The measure comes from Sumar, with PSOE and its partners voting in favor; PP leans toward abstention and Vox opposes it. The initiative has advanced since March 2024 and now faces a plenary vote.
→ Read the full digestSpain approved a draft bill to reform asylum and immigration laws, speeding up returns and cutting the identification period from seven days to 72 hours. It updates refugee definitions, explicitly covering gender, gender identity or expression, and disability. A single command in Ceuta will prioritize migrant returns and repatriation. Foreign residents with pending cases may face faster procedures.
→ Read the full digestItaly will only reopen Schengen with Spain based on the 'very worrying' situation in Ceuta, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said. Italy reintroduced border controls on July 31 after the mass migrant entry. Spain has suspended Schengen with Italy until September 7. Controls remain for travelers moving between the two countries.
→ Read the full digestA floating barrier installed by the Guardia Civil off Ceuta in early August has triggered the legal mechanism for the return to Morocco of migrants who cross it without administrative procedures. The Supreme Court ruled on July 8 that people intercepted at sea must go through the return procedure, not border rejection. Morocco says it intercepted 294 migrants trying to reach Ceuta on Saturday and detained 61 people suspected of inciting irregular migration online. Italy is maintaining temporary controls on travelers from Spain until risks tied to a possible mass entry in Ceuta decline, according to Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.
→ Read the full digestSpain has restored temporary Schengen border controls on arrivals from Italy, identifying 2,143 passengers since Saturday. The checks cover 149 flights and involve 259 officers, with Barcelona El Prat recording the most activity. The controls run until September 7 and may cause delays for travelers.
→ Read the full digestNational Police have checked 1,033 passengers from non-EU countries arriving on flights from Italy over the weekend, following a government order linked to migrant arrivals in Italy. The controls, carried out by 109 officers, focused on Madrid-Barajas (223 passengers) and Barcelona-El Prat (552), with checks also at Málaga, Sevilla, and Alicante. Travelers from Italy should carry valid ID and be prepared for random inspections.
→ Read the full digestThe Government Delegation in Cantabria has switched to an automated system that assigns TIE fingerprint appointments directly to applicants. The change comes after appointments were being sold illegally for up to €200, making slots nearly impossible to obtain. The Cantabria Bar Association had pressed for reform, uncovering that some hospitality companies obtained appointments for employees through irregular channels.
→ Read the full digestSpain's population reached 49,801,559 on July 1, 2026, driven entirely by net migration. Foreign-born residents now total 10,291,807, representing one in five people in the country. Colombian (34,000), Venezuelan (23,300), and Moroccan (21,100) nationals made up the largest groups of newcomers. The Spanish-born population declined by 20,367 during the same quarter. The milestone underscores the demographic weight of immigration shaping Spanish society.
→ Read the full digestAt least 75 migrants have died and around 2,500 remain in Ceuta as the National Police began individual asylum screenings, following last week's mass crossing that saw 72,000 enter Spanish territory. Moroccan citizens whose asylum claims are rejected face return procedures, while EU interior ministers praised Spain's 'extraordinary work' in returning 70,000 people. Italian Prime Minister Meloni seized on the crisis to relaunch her anti-migration agenda, including deportation plans to third countries. The screening outcomes and EU political reactions may rewrite the rules for anyone seeking protection in Spain.
→ Read the full digestItaly began random document checks at airports and seaports for passengers arriving from Spain after temporarily suspending the Schengen Agreement. The move, prompted by the Ceuta migration crisis, affects both EU and non-EU travelers. Police check identity documents or passports, with additional screening only in case of anomalies. Travelers from Spain to Italy should carry valid identification.
→ Read the full digestColombians now account for 26% of all regularization applications in Spain. A record 812,473 Colombian travelers arrived in 2025, making Spain a primary destination after the pandemic and tighter US immigration rules. This surge could shape future visa policies and processing times.
→ Read the full digestCriminal groups are charging up to €6,000 for visa appointments at Spain's embassy in Islamabad, exploiting hundreds of Pakistani families with approved residency applications. Some families have waited over two years for an appointment despite having all authorizations in hand. The situation leaves them with no choice but to pay, according to ATPCat, an association that supports the Pakistani community in Spain. The practice severely impacts family reunification for Pakistani families.
→ Read the full digestThe Supreme Court has asked the Electoral Board (JEC) to provide documentation on the ley de nietos, which grants Spanish nationality to descendants of exiles. The request comes after organization Iustitia Europa appealed the suspension of the CERA census, arguing the law affects electoral rolls. The outcome could influence future nationality applications under this route, a key path to Spanish citizenship for some foreign applicants.
→ Read the full digestVox has filed a complaint with the European Commission and plans to appeal to the Supreme Court against the 'ley de nietos', which grants nationality to descendants of Spanish exiles. The party claims the law has caused an irregular increase in the electoral census and has asked for electoral registration instructions. The legal challenge could disrupt the processing of applications under this citizenship pathway.
→ Read the full digestThe mass regularization process for migrants, originally planned for 500,000 people, has generated 1.2 million applications. Many applicants already live in Spain in overcrowded or substandard housing conditions. Gaining legal status could allow them to secure formal jobs and access better rentals or mortgages. This may relieve pressure on substandard housing as newly documented residents improve their living situations.
→ Read the full digestThe Central Electoral Commission says it has no authority over nationality grants under the Democratic Memory Law, but a dissenting minority within the body argues the recent expansion of the so-called 'Law of Grandchildren' contradicts the law. Four of the 13 members dissented, warning that the instruction contains illegal provisions. The dispute adds uncertainty for descendants of Spaniards abroad seeking citizenship.
→ Read the full digestPolice dismantled two networks that charged €10,000 to €12,000 to arrange fraudulent domestic partnerships for residency permits. The scheme mainly targeted Moroccan citizens and involved falsifying notarial acts, rental contracts, and empadronamiento (municipal registration) documents. Officers arrested 34 people, are investigating 62 others, and have issued 21 arrest warrants. Foreign residents are urged to avoid such illegal services as enforcement intensifies.
→ Read the full digestNearly 3 million regularized migrants face severe delays as police cite insufficient resources and illegal appointment trafficking, with slots selling for €100 to €2,000. Over 1,200 appointments are pending. The TIE card is essential for legal identification, work, and services. Those who need their cards should anticipate long waiting times.
→ Read the full digestPolice estimate that Spain's extraordinary regularization process could grant legal status to up to 3 million immigrants, including family members. Each approved application may bring at least three additional relatives through family reunification. The National Police has been excluded from document verification, now handled by the Ministry of Migration, raising concerns about errors in criminal record checks.
→ Read the full digestSpain's Supreme Court has struck down provisions allowing automatic denial of residency authorizations based solely on criminal records. Authorities must now conduct case-by-case assessments weighing factors like the crime's gravity, time elapsed, family situation, and interests of minor children. The ruling strengthens protections for foreign nationals with past offenses.
→ Read the full digestThe Spanish government is withholding labor market data on the 1.2 million immigrants who applied for regularization. While 160,000 had begun contributing to social security by June 30, an estimated 20,000 may have registered as unemployed. The lack of disclosure reduces transparency for applicants awaiting their status.
→ Read the full digestGuillermo, Germán, and Alessia are among thousands who signed their first formal employment contracts this July after receiving provisional regularization permits. The extraordinary process allows undocumented migrants to leave the underground economy, contribute to Social Security, and access better labor conditions. Tens of thousands are now paying into the system, although some employers remain cautious pending final approval. Many had previously worked 11-hour days for €800 a month without legal protections.
→ Read the full digestSpain's Supreme Court has refused to suspend the extraordinary regularization of migrants, citing a 'public interest with a human substratum.' The ruling rejected challenges from PP-led Aragón and Valencia, which argued the decree harms regional interests. The court noted the permits are temporary and suspension would leave applicants in an irregular status. The decision preserves a legal pathway for thousands of undocumented foreign residents.
→ Read the full digestSpain's Supreme Court has declined to refer the government's extraordinary regularization of migrants to the Court of Justice of the EU, ruling that such a step is not pertinent at this stage. The court also refused to suspend the policy, which remains in effect. Three conservative judges had questioned the scheme's compatibility with EU law, but the full chamber voted against sending the matter to Europe. The decision keeps the door open for many undocumented foreign residents to gain legal status.
→ Read the full digestThe Supreme Court has upheld that immediate pushbacks of migrants intercepted at sea — so-called 'hot returns' — are illegal under Spanish law. The ruling involved an Algerian man who was intercepted while trying to swim to Ceuta on November 14, 2024. The court stressed that returns must follow the procedure in article 58.3 of the Immigration Law, which guarantees certain rights. The decision reinforces legal protections for migrants and sets a precedent for border enforcement.
→ Read the full digestSpain issued 1,577,842 residence permits in 2025, the highest number since detailed records began in 2014 and a 7.8% increase over 2024. Nationals from Ukraine, Venezuela, and Morocco accounted for 42% of all permits granted. The total includes both first-time permits and renewals, and one person may receive multiple authorizations within a year. The surge reflects Spain's active immigration policy and growing demand from foreign nationals seeking legal residency.
→ Read the full digestOut of nearly 1.2 million regularization requests, only 609,000 have been admitted and 11,000 approved so far. Approved applicants now need police appointments for fingerprinting to obtain their TIE cards, but NGOs and unions warn of a chronic shortage of slots and illegal sales. This leaves foreign residents in legal limbo, unable to work or travel while they wait.
→ Read the full digestSpain's extraordinary regularization process has received 1.17 million applications, with 52% (608,000) already being processed. Most applicants — 67% — come from Central and South America, making them eligible to apply for Spanish nationality after just two years of legal residence instead of the usual ten. Top countries include Colombia (25.9%), Morocco (13.4%), and Venezuela (11.7%), with Catalonia (257,000 applications) and Madrid (202,000) leading regionally. The process offers a clear path to legal status and citizenship for hundreds of thousands of undocumented foreign residents.
→ Read the full digestPP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo warned that the 'Ley de Nietos' nationality law will have an 'enormous' impact on public services, with 2.6 million applications filed. He accused the process of being arbitrary, lacking security and transparency, and offering few guarantees. The law allows descendants of Spanish exiles to obtain citizenship, but the high volume has sparked administrative and political tension.
→ Read the full digestThe Supreme Court is asking the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) to review the government's migrant regularization process. The court suspects the royal decree may clash with the EU's 2024 Migration and Asylum Pact. The decree includes two provisions that create a general regularization regime. The Comunidad Valenciana and Aragón filed appeals that triggered the review, and the parties now have five days to weigh in. A ruling against the decree would jeopardize residency paths for many undocumented immigrants.
→ Read the full digestOver 1 million applications were submitted by the June 30 deadline for Spain's extraordinary regularization of migrants, far exceeding the government's initial estimate of 750,000. However, the Supreme Court has raised concerns that the process may violate EU migration law and is considering referring the case to the Court of Justice of the European Union, potentially suspending the entire program. The court gave the involved parties five days to present arguments. The regularization, which grants legal status to undocumented residents, has been in effect since April 14, but applications could face uncertainty if the suspension proceeds.
→ Read the full digestSpain's extraordinary regularization process for undocumented immigrants closed after 2.5 months, receiving nearly one million applications—double initial forecasts. The figure will be lower after removing duplicates and rejections, but it is expected to be the largest regularization since the 1980s. Organizations say the need was far greater than anticipated. The program offered a path to legal status and work rights for hundreds of thousands.
→ Read the full digestZaragoza has received over 22,000 applications for Spain's extraordinary immigrant regularization process. The deadline ends in one week, on June 29. The application period began on April 16. The high number of requests shows the intense demand for legal status among undocumented immigrants.
→ Read the full digestA group of 19 EU countries, led by Italy and Denmark, is urging faster implementation of deportation centers for migrants in third countries. Spain did not sign the letter, and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called the plan 'ineffective' and 'a mirage.' The proposal signals a potential tightening of EU migration policies that could affect foreign nationals in Spain.
→ Read the full digestOver 900,000 migrants have applied for Spain's extraordinary regularization process. 65% of applicants are from Latin America, with Colombians making up 30% of the total. Moroccans account for 14%, Venezuelans 10%, and Peruvians 9%. Most applicants entered Spain by plane, not irregularly. The procedure will determine the legal status of hundreds of thousands of applicants.
→ Read the full digestThe Spanish government has received 908,288 applications for its extraordinary migrant regularization program, surpassing initial projections of 750,000. Authorities have admitted 359,255 applications for processing so far, with two weeks remaining until the deadline. The record volume stems from more flexible requirements, including vulnerability reports and family unity criteria, though hundreds of applicants report significant processing delays.
→ Read the full digestA Catalan cooperative launched Integra, a free multilingual web tool designed to streamline the regularization process. The platform uses a questionnaire to determine eligibility, identify required documents, and help complete forms. This initiative aims to cut through the bureaucratic confusion and reduce processing delays for applicants navigating the system.
→ Read the full digest