Spain plans to legalize about 300,000 undocumented immigrants each year over the next three years to counter labor shortages caused by an aging population, Migration Minister Elma Saiz announced Tuesday, Reuters reported.
The initiative is intended to sustain economic growth and expand the workforce.
Saiz highlighted the importance of openness for Spain’s prosperity, stating, “Spain has to opt between being an open, prosperous country or being a closed and poor one, and we have chosen the former.”
The country requires 250,000 to 300,000 tax-paying foreign workers annually to support its welfare system and maintain economic stability.
The reform simplifies processes for granting work and residence permits, enabling migrants to register as self-employed or salaried workers while enhancing labor rights protections.
Spain’s economy has benefited from skilled immigrants, particularly from Latin America, who have filled vacancies in the technology and hospitality sectors. The country’s GDP grew by 3.4% in the third quarter compared to the same period last year. Net migration in 2022 exceeded the total migration of the previous decade.
Fitch Ratings predicts Spain’s working-age population will continue to grow, albeit at a slower pace, outpacing many EU countries and bolstering long-term economic prospects.
The reform includes longer-term visas, extending job seeker visas from three to 12 months, and allowing international students to work up to 30 hours per week.
However, a recent survey revealed that 57% of Spaniards believe immigration levels are too high, with 54% perceiving the proportion of foreign-born residents as exceeding the official figure of 18.5%.