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Spain’s government has announced a major shift in its migration policy, aiming to grant undocumented migrants access to free healthcare, legal residency, and work permits.
Following a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Migration Minister Elma Saiz confirmed that Spain will, for the first time, formally recognize the right to healthcare for people living in the country without legal status. “This step acknowledges the right to health protection and medical care for foreigners who are not legally residing here,” Saiz said.
The initiative builds on a plan first outlined in January, when the government signaled its intention to legalize the status of hundreds of thousands of undocumented migrants. Under the proposal, migrants who arrived before 31 December 2025, have lived in Spain for at least five months, and have no criminal record will be eligible for residency and work authorization.
Spain remains one of the primary entry points for migrants attempting to reach Europe, alongside Italy and Greece. According to the Interior Ministry, nearly 37,000 irregular migrants arrived in Spain last year—a 42.6 percent decrease compared to 2024.
The government argues that the reforms will improve public health, reduce exploitation in the labor market, and bring long-term economic benefits. Critics, however, warn that the policy could encourage further irregular migration.
As the legislative process moves forward, Spain is positioning itself as one of the more progressive EU countries on migrant rights, setting the stage for a broader debate across the continent.
- source: heute.at/picture: pixabay.com
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