Spain’s programme to grant legal status to undocumented migrants has attracted far more applicants than initially expected, with registrations approaching 900,000, according to government figures.
Reuters reported that the Spanish government’s initiative, approved last month, was originally designed to regularize the status of around 500,000 undocumented migrants living in the country.
However, demand has significantly exceeded official projections.
Spain’s Ministry of Migration said nearly 900,000 people have already registered under the scheme, with applications continuing to rise.
The refugee support organisation CEAR estimates that the total number of applications could surpass one million before the programme concludes.
Officials say the initiative aims to integrate undocumented migrants into the formal labour market and provide legal recognition to their contribution to the economy.
Spain remains one of the few European countries maintaining a relatively open approach to migration despite a growing trend toward stricter immigration policies across the continent.
Experts note that Spain has outperformed many European economies over the past two years, with migrants playing a key role in that growth.
Migrant workers have helped address labor shortages in sectors such as hospitality, elderly care and other essential services, while also contributing to the country’s social security system.
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