Spain’s 2026 Extraordinary Regularisation (Early April 2026): What People in Spain Irregularly Should Know and Prepare

Spain is rolling out a major immigration measure in 2026 aimed at granting legal residence to a large number of people who are currently in Spain without valid status. Many people are referring to an April 1 start date, but the Spanish government’s official statement describes the opening as “early April 2026” and indicates the application window is expected to remain open until June 30, 2026.^[1] Recent reporting also highlights that applicants are already scrambling to gather documentation and secure appointments.^[2]

What Spain Has Officially Announced

On January 27, 2026, Spain’s Council of Ministers announced an extraordinary regularisation process to be implemented via royal decree for foreign nationals already living in Spain.^[1] The government’s summary describes it as an urgent measure intended to help integrate people already residing in Spain into legal residence and work frameworks.

Who the Government Says May Be Eligible

Based on the government’s published summary, beneficiaries must generally:^[1]

• Prove at least five months of residence in Spain before December 31, 2025
• Have no criminal record
• In certain cases, have submitted an international protection (asylum) application before December 31, 2025

The government statement indicates that, if approved, the initial authorization would be a one year legal residence permit, with the ability to transition into other residence categories afterward.^[1] Additional procedural details are expected to be clarified in implementing regulations and official instructions.

Timeline: “Early April” and June 30, 2026

Spain’s government summary describes a provisional timetable: applications are expected to be accepted from early April 2026 and the process will remain open until June 30, 2026.^[1] Independent reporting has echoed the early April to June 30 window and emphasized uncertainty around documentation specifics and administrative capacity.^[2][3]

Why Preparation Matters: Bottlenecks and Documentation

A major pressure point is documentation, especially proof of residence and criminal record certificates. Reuters reported that people have been queueing at consulates to obtain criminal record certificates, and that understaffed offices and limited appointment availability could create delays.^[2] Even if you ultimately qualify, incomplete documentation or missed timelines can slow or derail an application. For a broader overview of how Spain fits into the international document landscape, see our Hague member countries apostille list.

“Our offices are completely jammed. If there are no more people, if there is no technological reinforcement, without more money, this is impossible.” – César Pérez, union leader for Spain’s immigration officers, quoted by Reuters.^[2]

What to Prepare Now

While Spain’s final procedural checklist may evolve, you can prepare several categories of documentation now that align with what has been publicly described so far.

1) Proof of presence and residence in Spain by the cutoff

Because the government summary references a residence requirement tied to December 31, 2025, gather multiple forms of evidence showing you were living in Spain by the cutoff and can demonstrate continuity.^[1][2] Examples can include padrón (empadronamiento) history, rental agreements, utility bills, medical appointment records, school enrollment, and bank statements showing local activity. Keep originals and scan high quality copies.

2) Criminal record certificates

The government’s summary states applicants must have no criminal record.^[1] In practice, Spanish immigration procedures often require a criminal record certificate from Spain and, depending on your background, from your country of origin and/or previous residence. Media reporting on the 2026 regularisation has specifically highlighted criminal record certificates as a key document people are rushing to obtain.^[2] If you need to understand the difference between state and federal documents for this process, read our guide on what is a federal apostille.

3) Apostille and certified Spanish translation for U.S. documents, when applicable

If you are a U.S. citizen or have lived in the United States and Spain requires proof of criminal record status from the U.S., this commonly involves an FBI Identity History Summary (FBI background check). For use in Spain, U.S. documents often need international authentication (such as a federal apostille) and a certified Spanish translation, depending on the receiving authority’s requirements. Because these steps can involve multiple agencies and shipping time, it is wise to begin early. For a step-by-step walkthrough of the entire Spain visa process, see our dedicated guide: Step-by-step FBI background check for Spain visa.

How FederalApostille.com Can Help

If you need U.S. documentation for Spain, FederalApostille.com supports end to end handling of U.S. documents for international use, including:

• FBI background checks for U.S. citizens abroad
• Federal apostille processing (for Spain visa applications)
• Certified Spanish Translations (for eligible document types)

Given the expected early April 2026 opening, starting the U.S. side early can reduce last minute stress and help you submit a complete file within Spain’s window.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the same as other Spain immigration rule changes?

No. This article focuses on the extraordinary regularisation process announced by Spain’s government on January 27, 2026, expected to open in early April 2026 and remain open until June 30, 2026.^[1]

Is April 1, 2026 the guaranteed start date?

Not necessarily. The government’s published summary states “early April 2026” rather than naming a specific day.^[1] Some media and third party summaries reference April 1 as an expected opening, but the most reliable wording to date is “early April,” pending final implementation details.^[1][2][3]

What are the minimum requirements that are already public?

The government’s summary highlights a residency proof requirement tied to December 31, 2025, an asylum application cutoff of December 31, 2025 for certain cases, and a no criminal record requirement.^[1]

I’m a U.S. citizen in Spain. Do I need an FBI check and apostille?

If Spanish authorities require proof of a clean U.S. criminal record, you will likely need an FBI background check with a federal apostille and a certified Spanish translation. This is a common requirement for U.S. citizens in many Spanish residency processes. Check the specific instructions when they are published, but preparing this document early is highly recommended. For a detailed breakdown of timing, see our federal apostille processing time estimator.

How long does it take to get an FBI apostille from the U.S.?

Standard processing by mail can take 5–6 weeks. With an expedited service like ours, the federal apostille can often be completed in about 10 business days once your request is received. Add time for shipping.

Can you help with translations?

Yes. We offer certified Spanish translations for eligible documents, including FBI background checks, to ensure they meet Spanish immigration standards.

References

1. Government of Spain (La Moncloa): “The Government of Spain launches an extraordinary regularisation process for foreign nationals already living in Spain,” Council of Ministers press conference, January 27, 2026. Accessed February 28, 2026. View Source
2. Reuters: “Spain’s looming migrant amnesty strains services, sends applicants scrambling,” February 26, 2026. Accessed February 28, 2026. View Source
3. Newland Chase: “Spain Approves Extraordinary Regularization Process for Foreign Nationals,” January 29, 2026. Accessed February 28, 2026. View Source

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