Everything you need to know about the extraordinary regularisation planned for 2026
The Spanish Government has launched the urgent processing of an extraordinary regularisation process for immigrants, representing very positive news for people currently living in Spain in an irregular situation.
The draft text, published on 27 January 2026 by the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, is currently in the Public Consultation phase, a key step prior to its final approval by Royal Decree.If approved as planned, applications are expected to open from April 2026.
At Gestoría Estepona, we closely monitor every regulatory update to provide clear, accurate and responsible guidance.
⭐ Key point: only 5 months of residence required
One of the most significant aspects of this extraordinary regularisation is that:
✅Only 5 months of residence in Spain will need to be proven, which marks a major change compared to previous regularisation processes.
📌 Main requirements
To apply for this extraordinary regularisation, applicants must meet all of the following conditions:
1️⃣ Have been in Spain before 31 December 2025
2️⃣ Prove at least five consecutive months of residence in Spain at the time of submitting the application
3️⃣ Have no criminal record and not pose a threat to public order
📄 These circumstances may be proven through public documents, private documents, or a combination of both.
🔎For international protection applicants, it will be sufficient that the application was submitted before 31 December 2025 and that this situation can be duly proven.
✅ Advantages of this express regularisation
This process offers important benefits to eligible applicants:
✔ An initial one-year residence permit
✔ Permission to work from day one, in any sector and anywhere in Spain
✔ Regularisation of existing employment situations, allowing work to be carried out legally, with social security contributions and full legal protection
✔ Maximum processing time of three months
✔ Once the application is admitted for processing (within a maximum of 15 days), the applicant will be able to start working legally
✔ Application without distinction of nationality
✔ A simplified model aimed at reducing bureaucratic barriers
After the initial one-year period, applicants must transition to the ordinary residence categories provided for under Spanish Immigration Regulations.
👨👩👧 Protection of family unity
A particularly relevant aspect of this regularisation is the protection of family unity:
👶Minor children of applicants who are already in Spain may be regularised simultaneously, receiving a five-year residence permit.
⏳ Application deadline
📅Applications are expected to:
•🟢Open in early April 2026, once the Royal Decree is definitively approved
•🔴Remain open until 30 June 2026
🤝 Gestoría Estepona: here to support you
At Gestoría Estepona, we will be ready to assist you as soon as the Royal Decree is officially published. We can help you prepare documentation, assess eligibility and guide you through the entire process, always with verified information and no false promises.
📍Gestoría EsteponaAvda. España 178, Edif. Dobar, 4ºB29680 Estepona (Málaga)
Tel.: 951 70 55 61 / 952 79 68 24
📞 Mobile: 640 65 86 78
📱 info@gestoriaestepona.com✉️
🌐www.gestoriaestepona.com
As always, we are here to help.The Gestoría Estepona Team