Starting in May 2025, Spain will legalize 300,000 undocumented migrants annually until 2027. This move, announced by Migration Minister Elma Saiz, seeks to address the country’s aging population and labor shortages by granting work permits and residency to undocumented foreigners. The new policy also aims to combat low birth rates and reduce the exploitation of undocumented workers in low-paid sectors. It extends visa durations and strengthens labor protections, targeting sectors often avoided by Spaniards. The government anticipates this initiative will support the welfare state and curtail illegal practices. Spain’s economy, one of the fastest-growing in the EU, has benefited from immigration and post-pandemic tourism recovery, and its open stance on migration contrasts with other European nations tightening borders.
SOURCE: VOA NEWS