Spain's government announced a bold plan to legalise the status of at least 500,000 undocumented migrants. Foreign nationals without a criminal record can apply if they have lived in Spain for at least five months before 31 December 2025. Elma Saiz, Spain's minister of inclusion, social security and migration, said, "This is an historic day for our country." Those approved will receive a one-year residence permit, which can be extended. Applications open in April and close in June. Saiz added, "We are reinforcing a migratory model based on human rights, integration, co-existence and which is compatible with economic growth and social cohesion." Spain has seen a rise in migrants, mostly from Latin America. A study by Funcas shows undocumented migrants rising from 107,409 in 2017 to 837,938 in 2025. Colombians, Peruvians, and Hondurans make up the largest groups. Spain’s socialist-led government supports the move, highlighting migrants' role in the economy. The country expects 3% growth in 2025 and unemployment has fallen below 10% for the first time since 2008. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez calls migrants "wealth, development and prosperity," noting their social security contributions. Irene Montero of the far-left Podemos party said, "Providing rights is the answer to racism." The regularisation follows a 700,000-strong public demand but will be enacted by royal decree, bypassing parliament. It’s Spain's first mass migrant legalisation in 20 years. Previous laws between 1986 and 2005 legalised about half a million migrants. Opposition voices call the move problematic. Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the conservative People's Party, warned it would "increase the pull effect and overwhelm our public services." Pepa Millán from the far-right Vox claimed the policy "attacks our identity" and will seek to block it in the Supreme Court.