The procedures for the regularization of migrants begin: what steps to follow?

BarcelonaThe process to request the extraordinary regularization of migrants is already underway. From Thursday, April 16, procedures can be carried out online, and from Monday the 20th, they can also be done in person, with mandatory prior appointment, at the Social Security and Post Office branches. More than half a million people living in Catalonia and Spain irregularly can benefit from the regularization, and the procedure is open until June 30.

Who can request regularization?

Regularization is a procedure essentially aimed at those who have either applied for asylum before January 1, 2026, or are in an irregular administrative situation and arrived in Spain before that same date. Furthermore, those who request it must have resided in the State for at least five months before making the application, must not have a criminal record, and must not be an "threat to public security".

When and where the procedures should be carried out

If these requirements are met, the interested party can request regularization at any time of the day through the online portal from this Thursday. They can also book an appointment to process it in person from April 20th at one of the Social Security, Correos, or Foreigner offices until June 30th.

What documents are needed?

To request regularization, you must fill out and submit the form available on the enabled website – a procedure that can be done independently or with specialized advice –, and a copy of the passport, registration card, or travel document is also required. In addition, the interested party must also prove that they have been living in Spain since before January 1, 2026, and submit the criminal record certificate.

How is residence in Spain proven?

To prove residence in the State before the indicated date, both asylum seekers and persons in irregular situations may present public or private documents containing data that identify them and are dated. In addition, persons in irregular situations will also have to prove one of the following situations: having worked with a legal contract in Spain, having minor children in their care or living with dependent persons, or proving that they are in a situation of vulnerability.

Certifying the situation of vulnerability

If the interested party is in an irregular and vulnerable situation, they must download a certificate from the website of the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration. The document must be accredited by entities registered in the Electronic Register of Foreigners Collaborators (RECEX), such as the Red Cross and Cáritas, or by social services.

A certificate of criminal record

To process the regularization, it is also necessary to present the criminal record certificate, or an equivalent document, issued by the authorities of the country of origin or the countries where the person has resided in the five years prior to arriving in Spain. In cases where it is proven that the criminal record could not be obtained within one month, and by means of a sworn declaration, the person may also request an extended period, of a maximum of three months, to obtain the document through diplomatic channels.