Spain has enacted a new law aimed at regularizing the status of up to 500,000 undocumented migrants, allowing them to apply for temporary residence and work permits until June 30, 2026. The law, approved by the Spanish government, requires applicants to have arrived in Spain before January 1, 2026, and to demonstrate an uninterrupted stay of at least five months. Applicants must be over 18, possess a clean criminal record for the last five years, and meet at least one of the following criteria: proof of employment or self-employment intent, evidence of family ties in Spain, or proof of social vulnerability certified by social services. Upon application submission, migrants receive provisional permission to live and work in Spain. Successful applicants will initially receive a one-year permit, extendable upon showing job search efforts or integration steps, such as language learning. The law also includes provisions for children of undocumented migrants, allowing those born in Spain to apply for dependent residence regardless of their birth date. The Spanish government states that this reform aims to address labor shortages and demographic challenges linked to an aging population while supporting the social security system. However, opposition parties have announced plans to challenge the law in court.