BARCELONA, Spain — Migrants across Spain are facing long waits, confusion, and difficult conditions as they attempt to gather the necessary documentation for the country’s extraordinary regularization process. For many, what should be an administrative step has turned into what they describe as an “obstacle course,” with some forced to spend days outdoors just to secure an appointment.
Outside municipal Social Services offices in towns such as Roquetas de Mar, dozens of migrants have set up makeshift camps, sleeping in the open air in order to be first in line. Many are seeking the so-called vulnerability certificate, a key document required for those without employment, a job offer, or family ties in Spain.
People bring chairs, umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun, and blankets to sleep on the ქუჩ. Some report waiting for up to three or four nights, taking turns to hold their place in line. Local residents have stepped in to help, providing food and water to those enduring the heat and harsh conditions.
“We are enduring hunger, sun, and cold,” said one person waiting in line. Others criticized what they see as poor organization and limited service hours. “They only attend until 1 p.m., and the rest of us are left outside waiting for the next day. They should extend hours and increase staff because this is delaying the process,” another migrant explained.
Similar scenes are unfolding in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, where hundreds of people are waiting in designated public spaces to obtain documents such as proof of residency or vulnerability certificates. Authorities there plan to assist more than 2,400 people in a single day and issue numbered tickets to ensure those not attended can return the following day without having to sleep on the street.
The surge in demand has also exposed fraudulent practices. Reports indicate that some individuals are charging up to €200 for appointments or certificates that are officially free. Legal professionals warn that scammers are posing as qualified advisors. “We are seeing cases where people paid for services that were never legitimate—either the individuals were not licensed or the appointments were falsified,” said one lawyer.
The situation has intensified criticism of administrative capacity and coordination, with many calling for clearer information, expanded resources, and stronger oversight to prevent exploitation as Spain’s regularization process continues.
