Nearly Half Of Spaniards Oppose Government’s Immigration Regularization Program

MADRID, Spain — A recent survey conducted by the DYM Institute for 20minutos reveals that Spain’s government-approved immigration regularization program, enacted in April, enjoys only minority support among the Spanish public, with nearly half of citizens opposing the extraordinary measure designed to grant legal status to more than half a million undocumented immigrants.

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According to the poll, 46.2% of Spaniards express opposition to the regularization initiative, compared to 39% who support it. The measure, which represents the seventh such regularization effort in Spanish history, has generated significant political debate along ideological lines, with support concentrated among left-leaning voters and strong opposition from those identifying with right-wing political positions.

The survey indicates that individuals who self-identify on the left and center-left of the political spectrum show the highest levels of support for the regularization, at 72.7% and 60.9% respectively. In contrast, those positioned on the right and center-right express considerable opposition, with rejection rates of 66.3% and 69.4% respectively.

Political party affiliation further illuminates the divide. Among voters who supported the Popular Party (PP) in the most recent general election, only one in four endorses the regularization measure, while 62% oppose it. Opposition is even more pronounced among supporters of Vox, the far-right party led by Santiago Abascal, with eight in ten expressing rejection and merely 13% offering support.

Even within left-wing parties, where the regularization initiative receives its strongest backing, support does not reach overwhelming levels. Among voters who chose the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) in the 2023 general election, 59.9% endorse the government’s initiative, while nearly one in three oppose it. Among Sumar voters, support stands at 63.5%, with 28.2% expressing opposition.

The extraordinary regularization process is currently entering its final phase. The governing regulation established a two-month application period, concluding on June 30, during which eligible individuals may submit requests at designated administrative offices. The measure grants a one-year residence and work permit to immigrants who were present in Spain before January 1, 2026, can demonstrate at least five months of uninterrupted residence, and have no criminal record.

Casi la mitad de los españoles se declara en contra de la regularización de inmigrantes del Gobierno https://t.co/qUKX84Imwp

— 20minutos.es (@20m) May 29, 2026

The application process commenced in mid-April and, while formally concluding in one month, is expected to extend several additional weeks as many submissions will require thorough review before final determination. Government estimates suggest that between 500,000 and 700,000 immigrants currently living and working in Spain without legal documentation may benefit from the program.

As of May 21, authorities had received 549,596 applications, of which 91,505 had been formally admitted for processing, according to testimony provided by a state attorney during recent proceedings at the Supreme Court. The high court was considering a request from the Community of Madrid and Vox to provisionally suspend the extraordinary measure, but ultimately rejected the petition to halt the decree. Consequently, the regularization process continues while the court resolves legal challenges filed against the regulation.

Immigration policy remains a prominent topic in Spanish political discourse, with debates encompassing economic integration, social cohesion, border management, and humanitarian considerations. Advocates of regularization measures emphasize the benefits of bringing undocumented workers into the formal economy, while critics raise concerns regarding procedural fairness, labor market impacts, and incentives for irregular migration.

The DYM Institute survey, conducted with a representative sample of Spanish adults, reflects public sentiment at a moment of significant policy implementation. Polling margins of error and methodological considerations are standard factors in interpreting such data, though the clear partisan divide observed in responses underscores the polarized nature of immigration debates in contemporary Spanish politics.

As the application period progresses, government agencies have indicated that further updates regarding processing timelines, approval rates, or related policy adjustments will be communicated through official channels.

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Note: This report is based on polling data from the DYM Institute, official government statements, and verified media accounts. Immigration policy and regularization procedures remain subject to administrative implementation and judicial review. All information is provided for informational purposes and reflects publicly announced governmental positions and survey findings.

Reporting from Madrid. Additional contributions from public policy correspondents and immigration affairs analysts.