The 2026 extraordinary regularisation — established by RD-Law 2/2026 — is the most significant mass regularisation measure adopted in Spain in the past decade. It allows foreign nationals in irregular status to obtain a residence authorisation with a minimum presence threshold of just 5 months before 31 December 2025, compared with the 2 years required by the ordinary arraigo social or arraigo sociolaboral routes. The application deadline is 30 June 2026: those who do not act before that date lose the opportunity this exceptional route provides.
Why this regularisation matters
Spain has an immigration profile with a significant pool of individuals in irregular administrative status: workers who arrived on tourist visas and remained, individuals whose authorisation expired without being renewed, and nationals of countries with which Spain has no effective return agreements.
The 2026 extraordinary regularisation is the legislative response to this reality: rather than investing resources in deportation proceedings that are difficult to execute, the government offers a regularisation route conditional on proven presence and the absence of serious criminal records.
Those regularised become legal residents, contribute to Social Security, can obtain a NIE and TIE, and have access to public services with full legal coverage. For the state, the regularisation expands the contributing base and reduces the informal economy.
Requirements for the extraordinary regularisation
1. Minimum presence of 5 months before 31/12/2025
The applicant must have been physically present in Spain for at least 5 months — continuous or discontinuous — before 31 December 2025. Evidencing this presence is the central requirement and the one that most frequently raises questions.
Documents accepted as proof of presence:
- Historical municipal registration certificate (certificado de empadronamiento histórico) from the Padrón Municipal, indicating the date of first registration. If the registration period predates the 5-month threshold, this is the strongest document.
- Healthcare attendance records or hospital emergency reports with dates.
- Utility bills (electricity, water, gas) in the applicant’s name or confirming their residence at the address.
- Rental contracts for the address during the relevant period.
- Public authority certificates (INEM, SEPE, municipal social services) showing the date of first attendance or assistance.
- Commercial invoices (telecommunications, insurance, etc.) in the applicant’s name with a date predating the established limit.
- School certificates where there are minor children enrolled, showing enrolment before the cutoff date.
BMC recommends gathering the largest possible number of documents from different sources: the diversity and consistency of the documentary evidence strengthens the credibility of the case.
2. No criminal record
The applicant must have no criminal record in Spain or in countries of previous residence (past 5 years) for offences recognised under Spanish law.
- Criminal record certificate from the Central Register of Convicted Persons (Ministry of Justice).
- Criminal record certificates from the country of origin and all countries of residence in the past 5 years, apostilled and with certified Spanish translation.
3. No active entry ban or executive expulsion proceeding
If there is an expulsion proceeding pending appeal but not yet executed, the situation may be compatible with regularisation. BMC analyses the administrative history of each case before initiating the process.
The deadline: 30 June 2026
The application submission deadline is 30 June 2026. No extension is expected: the exceptional nature of the measure makes the deadline firm.
Those who do not submit their application before that date — or whose application is incomplete at that date — cannot benefit from the extraordinary regularisation and must use the ordinary routes (arraigo social, sociolaboral, or other figures under RD 1155/2024), which require a minimum of 2 years of presence.
Differences from the arraigo route
| Criterion | Extraordinary regularisation | Arraigo social | Arraigo sociolaboral |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum presence | 5 months before 31/12/2025 | 2 years | 2 years |
| Application deadline | Until 30/06/2026 | No time limit | No time limit |
| Employment required | No (can be submitted to improve prospects) | No (but ties or report needed) | Yes (active contract) |
| Character | Exceptional and temporary | Ordinary | Ordinary |
| Available after 30/06/2026 | No | Yes | Yes |
The extraordinary regularisation is in all cases where requirements are met preferable to the arraigo route, due to the lower presence requirement and the absence of additional requirements (no social integration report or employment contract needed).
The application process
- Prior case analysis: BMC verifies the available documents, coverage of the 5-month period, and the absence of administrative obstacles.
- Document gathering: historical municipal registration, criminal record certificates, supplementary presence documentation.
- Submission of the application at the Immigration Office of the applicant’s province of residence. Maximum deadline: 30 June 2026.
- Case monitoring: BMC responds to any request for additional documentation within the permitted period.
- Grant and TIE: once the authorisation is granted, the holder applies for the TIE at the Police Station.
What happens after regularisation
The authorisation obtained through extraordinary regularisation has the same legal consequences as any ordinary residence authorisation:
- It is renewable under ordinary residence conditions.
- It counts towards the 5-year period of legal residence required for long-term residence.
- It counts towards the legal residence period required for nationality.
- It allows, at subsequent renewals, applying for work authorisation.
Do you meet the requirements for the 2026 extraordinary regularisation and need to manage the application before 30 June? Speak with BMC’s immigration team.
