latest spanish news

Spain has recently introduced significant reforms to its immigration regulations, aiming to modernize its policies and facilitate legal migration pathways. The new rules, approved in November 2024, will take effect in May 2025 and focus on simplifying processes, expanding regularization opportunities, and improving worker protections.

Key Updates:
Residency and Work Permits:

Initial residency permits will last one year, with renewals extended to four years.
Job-seeking visas have been redefined, allowing 12-month stays for those seeking employment.
Migrants can now transition from temporary to long-term residency without leaving Spain.
Regularization Programs:

The "Arraigo" framework offers multiple pathways to legalize status, including new "Second-Chance Arraigo" permits for individuals who lost their residency.
Residency requirements for regularization have been reduced from three years to two, with exceptions for family-related cases.
Student and Family Provisions:

International students can now work up to 30 hours a week during studies and more easily transition to work permits post-graduation.
Family reunification policies have been expanded to include unregistered partnerships and children up to 26 years old.
Worker Protections:

Seasonal workers will benefit from contracts in their native languages, improved living conditions, and the right to change employers in specific circumstances.
These reforms aim to regularize around 300,000 migrants annually and align Spain’s policies with European Union standards, reflecting a focus on inclusivity and economic growth​