More than half a million foreigners are believed to live in Spain without legal permission. Like in the United States and much of Europe, these immigrants work jobs that few nationals want. Many fail to find any work at all, sliding into poverty and homelessness. Now, Spain wants to integrate them. Earlier this week, the government announced it would grant residency and work permits to all foreigners who arrived in the country before Dec. 31, 2025, have lived in Spain for at least five months, and have no criminal records. More than a dozen men and women who are hoping to legalize their status told the AP that Spain’s extraordinary move could allow them to get jobs in the formal economy.
