Long queues formed in Barcelona's Plaça Sant Miquel on Wednesday morning as hundreds of undocumented immigrants sought documentation. They aimed to prepare for a new Spanish government decree offering a path to legal residency. The Oficina d'Atenció Ciutadana de Barcelona, adjacent to the Ajuntament, saw significant crowds.
New Decree Sparks Hope for Undocumented Residents
Less than 24 hours earlier, the Spanish Council of Ministers approved a royal decree to regularise the situation of over half a million immigrants across Spain. Approximately 150,000 of these individuals reside in Catalonia. The application process for this Barcelona immigration regularisation begins online on Thursday, 16 April.
Yamellis, a 67-year-old Venezuelan resident, has lived in Catalonia for two years. She queued to update her empadronamiento, a document proving current residency, essential for her application. "This is a good measure," she told Ara Cat. "We will have papers, we will have the same benefits, and young people who want to work here will be able to do so. Doors will no longer be closed to them."
Manuel, 45, from Peru, arrived in Catalonia in 2024 as a tourist and stayed. He currently works informally as a cook. "The decision is good news because it will allow one to achieve their potential," he insisted. "You cannot always work informally and wait. With this, I will be able to contribute and have rights."
Seeking Essential Documentation in Barcelona
Many people in the queues required an updated empadronamiento. This document certifies an individual's current residence in Spain. While not strictly mandatory for the regularisation process, it serves as crucial proof of continuous presence.
Caterine, from Colombia, waited for two hours in Plaça Sant Miquel for her two children, aged seven and 13. She holds a residence permit, having arrived in Barcelona four years ago with her family. However, her children lacked formal documentation. "I am very happy because there are procedures I could not do for my children, and now I will be able to," she explained, noting her children's excitement to travel.
Rolando, also from Peru, queued for his cousin. His cousin recently became a father and was caring for the newborn. Rolando has a Foreigner Identification Number (NIE), but his cousin does not. "I am the only family he has here, which is why I am queuing for him," Rolando stated. The queue advanced slowly, with people entering the office in groups of 10.
Regularisation Process and Eligibility
Applicants can begin submitting regularisation requests online from 16 April. They can also request appointments for in-person applications at Social Security, Post Office, or Immigration offices. Physical appointments become available from 20 April. The deadline for submitting these initial applications is 30 June.
Eligibility criteria include having applied for asylum before 1 January 2026, or being in an irregular administrative situation before that date. Applicants must have resided continuously in Spain for at least five months prior to their application. They must also possess no criminal record and pose no threat to public order or security.
This initiative represents a significant step towards integrating a large undocumented population. It offers a pathway to formal employment, social security contributions, and fundamental rights. The long queues in Barcelona underscore the high demand and profound impact of this new decree on thousands of lives.
As the application period continues until 30 June, many individuals like Yamellis and Manuel anticipate a new chapter. This Barcelona immigration regularisation aims to provide stability and legal recognition, fostering greater social and economic inclusion across Catalonia.
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Originally published by Ara Cat. Read original article.
