Spain Clarifies 2026 Migrant Regularisation Permits Limit Travel to 90/180 Rule

Madrid, April 27, 2026 – Spain's government has issued a firm clarification that the new migrant regularisation programme under Royal Decree-Law 316/2026 does not grant free movement across the Schengen Area, restricting beneficiaries to the standard 90 180 day visit limit for third-country nationals.www.visahq.comiasservices.org.ukwww.euronews.com The policy, which opened applications on April 16 for undocumented migrants present before January 1, 2026, provides a renewable one-year residence and work permit valid exclusively in Spain, debunking viral social media claims of unrestricted EU mobility.www.visahq.com

Euronews' verification team, alongside migration experts like Monique Pariat, confirmed the permits allow short visits—up to 90 days in any 180-day period—to other Schengen states but prohibit work or settlement without separate national authorisations. Eligible applicants, who must prove at least five months of continuous stay and meet criteria like employment or vulnerability, can work legally in Spain from the moment their application is accepted, with decisions expected within three months.www.jobbatical.com The Interior Ministry emphasised that companies sending regularised staff abroad must secure additional permits, such as ICT visas, to avoid fines under EU Directive 2009/52/EC.

This extraordinary process, running until June 30, 2026, targets social integration amid misinformation waves, with French officials echoing that it offers no "back door" to other nations' welfare systems. As applications surge, global mobility teams are urged to update compliance tools for the 90/180 Schengen restrictions, ensuring regularised workers remain tied to Spain.