The new immigration law will take effect in May 2025 with a few interesting improvements, which will sadly not resolve the current problem.
Spain’s government has introduced a transformative new immigration law, aimed at fostering migrant integration by addressing key areas such as education, employment, and family support. The reform adapts Spain’s legal framework to modern migration trends while meeting domestic labor market demands and demographic challenges like an aging population.
A Balanced Approach
Minister of Inclusion, Elma Saiz, described the law as a step forward in safeguarding migrant rights while ensuring legal consistency and addressing Spain’s needs. Developed through consultations with NGOs, unions, employers, and regional authorities, the law aligns with EU directives to streamline migration processes.
Visa Overhaul
The legislation introduces significant changes to visa issuance:
- Simplified Visa Framework: A unified structure for visa types, extending initial permits to one year and subsequent renewals to four years.
- Extended Job-Seeking Visas: These now allow up to one year for job searches, easing entry into the labor market.
- Flexible Transition: Migrants no longer need to leave Spain to switch from temporary to long-term residence permits.
Arraigo in New Immigration Law
Spain expands its unique “arraigo” system, offering five pathways to residency:
- Social Arraigo for established connections.
- Socio-Labor Arraigo for employment-based ties.
- Family Arraigo for reunification.
- Socio-Educational Arraigo for educational pursuits.
- Second-Chance Arraigo for those with lapsed permits.
The required residency duration has been reduced from three years to two, enabling quicker access to regularization. Most permits now allow migrants to work immediately, fostering integration into society.
Boosting Employment Opportunities
The law promotes immediate work authorizations for migrants under most permits, allowing them to contribute to the economy from day one.
- Student Integration: Foreign students can work up to 30 hours per week during studies and fast-track into employment after graduation.
- Seasonal Workers: New protections include clear contracts in native languages and options to change employers in cases of abuse or job termination.
Education Accessibility
The law strengthens protections for international students by:
- Extending study permits for the full duration of courses.
- Allowing part-time employment during studies.
- Establishing stronger safeguards to uphold students’ rights in educational institutions.
Enhanced Family Reunification
Family reunification measures have been expanded:
- Dependent child age extended to 26.
- Support extended to relatives of victims of trafficking and gender-based violence.
- Easier processes for relatives of Spanish citizens to secure residence.
A Path to Inclusion
The government projects that up to 300,000 individuals could benefit annually from these reforms over the next three years. “This law opens doors previously closed, building integration through education, work, and family support,” Minister Saiz emphasized.
Spain’s new immigration law marks a significant stride towards creating an inclusive society while addressing its labor and demographic challenges with progressive policies.
This article is brought to you by Expat Hub Valencia, a property buying agent in Valencia. Using the Expat Hub’s services, you will be able to successfully navigate Valencia’s complicated property market in no time.
© Spain’s New Immigration Law Strengthens Migrant Integration – valenciaproperty.es
Get some more News from Spain like New Immigration Law
