Category: Immigration and Asylum

The 2026 Extraordinary Regularization is a measure approved by the Government to allow certain foreign nationals already residing in Spain to apply for a residence permit. It is primarily designed for two groups: applicants for international protection and individuals in an irregular administrative situation. The general application period opened on April 16, 2026, and will close on June 30, 2026.

To put it simply: if you have been in Spain for some time, meet specific conditions, and can prove it with documentation, there may be an extraordinary path to regularize your status. Furthermore, the regulation allows you, in many cases, to submit applications for your underage children at the same time.

The Most Important Points at a Glance

This regularization is aimed at people in one of these two situations:

1. Having applied for international protection in Spain before January 1, 2026.
   
2. Being in an irregular administrative situation and having arrived in Spain before January 1, 2026.
   

In both cases, you must also prove a continuous stay of at least five months before submitting the application and have no criminal record under the terms required by the law.

1. Who is Eligible for Extraordinary Regularization?

A) Asylum Seekers or Applicants for International Protection

Foreign nationals who submitted their application for international protection in Spain before January 1, 2026, who are in Spain at the time of the request, and who do not hold a stay or residence permit may apply. They must also not be involved in any other procedure for granting, renewing, extending, or modifying stay or residence permits.

Requirements also include: having remained in Spain continuously for at least five months prior to the application; having no criminal record in Spain or in countries of residence during the last five years; not being a threat to public order, safety, or health; not being listed as “objectionable” (rechazable); and not being subject to a non-return commitment, if applicable.

B) Individuals in an Irregular Administrative Situation

People currently in Spain in an irregular administrative situation may also apply, provided they are in the country when submitting the request, do not have a valid stay or residence permit, do not have another pending residency procedure, and have not held temporary protection for displaced persons from Ukraine.

Additionally, they must prove five months of continuous stay before the application, have no criminal record, and not pose a threat to public order or health. Furthermore, they must prove at least one of these three situations: having worked or intending to work, living with their family unit as established by law, or being in a documented state of vulnerability.

2. Requirements for Each Case, Explained Simply

If you are an asylum seeker:

You qualify through this path if you requested international protection before January 1, 2026. In this case, you are not required to prove a work contract, family unit, or vulnerability. The essential factor is proving you requested asylum on time, have been in Spain for at least five consecutive months, and meet the general requirements. The designated form for this path is EX-31.

If you are in an irregular situation:

In this case, the intended path is Extraordinary Social Roots (Arraigo Extraordinario), and the form is EX-32. Here, proving your presence in Spain for five months is not enough. You must also prove one of the following:

1. Work or intention to work: This can be because you have already worked (as an employee or self-employed) during your stay in Spain, because you have a job offer, or because you declare your intention to be self-employed.

2. Family Unit:
You can prove you live in Spain with underage children, adult children with disabilities who require support, or first-degree ascendants (parents) with whom you reside. In this case, documentation such as school enrollment records for minors or dependents is required.

3. Vulnerability:
You must provide a certificate issued by social services or Third Sector entities registered in the Electronic Register of Foreigner Affairs Collaborators. The vulnerability report model considers situations such as social isolation, homelessness or precarious housing, lack of income, risk of exclusion, difficulties accessing employment, or exposure to exploitation or abuse.

3. What Documents Do You Need to Present?

Basic documents for almost everyone:

Generally, applicants must submit:

• The corresponding official form: EX-31 for international protection applicants or EX-32 for extraordinary social roots.
• A complete copy of your passport, registration certificate, or travel document (even if expired, if recognized as valid in Spain).
• Documents proving you were in Spain before January 1, 2026, and that you were here for at least five consecutive months before applying. Any legally valid evidence including identifying personal data is accepted. The FAQ suggests examples like entry stamps, nominative tickets, bank movements in Spain, training certificates, or nominative rental contracts.
• Criminal record certificate from your country of origin and countries where you lived in the five years prior to entering Spain.
• Proof of fee payment. The information sheet refers to Form 790, code 052, section 2.3.1.

If you cannot obtain your criminal records in time:

The law provides an exceptional solution: if you prove you requested the criminal record certificate and a month has passed without a response, the Administration may attempt to obtain it through diplomatic channels. You will need to submit specific documentation and the corresponding annexes. Important: This option does not replace the certificate; it is an exceptional way to try to obtain it officially.

If your documents are foreign:

Documents issued outside of Spain must be translated into Spanish (or the co-official language of the territory) by a sworn translator. Additionally, foreign public documents must be legalized or apostilled, unless an international treaty provides an exception.

4. Extra Documents Needed Based on Your Case

If you are an international protection applicant:

In addition to the basic documents, you must provide:

• Document proving you submitted your request before January 1, 2026.
  
• Document proving continuous stay in Spain for at least five months before the application.
  

If you are in an irregular situation (Extraordinary Social Roots):

You must provide one of these sets of documents:

Work path
Contract, proof of having worked, or a job offer; for self-employment, a formal declaration included in the model.

Family path
Proof of cohabitation and family unity; if there are dependent minors or persons with disabilities, proof of school enrollment may be required.

Vulnerability path
Vulnerability certificate issued by a competent or collaborating entity.

5. How to Regularize Children as Well?

This is one of the most important points of the reform. If the applicant has underage children, or adult children with disabilities who need support, they can simultaneously apply for a residence permit for them.

The regulation also makes requirements more flexible:

• If the child was born in Spain, the application does not need to be submitted within the first six months after birth.
• If the child was not born in Spain, the general requirement of two years of prior residence, economic means, or “adequate housing” for family reunification is waived. However, it must be proven that the minor has remained in Spain uninterruptedly for the five months prior to the application.

These permits for minors can be granted for up to five years, always prioritizing the best interests of the child.

Forms EX-31 and EX-32 include specific boxes to mark if the simultaneous application is for a child born in Spain or abroad.

6. Where to Submit the Application?

The application can be submitted online (telematic) or in person by appointment.

Online (Telematic):

It can take four forms:

1. By the applicant themselves using an electronic certificate.
2. Through a representative registered in the Electronic Register of Power of Attorney.
3. By authorized professionals (lawyers, social graduates, or administrative managers).
4. By entities registered in the Register of Foreigner Affairs Collaborators.
   

The system used is Mercurio, through the electronic headquarters of the Ministry of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory.

In Person

In-person submission always requires a prior appointment. According to the official FAQ, applications can be submitted at authorized Foreigner Offices (Extranjería), Social Security offices, and Post Offices (Correos). Appointments can be requested on the regularization portal, via Cl@ve or a web form, or by calling 060.

Furthermore, the Royal Decree itself justifies the use of the Post Office as a channel to support online management and submission, precisely to facilitate access throughout the country, including in rural areas.

7. What Happens After Submitting the Application?

A key point: The simple receipt of submission is not yet the formal notification that the procedure has started. That notification is sent by the Foreigner Files Processing Unit. From that notification of commencement (comunicación de inicio), the person is provisionally authorized to reside and work across Spain and in any sector until their file is resolved. Additionally, a Social Security number will be assigned, and the right to healthcare will be recognized.

The initial authorization granted is valid for one year. Afterward, you will need to transition to the ordinary residence categories or request the corresponding extension.

If the decision is favourable, the TIE must be processed within one month.

8. Who Should Not Apply for This Process?

According to the official FAQ, this procedure is not intended for people who already have a valid permit or are in the process of renewal. It is also not for people displaced by the conflict in Ukraine with temporary protection or valid residency, nor for stateless persons (apátridas), as those cases have their own legal regime. If you have already applied for “arraigo” or another permit and are awaiting a decision, you do not need to submit anything new; your current application will continue its course.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I apply if I requested asylum before January 1, 2026?

Yes, if you meet the other requirements (staying in Spain, no other valid permit, 5 months stay, and clean criminal record).

Can I apply if I am in an irregular situation?

Yes, but you must also prove work/intent to work, family unity, or documented vulnerability.

What is the key date?

January 1, 2026. You must have been in Spain before that date.

How long must I have been in Spain?

At least five continuous months before applying.

Does any document prove my presence?

Any legally valid proof with identifying data (tickets, bank moves, training, rental contracts).

Do I need to submit a criminal record?

Yes. If you don’t get it within a month of requesting it, there is an exceptional diplomatic route, but it doesn’t automatically replace the certificate.

Can I include my children?

Yes, you can apply for their residency simultaneously.

Do I need to prove economic means for my children?

For children not born in Spain, this requirement is waived in this specific process.

Where do I apply?

Online or in person (appointment required) at Foreigner Offices, Social Security, or Post Offices.

Can I apply through an NGO?

Yes, if the entity is registered as a Collaborator. They can also provide advice and act as representatives.

When can I start working?

From the moment you receive the notification of commencement (comunicación de inicio) of the procedure.

Does this permit allow working in other EU countries?

No, it is valid for residing and working in Spain only.

At SenValos, we recommend acting with order rather than haste. This regularization is a real opportunity, but a poorly prepared application can lead to problems. First, identify your group, gather clear evidence of your stay, check your criminal records, and prepare your children’s applications carefully. This should be done with attention and, if possible, with specialized guidance.

When a Council of State opinion is released, it does not mean that the regularization has already been approved. It means something else: that the Council has reviewed the draft Royal Decree and stated which parts it approves of, which parts must be corrected, and which changes it considers essential before the Government approves it. In this case, the opinion is dated April 9, 2026, and concludes by saying that if its essential observations are incorporated, the project can be submitted to the Council of Ministers.

Put very simply: we are not yet facing the final regulation, but we already know quite well how the extraordinary regularization process is intended to be organized and what legal and practical problems the Council of State has detected. This is important because it helps us understand who could apply, what documents might be requested, and what points may change in the final text.

Who could access regularization according to the document

The draft reviewed by the Council of State outlines two main access routes. The first is designed for individuals who had applied for international protection in Spain before January 1, 2026. The second is designed for persons in an irregular administrative situation who fit into a new category called extraordinary rooting (arraigo extraordinario).

The general idea of the project is to provide a temporary residence permit due to exceptional circumstances. Furthermore, the draft is based on a very large forecast: it estimates around 750,000 applications and approximately 500,000 beneficiaries, which explains why the Council of State insists so much that the procedure must be very clear and well-organized.

1. The route for asylum seekers

According to the reviewed text, foreign nationals who, before January 1, 2026, had submitted, registered, or formalized their application for international protection in Spain could access this route. However, the Council of State requests an important correction: it considers that this route should not be mixed with statelessness, thus proposing to remove applicants for stateless status from this specific text.

A major objection arises here: the draft stated that if a person applied for this regularization, their asylum procedure would be paralyzed until the regularization request was firmly resolved. The Council of State clearly says this must be removed, as it may create uncertainty and disrupt asylum processing. In simple terms: applying for regularization should not freeze the asylum file.

This is a key takeaway for many migrants: the Council of State disagrees with forcing people to choose between continuing with asylum or entering the extraordinary regularization. Their recommendation is for this “brake” to disappear from the final text.

2. The route for persons in an irregular administrative situation

The second door is that of the so-called extraordinary rooting. Here, the draft places several different groups under the same label. It is not a single situation. They are, in fact, several doors within the same door.

The first sub-route is for people who have already worked in Spain before or who want to work in the future. In the case of those who want to work as employees, the text speaks of an offer or contract, although the Council of State asks to remove the reference to “labor contract” and leave it better defined as a real job offer. In the case of those who want to be self-employed, the draft provides for a “responsible declaration,” but the Council says it must be much better explained what it should contain: activity, sector, scope, experience, and other basic data. It also warns that the text does not clarify well how work already performed in the past will be proven.

The second sub-route is for people living in Spain with their family unit, when in that unit there are minor daughters or sons, adult daughters or sons with disabilities who need support or cannot cover their own needs, or first-degree ancestors with whom they live. In other words: the draft attempts to open a special route for families already living together in Spain who have a situation of dependency or care.

The third sub-route is for people in a situation of vulnerability. Here, the Council of State also puts on the brakes. It accepts that this vulnerability can be accredited by competent social assistance entities and, additionally, by Third Sector entities registered in the Electronic Registry of Immigration Collaborators. But it requires one very important thing: that the regulation explains exactly what is understood by vulnerability. Furthermore, it rejects the presumption that every person in an irregular situation is vulnerable by definition.

3. What happens with minors and families

This is one of the points that most interests many families, and the opinion devotes considerable attention to it. In the case of asylum seekers entering this regularization, the draft provides that their minor children—or adults with disabilities or dependency—can apply for their own authorization at the same time. This application would be resolved simultaneously with that of the main adult. The same is contemplated for first-degree ancestors, spouses, or registered partners when they are part of the cohabitation unit.

To put it very clearly: the document tries to avoid a situation where an adult regularizes their situation, but their daughters, sons, or close relatives are left behind.

The logic of the draft is that, when there is a family living together in Spain, the administrative response should not break that unit nor leave minors in a worse situation. The Council of State values this approach positively.

What documentation might be required

Here it is advisable to be very cautious: this comes from the reviewed draft, not the definitive text. Even so, the opinion does show which papers would play a central role.

Generally, the project mentions: a complete copy of the passport, registration certificate, or valid travel document in Spain; proof of continuous stay in Spain during the five months prior to the application; proof of fee payment; and accreditation of habitual residence.

For asylum seekers, in addition to those general documents, it would be necessary to prove that the request for international protection was submitted before January 1, 2026.

If the application is also submitted for daughters, sons, or other relatives in the same unit, it is logical that documentation proving the family link and, where appropriate, cohabitation or the situation of dependency must be provided.

The most sensitive role: Criminal records

If there is a point where the Council of State gets particularly serious, it is this one. The draft required having no criminal records and proposed some exceptions and flexible solutions. The Council says that this is not enough. It calls for a much more rigorous verification.

In practice, the opinion asks for the removal of exceptions that exempted providing foreign criminal records and also rejects that the lack of that certificate can be so easily replaced with a “responsible declaration.”

Its message is clear: without serious control of criminal records in the country of origin or in countries of previous residence, the procedure remains poorly constructed.

Where and how applications would be submitted

The draft provides that the application be addressed to the Government Delegation or Sub-delegation of the province where the person resides. The maximum resolution period provided in the project is three months from the entry of the application into the registry.

Additionally, the project contemplated enabling other public offices, such as the Post Office or Social Security offices. The Council of State reminds that public companies like Tragsa or Post Office personnel cannot replace the Administration in decisions involving the exercise of public power.

In parallel, the Ministry already opened the Electronic Registry of Immigration Collaborators in March so that migration organizations can provide free support.

What effects submitting the application would have

The draft provides something very relevant: once the application is admitted for processing, the person could work throughout the national territory, in any sector, and both as an employee and as self-employed.

The Council of State asks for clarification on the difference between a simple communication of commencement and a true admission for processing.

Main conclusions and recommendations of the Council of State

First: The Council does not strike down the extraordinary regularization; it says it can be approved if essential parts are corrected.

Second: It calls for a better separation between regularization and asylum, eliminating the automatic paralysis of the international protection procedure.

Third: It demands a much clearer procedure regarding: criminal records, vulnerability, documentation, and administrative organization.

Fourth: It warns of the enormous management challenge due to the volume of hundreds of thousands of applications.

When it could be approved and when it would enter into force

The text analyzed sets a deadline for submitting applications as June 30, 2026.

Right now, as of April 12, 2026, the regularization is not yet in force. Following the release of the opinion, the Government stated it is already working to approve the text “as soon as possible.”

Some journalistic reports place that approval on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, but as of today, that remains a forecast.

Key Idea

The most sensible recommendation today is not to be carried away by rumors.

Until the definitive Royal Decree is published in the BOE, there is no officially open period to submit applications.

What we do have, however, is a fairly clear picture of the direction the process is taking and of the points that will need to be scrutinised closely once the final text is published.

On 26 January 2026, a political agreement was announced to promote an extraordinary regularisation of foreign nationals already living in Spain. According to the information released, on Tuesday 27 January 2026, the Council of Ministers plans to approve the start of the processing of a Royal Decree that would articulate this process.

This is important: we are not yet looking at the final applicable text. The key practical factor will be the final Royal Decree and, above all, its publication in the Official State Gazette, together with the operating instructions (where to submit it, how to prove each requirement, internal deadlines, etc.). In the meantime, the smartest thing to do is to calmly gather information, avoid rumours and prepare documentation judiciously.

Below is a practical guide aimed at migrants, companies and employers who may benefit from this measure.

1) What is this extraordinary regularisation?

What was approved on 27 January is the formal start of the urgent processing of an extraordinary regularisation by Royal Decree, with the stated aim of providing legal certainty and bringing order to a situation that already exists in the country.

The Administration has announced a provisional timetable: applications are expected to be accepted from early April 2026 (once the procedures for the final approval of the Royal Decree have been completed) and the process will remain open until 30 June 2026.

This point is crucial: between ‘announcement/start of processing’ and ‘fully operational procedure’, there are usually details that change on a daily basis (forms, submission channels, accepted documentation, evaluation criteria). Therefore, today the priority is not to ‘rush’, but to prepare yourself to do things right when the BOE sets the exact rules.

2) Who could benefit: key criteria announced

According to what has been published, the central elements would be:

• Cut-off date: be in Spain before 31 December 2025.
• Minimum stay: proof of at least five months‘ stay/residence.
• Criminal record: no relevant/serious criminal record (the exact wording will depend on the final text).
• Groups: it is mentioned that it would cover people in an irregular situation and also asylum seekers (under the terms to be defined).

The official information already published expressly includes applicants for international protection, provided that they can prove that they submitted their application before 31 December 2025. In this case, the general requirement of a minimum stay of five months does not apply, because the criterion is based on the date of submission of the application for international protection.

For individuals who are in the appeal phase, following the denial of a red card or asylum, and who continue to be authorised to work due to the granting of precautionary measures (or other current coverage), it will be necessary to verify two aspects at the same time:

• Plan 1 (extraordinary regularisation): the person either meets or does not meet the criteria that are ultimately confirmed for applicants for international protection (date of application, supporting documentation and absence of impediments).
• Plan 2 (current work situation): the employment relationship continues to be based on a valid work permit (red card/renewals and, if applicable, proof of appeal and precautionary measures).

Regularisation, if ultimately applied to these applicants for international protection, may open the way to a residence permit that is intended to be more stable and with a subsequent ‘leap’ to ordinary status. However, until the Royal Decree is finally approved and published, it is prudent not to take anything for granted.

Minors and families: are they eligible for extraordinary regularisation?

Yes, in principle, minors can be included in this process, but it is important to explain this clearly to avoid misunderstandings. According to the official guidelines issued after the start of the process, regularisation is not only intended for ‘individual adults’, but also to protect family stability. In practice, this means that when an adult submits their application for regularisation, their minor children who are already in Spain are expected to be able to regularise their status at the same time. In addition, it has been pointed out that authorisation for minors could be valid for a longer period (five years has been mentioned), precisely to provide continuity and prevent children and adolescents from being caught up in constant renewals.

In the case of minors who are applicants for international protection, the criterion announced for applicants (the date of application before 31/12/2025) could also be relevant, but the exact fit will depend on the final Royal Decree and what is published in the Official State Gazette.

3) Expected benefits if you take advantage of the measure: announced practical effects

In the absence of the final text in the Official State Gazette, there are several elements that have already been officially communicated which, if confirmed as they stand, will have a direct impact on your planning:

The regularisation process sets a cut-off date (being in Spain or having submitted an application for international protection before 31 December 2025) and requires, as a general condition, that applicants have no criminal record and do not pose a threat to public order.

As for the effects, the authorisation granted would be valid for an initial period of one year, after which the person would have to comply with the ordinary provisions of the Immigration Regulations in order to consolidate their status. And, especially important for working life: it has been indicated that, once the application has been submitted, admission to the process would be decided within a maximum period of 15 days and that, from that admission, the possibility of working would be enabled. The Administration also sets itself a maximum period of three months to reach a decision.

4) If you are a migrant: how to prepare yourself now (without making mistakes)

Until it is published in the Official State Gazette, it is wise to prepare evidence and organise your information. Some useful actions:

Gather evidence of permanence (with clear dates)

The following have been cited as examples of valid documentation:

• Register (registration).
• Reports or proof of medical appointments.
• Certificates of attendance at social resources.
• Rental agreement.
• Proof of money transfers.
• Transport tickets.

Practical recommendation: create a folder (physical and digital) and organise it by month. What usually goes wrong in these processes is not “not having anything”, but rather not being able to demonstrate continuity or not being able to date the presence correctly.

Check your identity documents.

Although the final documentation requirements have not yet been published, in administrative practice it is usually essential to have:

• Valid passport (if possible) or available identification documentation.
• Legible and consistent copies (first names, surnames, dates).

If there are any inconsistencies, it is advisable to correct them with advice before submitting anything.

Avoid risks: fraud, ‘shortcuts’ and false promises

In regularisation scenarios, scams arise (charges for appointments, simulated contracts, unlicensed ‘agents’). A simple rule: no one can guarantee you a result before there is a procedure in the Official State Gazette and before studying your case.

5) If you are a company or employer: what changes and how to make the most of them

For a company, this measure can mean something very specific: expanding access to talent that is already working or could work, but without a stable administrative pathway.

What opportunities does it open up?

• More legally secure hiring when the person obtains authorisation and legal registration.
• Reduction in staff turnover and the underground economy, as employment relationships can be formalised.

What to do now

Although the final procedure will depend on the text published in the Official State Gazette, you can move forward with internal work that will allow you to react quickly and with legal certainty when the deadline opens. Start by assessing your actual staffing needs — profiles, shifts, work centres and peak times — to identify which positions could be filled as soon as people obtain authorisation to work. Next, it is advisable to define a clear circuit between Human resources, employment advice, risk prevention and team leaders , so that the incorporation is orderly and does not create bottlenecks in hiring, recognition, training, or documentation.

At the same time, establish an internal policy of compliance and document traceability: the company should only hire and register employees when there is valid authorisation or accreditation, and keep evidence (contract, registration, communications and any other required documents) in order to be able to demonstrate good practices in the event of any verification. This approach reduces risks and also instils confidence in your staff and customers.

How to support your staff

If your team includes asylum seekers with red cards who have been denied international protection but have appealed that denial and are working under precautionary measures (or other resolutions that maintain their eligibility), the most valuable thing your company can offer is order, legal certainty, and practical support.

In practice, this means periodically verifying—always with the utmost confidentiality—that the current documentation maintains the authorisation to work: valid red card, proof of renewal where applicable and, if applicable, resolution or proof of the appeal and the request/granting of precautionary measures. This is not a matter of ‘asking for too much’, but rather of ensuring that the employment relationship is based on a valid qualification and that the company can prove this in the event of any checks.

From there, useful support is operational: facilitating flexible hours for court appearances, notifications, appointments, or renewals; setting up a point of contact in HR to channel documentation without exposing the person; and establishing internal reminders about expiry dates and renewals, because an administrative oversight can lead to avoidable interruptions.

Finally, if the Royal Decree on regularisation confirms a specific route for asylum seekers in certain circumstances, the company can support its staff with a clear policy of verified information, avoiding rumours and always referring to specialist advice when there are doubts. This approach protects the individual, reduces risks for the company and reinforces a stable and dignified working environment.

6) Probable timeline and what to watch for starting 27 January

The decisive factors in the coming weeks will be: the final approval of the Royal Decree, its publication in the Official State Gazette (BOE) and the publication of implementation instructions (submission channels, documentary accreditation, internal deadlines, possible fees and admission criteria).

Until then, if your case fits the profile of a person who can benefit from this regularisation process, your best strategy is to prepare yourself to act within the planned window without improvising: organised documentation, clear dates and rigorous advice when the final text is available.

7) How SenValos can help you

At SenValos, we work with a simple idea: to guide you with accurate and realistic information, without feeding false expectations and focusing on safe decisions for you or your organisation.

Once the measure has been approved and published in the Official State Gazette, we will be able to:

• Analyse your case (migrant) or your situation as a company/employer.
• Assist you in interpreting requirements, preparing documentation, and avoiding errors.
• Supporting you so that regularisation, if applicable, translates into stability, decent employment and real inclusion.

The Council of Ministers has agreed to extend by one year the period for exercising the right to opt for Spanish nationality set out in the eighth additional provision of Law 20/2022, of 19 October, on Democratic Memory, making it possible to extend to a third year the two-year period provided for in that section for exercising the right to opt for Spanish nationality, in the cases recognised in that additional provision.

The application of this additional provision involves the Civil Registry Offices, with a very significant impact on the Consular Civil Registries. In some Consular Posts, despite the efforts made to provide them with additional resources, the two-year period is not sufficient to absorb the demand for appointments for the exercise of the right.

Consequently, it is necessary to exercise the power granted to the Council of Ministers to extend by one year the period of two years foreseen in the law to opt for Spanish nationality, in such a way that all the applications for appointment already submitted and pending the assignment of a date can be dealt with, as well as all the applications submitted that cannot be dealt with in the first two years of application initially foreseen in the law.

The two-year period of two years provided for in that section for the exercise of the right to opt for Spanish nationality recognised by that additional provision for those born outside Spain of a father or mother, grandfather or grandmother, who were originally Spanish, and who, as a result of having suffered exile for political, ideological or religious reasons or for reasons of sexual orientation and identity, have lost or renounced Spanish nationality, as well as persons who are in the following situations, is therefore extended for a third year:

a) Children born abroad to Spanish women who lost their nationality because they married foreigners before the entry into force of the 1978 Constitution.

b) Sons and daughters of legal age of those Spaniards whose nationality of origin was recognised by virtue of the right of option in accordance with the provisions of this law or the seventh additional provision of Law 52/2007, which recognises and extends rights and establishes measures in favour of those who suffered persecution or violence during the civil war and the dictatorship.

The eighth additional provision of the Law of Democratic Memory itself establishes that the aforementioned two-year period begins with the entry into force of the law, so that its validity would end on 22 October 2024.

Since the entry into force of the aforementioned Law, until 31 March 2024, the Consular Civil Registry Offices have received 301,121 applications for the option of Spanish nationality of origin.

More than 95 percent of the applications were received at the Spanish Consular Offices in Latin America and the Consulate General of Spain in Miami. Specifically, the five consulates general of Spain in Argentina account for 40 percent of the applications, and together with the Consulate General of Spain in Havana, they account for more than 53 percent of the applications. In all of them there are a number of applicants who are unlikely to be summoned and attended to before the end of the two-year period provided for in the aforementioned eighth additional provision of the Law.

For this reason, the Government is extending the two-year deadline for applying for Spanish nationality by one year, so that all applications for appointments already submitted and pending the assignment of a date can be dealt with, as well as all applications submitted that cannot be dealt with in the first two years of application initially foreseen in the law.

The crisis in Ukraine has displaced millions, creating one of the largest waves of refugees in recent history. With families separated and lives disrupted, the need for clear and accessible information about relief resources has never been more critical.

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