MADRID, February 12, 2025 – The Spanish government announced on Tuesday its decision to regularize irregular migrants affected by the devastating floods that claimed 232 lives on October 29 in the Valencia region. Many of these individuals face “extreme vulnerability.”
This initiative, approved during a cabinet meeting, is part of a broader set of measures aimed at ensuring “legal security” for foreigners living in the flood-impacted municipalities, as well as for their potential employers, according to the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration.
The new policy will allow undocumented individuals who resided in these communities at the time of the disaster to obtain “residence permits for exceptional circumstances,” valid for one year, thus enabling them to “live and work in Spain,” the ministry clarified.
Additionally, residence permits will be granted for five years to relatives of foreign nationals who lost their lives during the severe weather events. Upon expiration, beneficiaries will have the option to apply for renewal through the standard process.
Furthermore, the package of measures adopted on Tuesday includes the automatic renewal of residence permits for foreigners from the affected areas who submit applications. Refusals will only be permitted for reasons related to “public order and safety.” According to the ministry, these measures are expected to benefit approximately 25,000 individuals.
