Spain plans to legalize up to 300 thousand migrants per year.

Spain plans to legalize up to 300 thousand migrants per year

The Spanish authorities intend to legalize up to 300 thousand migrants annually to fill the labor shortage in the country due to an aging population. This was stated by the country's Minister of Social Security and Migration, Elma Sais. Her words are quoted by Economic Times.

«Spain has a choice between an open prosperous country or a closed poor country. We chose the former», – she said.

According to her, the policy of attracting migrants will last for three years. She specified that Spain needs 250-300 thousand foreign workers annually who are able to pay taxes to maintain a welfare state.

The new measures by the authorities include simplifying procedures for granting residence and work permits to immigrants, which will facilitate foreign labor's guaranteed labor rights. In addition, those seeking jobs will be able to extend their visa from three to 12 months. Foreigners with student visas will be allowed to work up to 30 hours a week.

The media report that Spain's economy, with a population of 48.9 million, is the fastest-growing in the EU. This trend is supported by the influx of skilled migrants from Latin American countries. According to rating agency Fitch Ratings Inc., more migrants entered Spain in 2022 than in the previous decade.

Surveys conducted in October showed that 57% of respondents believe the current level of migration to the country is too high. 54% believe that the actual number of immigrants is higher than reported by the authorities.

By the way, compared to last year, the unemployment rate has decreased both in the Eurozone and in the EU overall. In September of this year, the highest unemployment rate was in Spain at 11.2%. Following is Greece at 9.3%, then Sweden (8.5%). In Slovakia, the unemployment rate in September was 5.2%, in Hungary it was 4.5%, and in Poland it was 2.9%.