Spain's migrants welcome amnesty: 'It will help us in every way'

Diana left her native Peru two years ago, looking for financial and professional stability in Europe. But, as an undocumented migrant in Spain, life has been difficult. The 40-year-old's dream of working in the tourism industry has not transpired. Instead, she has got by doing occasional jobs. "Working without residency documents is hard because employers can tell you one thing and then get you to do something else," she says. "Sometimes they pay you less than what you've agreed to, so that makes things tough. "It's stressful, you can get exploited, and then you can end up not just without any money, but sick and lonely." Access to many banking products and housing – which is seeing a crisis in Spain due to spiralling rental costs – is severely restricted for those unable to present residency papers to potential landlords. But the recent announcement by the Spanish government of a scheme to legalise the status of at least half a million migrants has provided Diana, and many others, with hope. "It's going to help us in every possible way," she says. "It'll be good for the government too, because [these migrants] will be paying taxes, generating income, they will be able to invest, t

Mar 9, 2026 → Mar 27, 2026