Today we woke up to news published by El País: the Spanish Government plans to put an end, starting in June 2026, to the systematic granting of residence permits on humanitarian grounds to Venezuelan nationals. This decision marks a turning point in Spain’s immigration and international protection system.
In recent years, this mechanism has allowed thousands of Venezuelan citizens to regularize their status relatively quickly. However, this scenario is about to change significantly.
⏺️ What was this regularization pathway?
Since 2018, Spain had applied a specific approach to Venezuelan nationals applying for international protection.
In practice, the framework was clear:
- Venezuelan citizens would apply for asylum in Spain.
- Even if refugee status was not granted, they would receive a residence permit on humanitarian grounds.
- This permit allowed them to live and work in Spain for one year, renewable.
- It also facilitated access to Spanish nationality after two years of legal and continuous residence.
This mechanism functioned as an intermediate solution for cases that did not meet the strict definition of asylum, but where returning the individual to their country of origin was not considered viable.
⏺️ From an exceptional measure to a structural pathway
What began as a temporary response to the situation in Venezuela eventually became a standard route for regularization.
The figures clearly reflect this evolution:
- More than 240,000–250,000 permits granted since 2018.
- In some years, almost all humanitarian residence permits were granted to Venezuelan nationals.
- In the last year alone, figures approached 50,000 approvals.
This volume effectively turned this pathway into a major gateway into Spain’s residence system.
⏺️ Why is this pathway being eliminated?
The Government’s decision is based on several factors that have accumulated over recent years.
On one hand, the pressure on the asylum system has been evident. The high number of applications has led to delays, difficulties in obtaining appointments, and an administrative burden that has become difficult to sustain. In this regard, El País highlights that the system has been clearly strained by the volume of cases, particularly those involving Venezuelan applicants.
On the other hand, there is a clear intention to restore the international protection system to its original purpose. As the same source notes, the Ministry of the Interior considers that a significant portion of applications did not reflect genuine persecution scenarios, but were instead used as a pathway for regularization.
The broader European context also plays a role. El País emphasizes that alignment with the new EU asylum framework—more restrictive and set to be implemented in 2026—has been a key factor in this decision.
Additionally, the evolving political situation in Venezuela has been cited as a further justification for revisiting this differentiated treatment, although the situation remains complex and uncertain.
⏺️ What changes from June 2026?
The change is significant: the automatic granting of humanitarian residence permits for Venezuelan nationals will disappear.
In practice:
- Asylum applications will continue under the standard procedure.
- Humanitarian permits will only be granted in very specific circumstances.
- Venezuelan nationals will be subject to the same immigration pathways as any other foreign nationals.
This means that one of the most accessible and predictable routes to regularization in Spain will no longer exist.
⏺️ What happens to those who already hold this permit?
One of the main questions concerns Venezuelan nationals who already have a humanitarian residence permit.
In principle:
- Existing permits will remain valid.
- They may continue through the normal renewal or modification processes in accordance with applicable regulations.
- In many cases, if two years of legal residence have already been completed, applying for Spanish nationality should be considered.
⏺️ Real alternatives for residency in Spain
Although this pathway is being eliminated, there are still other options that should be assessed depending on each individual’s profile:
- Student stay permits.
- Non-lucrative residence.
- Residence and work permits.
- Arraigo (ties to Spain) in its different forms.
- Residence as a family member of a Spanish citizen.
- Potential eligibility under the extraordinary regularization process, if requirements are met.
Each of these options requires proper planning and a prior case-by-case assessment.
⏺️ How can ARC Legal help you?
At ARC Legal, we work with foreign nationals who want to legally reside in Spain, helping them define the best strategy based on their personal and professional circumstances.
If you are considering moving to Spain or regularizing your status:
- We analyze your case individually.
- We identify the best available pathway.
- We guide you throughout the entire process.
You can contact us to review your case in detail.
Related publications
- Criteria 1/2026: DGGM expands the scope of humanitarian residence permits in cases involving minors
- Extraordinary Regularization 2026: the Government publishes a second draft with relevant changes
- Spain reaches a historic record in international protection decisions in 2025
¿Prefieres leer este artículo en español 🇪🇸? Aquí te dejamos el enlace: Adiós a la autorización de residencia por razones humanitarias para venezolanos: nuevo escenario migratorio en España
The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, immigration regulations are subject to change and interpretation by the competent authorities. For personalized and up-to-date advice, we recommend consulting with a specialized immigration lawyer.