After several days of saturation at various administrative offices such as Extranjería (Immigration Office), Correos (Post Office), and local councils, the situation in Almería has dramatically changed. The start of the in-person phase for immigrant regularization, which now requires a prior appointment, has allowed for a staggered flow and efficient service, eliminating long waits.

The main challenge was not the processing itself, but the preliminary requirements. The regularization process demands proof of presence in Spain before January 1, 2026, and continuous residency for at least five months, in addition to providing official documentation or justifying personal circumstances. This documentary filter was the cause of the initial surges at local councils, consulates, and social entities throughout the province.

Estimates suggest that between 30,000 and 50,000 people could regularize their status in the province, a figure that will have a significant impact on the local demographic landscape. Official data already show over 20,000 applications, and the final outcome will depend on the processing pace until June 30, the deadline for the process.

Currently, over 86,000 foreign workers are affiliated with the Social Security system in Almería, representing more than 25% of the provincial total. With the anticipated regularizations, the foreign population could increase to between 27.9% and 29.1% of the total inhabitants, approaching the threshold of one in three foreign residents by 2026.

This process will have a direct effect on key sectors such as agriculture, processing, construction, transport, and hospitality, which heavily rely on foreign workers. Regularization will allow thousands of individuals to obtain legal contracts, contribute to social security, and access labor rights, while also helping businesses fill vacancies in a strained labor market.