SPAIN’S immigration system is heading for chaos after workers called an indefinite strike just days before a mass migrant regularisation scheme begins.
The Workers’ Commissions union (CCOO) has called an indefinite strike from April 20, warning of overstretched and understaffed offices.
Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Alicante, Murcia, Malaga, Almeria, Girona and the Balearics will be hit hardest – all areas with large migrant populations.
Madrid is preparing to roll out a controversial plan to grant residency and work permits to around 500,000 undocumented migrants.
Applications open on the same day the strike begins.
Applicants must file them before June 30, piling pressure on immigration offices, post offices and Social Security centres handling the workload.
Staff say the system is already buckling under the workload.
Around 180,000 immigration cases sat unresolved in the backlog by the end of 2025.
Workers have been complaining of chronic staff shortages, poor pay and a lack of proper training.
Unions warn the situation has reached breaking point already.
Among their demands are better salaries, clearer job classifications, proper recognition of productivity and more stable staffing structures.
If the strike goes ahead, it could throw the entire regularisation process into disarray.
Migrants will be able to apply via Social Security and Correos counters, but key biometric appointments could be brought to a standstill.
READ MORE: Spain grants free on-the-spot healthcare to all undocumented migrants
The government is scrambling to limit the fallout.
Plans include fast-tracking existing cases and automatically approving applications for migrants who meet basic criteria.
Officials will also draft in public companies for support, but insiders say everything hinges on immigration offices staying open.
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