Page 11 - Demo

March 2026 | Gazette Life | 112008-2014. Prime Minister Pedro S%u00e1nchez recently stated %u201cMigration accounts for 80 percent of the growth recorded in Spain over the past six years, it contributes 10 percent of Social Security revenues while representing only 1 percent of expenditure.\The amnesty resulted from a citizen%u2019s initiative that gathered more than 700,000 signatures, and has been supported by religious organisations, including Spain%u2019s bishops. However, the decree has been strongly criticised by the opposition PP party, who claim the measure will cause pressure on social services. Concern has also been expressed in Brussels that the policy does not reflect the EU%u2019s more restrictive recent policies on immigration. Public services trade unions have also warned that the amnesty could cause an avalanche of claims that staff are not prepared for.The far-right Vox Party, which has proposed massive deportations of regular and irregular immigrants, has accused S%u00e1nchez of %u201ctrying to replace Spaniards.%u201dCAN BRITONS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE AMNESTY? There seems to be no reason why UK, (or any other non-EU nationals) living in Spain cannot apply for the permit, although, as asylum claims are likely to be a non-starter, they would have to fulfil one of three conditions:- Be working, have worked or have a job offer- Have family with school-age children or elderly dependents.- Be in a %u201cvulnerable situation%u201d (this usually refers to poverty, disability etc).They would also have to be able to show that they arrived in Spain before the end of 2025 and had no criminal record or serious charges pending. Each case is assessed individually.