Moroccan Consulates in Spain Overwhelmed as Regularization Deadline Nears

The opportunity is historic, but the administrative bottleneck risks undermining it for many Moroccans. The Spanish government has approved an exceptional decree paving the way for the regularization of more than 500 000 people who arrived in the country before 31 December 2025. This scheme, more flexible than the one introduced in 2005, does not require an employment contract but does require the presentation of a criminal record (certificate of good conduct) issued by the country of origin.

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It is this requirement that is causing the system to seize up. At the Kingdom’s main consulates (Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao), appointment-booking platforms show no availability. The inability to renew a passport or legalize the powers of attorney required is paralyzing the process. Faced with this digital shortage, witnesses report the emergence of a black market in which brokers resell appointment slots for sums ranging from 30 to 100 euros.

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Time is running out for applicants. The operation is expected to run from 1 April to 30 June next. To qualify, applicants must prove five months of continuous presence before submitting their application, using everyday documents such as prescriptions, transport tickets and money transfers. While the measure aims to reduce hardship and strengthen social security in Spain, its success for the Moroccan community will now depend on the consulates’ ability to absorb this surge in demand.