Spain's regularization of hundreds of thousands of illegal migrants has French villages along the border on edge, and for good reason. Due to the free movement allowed within the Schengen Area, France could easily see a massive influx of newly legalized immigrants from Spain who have decided they would rather live and work elsewhere. Now, France's National Rally, along with right-wing and conservative parties across Europe, are calling for a rethink on how Schengen operates in Europel.

"I believe that free movement within the Schengen Area should be reserved exclusively for nationals of European countries. Obtaining a residence permit in Spain, for example, should not allow free movement throughout all European Union countries," wrote National Rally leader Jordan Bardella.

One village, just four kilometers from the Spanish border, is well known to undocumented migrants from the Iberian Peninsula. David Cerdan, a railway worker, regularly encounters them on the tracks, telling Europe 1, "They prefer to come at night."

"We have already seen groups of 50-60 people arrive, mostly Algerians, Moroccans, between 16 and 25 years old most of the time," he said.

One undocumented Malian bemoans that he has been unable to get residency in France, so he will be going to Spain in hopes of being granted amnesty and regularization there. "I have been in France since 2008. But I don't have French papers, and honestly, it's very difficult to get them. So, I'm going to Spain to try my luck," he told Europe1.

Spain's Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez last week stated that the move is both a moral duty and an economic necessity, describing it as "an act of justice" and a recognition of "the reality of nearly half a million people" already living in Spain.

Those applying must prove they were in Spain before Dec. 31, 2025, and have remained for at least five months. They will then be eligible for provisional residence and work permits, provided they have no serious criminal record, although those suspected of fraud will reportedly also be allowed. 

Once an application is filed, deportation proceedings are suspended, and successful applicants will receive a renewable one-year residence permit. The Malian in question above will not have been in Spain for the necessary 5 months, but he says a friend has papers he can use.

Of primary concern is the number of illegals who will ultimately be granted residency. While the figure used is 500,000, with estimates saying this could, in reality, hit over 1.6 million. A report from Spain's National Immigration and Borders Center estimated that between 750,000 and 1 million undocumented migrants already in the country are likely to apply, with a further 250,000 to 350,000 asylum seekers also eligible.

And French villages are worried that many of these will be seeking greener pastures in France.