Spain is to legalise about 300,000 undocumented migrants a year - at a time that many European countries are seeking to limit or deter migration.
The policy, approved on Tuesday by Spain's left-wing minority coalition government, aims to tackle the country's ageing workforce and low birthrate.
Around 250,000 registered foreign workers a year are needed to maintain the country's welfare state, according to migration minister Elma Saiz.
The scheme, due to run from May next year until 2027, will allow foreigners living in Spain without proper documentation to obtain work permits and residency.
The exact number of foreigners living in Spain without documentation is unclear.
However, around 54,000 undocumented migrants reached Spain so far this year by sea or land, according to government figures.
Many arrive via the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago located off the coast of northwestern Africa.
Read more from Sky News:
Anger in the Spanish town smashed by floods
Spain seizes 13 tonnes of cocaine worth £659m
The figure compares to the 30,000 people who have arrived in the UK via small boats across the Channel so far in 2024.
The UK, as well as other European nations, including Germany, France, and the Netherlands, have in recent years taken tougher stances on migration.
However, Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has often described his government's migration policies as a way to combat the country's low birthrate.
The government's new policy simplifies the administrative processes for short and long-term visas and provides migrants with additional workplace protections.
It also extends a visa offered previously to job-seekers for three months to one year.
Many migrants make a living in Spain's underground economy as fruit pickers, caretakers, delivery drivers, or other low-paid jobs.
Migration minister Ms Saiz said the government's new policy would help prevent abuse and "serve to combat mafias, fraud and the violation of rights".
(c) Sky News 2024: Spain to legalise about 300,000 undocumented migrants a year
Four dead and more in hospital with methanol poisoning after drinking 'free shots' in Laos
Ukraine fires UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles at targets inside Russia
Google could be forced to sell its Chrome browser over internet search monopoly claims
Hussam Al Ramli: Man arrested in Wolverhampton as part of major European people smuggling sting
How AI can let you speak with space
Marius Borg Hoiby: Son of Norway's crown princess appears in court over alleged rape
Alec Baldwin's Rust premieres three years after fatal shooting - but cinematographer's mother refuses to attend
Spain floods: Gruelling cleanup in town still haunted by the ghosts of deadly floods
Americans upset about Trump win offered '€1 houses' in Italian village of Ollolai
