Spain facing three million migrant surge in just one year as expert warns of ‘time bomb’ for Europe

Mr Ballester claimed Madrid had dramatically underestimated the impact of its migrant regularisation scheme, warning family reunification rules could triple the number ultimately settling in the country.

“The first figures released show it's actually triple what was initially foreseen,” he said.

“This is a time bomb for the Spanish society, and it will also have a huge impact on other countries of the European Union.”

The political strategist explained once migrants receive legal status, they become eligible to bring family members to Spain and other European Union countries.

“Family reunification means you can bring your wife, your children, sometimes your parents and even your in-laws,” he said.

Mr Ballester estimated the policy could result in 1.2 to 1.3 million people arriving through the scheme, but warned the total could climb to around three million once family members and abuses of the system were taken into account.

He claimed around 400,000 migrants had travelled from elsewhere in the EU to Spain to qualify under what he described as “very permissive” eligibility rules.

"The criteria were so lenient, so lousy," he slammed, adding the Government only required applicants to have been in Spain for five consecutive months before January 1, 2026, and to provide evidence of no criminal record.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has defended the amnesty policy, citing the nation’s ageing population as a driving force for increasing migration.

He also said the measures would legitimise “a reality that already exists in our country” and see migrants able to work and contribute to society.

“The fact that more than 1million people submitted applications shows just how necessary this recognition of rights and responsibilities was,” he said.

However, Mr Ballester was unconvinced by the Spanish leader’s justifications.

Beyond the sheer numbers of people entering the country, the political strategist also said integration was becoming a key issue.

He explained Spain had historically avoided some of the cultural tensions seen elsewhere in Europe because most migrants arrived from Latin America.

However, Mr Ballester warned the latest regularisation could increase migration from countries such as Pakistan.

“That's not a common culture. This will undermine social cohesion.”

His concerns were also shared by Spain’s right-wing Vox Party, which is the third largest in opposition.

A Vox spokesman claimed the amnesty policy was contributing to “the demographic, social, labour and electoral transformation of Spain”.