Barcelona has assisted 27,000 people with their migrant regularisation process at municipal facilities, according to deputy mayor Raquel Gil on Tuesday. The city council is now preparing for the next phase of the operation.
From Wednesday, residents of Barcelona who do not have municipal registration, known as the padró or empadronament in Catalan, will be able to start the necessary procedures at Fira de Montjuïc. This marks an expansion of the service, which previously focused on those already registered.
Gil explained that 24,000 vulnerability reports, which are essential for the regularisation process, have been submitted. More than 10,000 of these reports were made using a link the City Council sent to individuals already in the assistance systems.
Expanding Access and Support
Starting next week, the certificate needed to obtain the regularisation file will be processed online, aiming to make the procedure more accessible. The deputy mayor described the current data as "good," indicating positive progress in the initiative.
Support services at Fira de Montjuïc are also being enhanced. The Red Cross is already working alongside city council staff, and specialist lawyers will join them next week to offer further assistance. The Fira area will also see improvements, including better air conditioning, access to toilets, and water facilities, all available from next week.
Fira de Montjuïc will operate Monday to Friday, from 8am to 10pm, to accommodate the expected increase in demand. The City Council provides the crucial vulnerability report documentation for each user, after which individuals must continue the process through Social Security, at Post offices, or online.
This ongoing effort by Barcelona City Council aims to streamline the regularisation process for migrants, ensuring more people can access the necessary support and documentation.
