Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of October 20, 2026, from the Under-Secretariat — Amendment for modification and extension of the Agreement between the State Secretariat for Migration and Spanish Post Office |
|---|---|
| BOE Publication | October 28, 2026 |
| Entry into force | September 23, 2026 |
| Affected parties | Applicants for residence authorizations in Spain and Spanish Post Office as technical service operator |
| Category | Public Sector |
| Total budget | €11,765,475 |
| Agreement validity | Until December 30, 2026 |
| Reference regulation | RD 1155/2024, modified by RD 316/2026, of April 14 |
| Official source | BOE-A-2026-22584 |
Electronic processing of residence authorizations in Spain has new budgetary support: €11,765,475 for Spanish Post Office to continue operating the digital channel for submitting applications until the end of 2026. The amendment, published in the BOE on October 28, 2026, modifies and extends the original agreement signed under the Royal Decree 1155/2024, of November 19, already modified by RD 316/2026, of April 14.
For companies managing foreign workers or immigration advisors, this agreement defines the official channel through which their employees' or clients' authorizations are processed. Understanding its scope and validity is key to planning international hiring processes.
What does this regulation establish?
The amendment modifies and extends the current agreement between the State Secretariat for Migration and Spanish Post Office (Sociedad Estatal Correos y Telégrafos, SA, S.M.E.) for electronic submission of residence authorization requests. The reference legal framework is RD 1155/2024, modified by RD 316/2026.
The key points established by the amendment are:
- Extension of agreement validity until December 30, 2026.
- Total budget set at €11,765,475, financed from the 2026 and 2027 fiscal years.
- Three partial settlements structured over time (see payment table).
- Spanish Post Office acts as technical operator for electronic processing of procedures derived from immigration regulations.
- Entry into force from its registration in the State Electronic Registry of Cooperation Bodies and Instruments, with effects from September 23, 2026.
Payment schedule to Spanish Post Office
| Settlement | Amount | Maximum deadline | Fiscal year |
|---|---|---|---|
| First partial settlement | Up to €10,404,712 | September 30, 2026 | 2026 |
| Second partial settlement | €910,763 | November 30, 2026 | 2026 |
| Final settlement | Remainder up to €11,765,475 | 2027 | 2027 |
The amendment enters into force upon its registration in the State Electronic Registry of Cooperation Bodies and Instruments, with retroactive effects from September 23, 2026.
Economic and operational impact
The amount of €11.7 million reflects the volume of residence authorization requests processed electronically through Spanish Post Office. This agreement ensures operational continuity of the channel until year-end, preventing interruptions in processing.
From an operational perspective, the amendment introduces no changes in the procedure for applicants: Spanish Post Office's electronic channel remains the usual submission point. What changes is the contractual and budgetary basis that supports it.
For companies managing residence authorizations for foreign workers, service continuity until December 30, 2026 provides certainty about the available channel for their procedures throughout the fiscal year.
Who does it affect?
- Companies with foreign workers that need to process or renew residence and work authorizations in Spain.
- Immigration management firms and law offices that submit applications on behalf of their clients through Spanish Post Office's electronic channel.
- HR departments of companies with international staff managing work permits.
- Individual applicants for residence authorizations in Spain.
- Spanish Post Office as technical provider and operator of the electronic service, receiving the public funding established in the amendment.
- Public Administration: the State Secretariat for Migration as contracting party and agreement supervisor.
Practical example
A construction company based in Madrid needs to process residence and work authorizations for 15 foreign workers during the last quarter of 2026. Thanks to the signed amendment, Spanish Post Office's electronic channel for submitting these applications will be operational and contractually backed until December 30, 2026.
The HR department can plan with certainty the submission of files through that channel, knowing the service will not suffer interruptions due to lack of contractual or budgetary coverage during that period. The first major payment to Spanish Post Office—up to €10,404,712—was to be paid before September 30, 2026, ensuring system operability from early autumn.
What should companies do now?
- Verify the current processing channel: confirm that residence authorization applications for your workers are submitted through Spanish Post Office's electronic channel enabled under RD 1155/2024 and RD 316/2026.
- Plan procedures before December 30, 2026: the agreement's validity ends on that date. Any application that must be submitted through this channel must be done before that deadline.
- Coordinate with immigration management firm or advisor: ensure that external professionals managing the files are aware of the agreement's validity and operational deadlines.
- Stay alert for agreement renewal for 2027: the final payment will be made in 2027, suggesting there could be service continuity beyond December 2026. Monitor regulatory updates to anticipate channel or procedure changes.
- Review pending files: if there are authorizations in progress or about to expire, prioritize their processing before the period covered by this amendment closes.
Frequently asked questions
How much money does Spanish Post Office receive for managing residence authorizations in 2026?
The total budget set in the amendment is €11,765,475, distributed between fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The first partial payment amounts to up to €10,404,712 (before September 30, 2026), the second to €910,763 (before November 30, 2026), and the remainder is paid in 2027.
Until when is the agreement between Migration and Spanish Post Office valid for processing authorizations?
The amendment extends the agreement until December 30, 2026. Entry into force occurred on September 23, 2026, following its registration in the State Electronic Registry of Cooperation Bodies and Instruments.
What regulation governs electronic processing of residence authorizations through Spanish Post Office?
The regulatory framework is Royal Decree 1155/2024, of November 19, modified by Royal Decree 316/2026, of April 14. The amendment published on October 28, 2026 (BOE-A-2026-22584) modifies and extends the operational agreement between the State Secretariat for Migration and Spanish Post Office.
Does this amendment change the procedure for requesting residence authorizations?
No. The amendment does not modify the application submission procedure for citizens or companies. Its purpose is to renew the contractual and budgetary basis that allows Spanish Post Office to continue operating the electronic channel. The processing procedure remains the same as established by RD 1155/2024 and RD 316/2026.
What happens if I need to process residence authorizations after December 30, 2026?
The amendment covers until December 30, 2026. The fact that part of the payment to Spanish Post Office is made in 2027 suggests there could be service continuity, but this is not confirmed in the published data. It is recommended to monitor regulatory updates from the State Secretariat for Migration to learn about the available channel from January 2027 onwards.
Official source
View complete regulation at official source (BOE-A-2026-22584)
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-22584
