Arraigo is a temporary residence permit on exceptional grounds for foreign nationals who are already in Spain and have ties to the place where they live, whether economic, social, family, employment or training ties. The current Immigration Regulations (Royal Decree 1155/2024) distinguish five types and, except for family arraigo, generally require two years of continuous stay in Spain.
In brief
- Five types: second chance, social-employment, social, social-training and family.
- Common requirement: two years of continuous stay in Spain (not required for family arraigo) and no criminal record.
- Duration: one year; family arraigo, five.
- It allows you to work as an employee or self-employed; social-training arraigo, as an employee for up to 30 hours a week.
- It is applied for in person, without a visa, at the Immigration Office.
The requirements shared by all types
Under Article 126 of the Regulations , all of the following are required:
- Being in Spain and not being an applicant for international protection when applying or while the application is processed.
- Having stayed in Spain continuously for at least the previous two years. Time spent as an applicant for international protection does not count. Family arraigo has no minimum stay.
- Not being a threat to public order, public security or public health.
- Having no criminal record in Spain or in the countries of residence during the five years before entering Spain.
- Not being listed as inadmissible in the territory of countries with which Spain has an agreement to that effect, and not being within a period of undertaking not to return.
- Paying the fee.
- Not holding a stay or residence permit and not having a pending procedure to obtain, extend, renew or modify one (requirement added by Royal Decree 316/2026, of 14 April).
Requirements for each type of arraigo
Each type also has its own requirements (Article 127):
- Second chance: having held a residence permit (not granted on exceptional grounds) in the two years immediately before, which was not renewed for reasons other than public order, public security or public health.
- Social-employment: one or more employment contracts that guarantee at least the national minimum wage or the wage set by the collective agreement, in proportion to the working hours, and that add up to at least twenty hours a week. Several contracts are accepted for seasonal work or with several employers at the same time.
- Social: family ties (spouse or registered partner and first-degree relatives in the direct line) with foreign nationals who hold a residence permit, and financial means of at least 100% of the IPREM. Without those ties, the effort to integrate is assessed, shown by a favourable report from the Autonomous Community or the town council.
- Social-training: being enrolled in or taking one of the courses provided for in the Regulations, or committing to a training course of the Public Employment Services, plus the integration report. Enrolment is proved within the three months following the grant.
- Family: being the father, mother or guardian of a minor who is a national of another European Union State, the European Economic Area or Switzerland, or providing support to a person with a disability of that nationality, on the terms set out in the Regulations.
How to apply
The permit does not require a visa and must be applied for in person by the foreign national before the competent authority, except for minors or persons with disabilities who need support (Article 130). The application includes, among other documents, a full copy of the valid passport, the employment contract where required and the criminal record certificate from the countries of residence during the five years before entering Spain.
If documents are missing, the Immigration Office gives up to fifteen days to correct the application; otherwise it is closed. In social-employment arraigo, once the application has been admitted for processing, the person is provisionally allowed to live and work as an employee until the decision (Article 130.5).
The authorities have three months to notify the decision; after that period, the application may be deemed refused (first additional provision of Organic Law 4/2000). Once the permit is granted, you have one month to apply for the foreigner identity card and, in social-employment arraigo, the permit only takes effect if you are registered with Social Security within one month.
Duration and work permit
The arraigo permit lasts one year, except family arraigo, which lasts five (Article 125.2). It includes permission to work as an employee or self-employed anywhere in Spain and in any occupation, with two exceptions: people below the minimum working age, and social-training arraigo, which allows working as an employee for a maximum of thirty hours a week (Article 131).
To continue afterwards, the permit is extended or changed to another permit according to the requirements of the Regulations; it is best to prepare this in good time. The extraordinary arraigo route of the 20th and 21st additional provisions of the Regulations, for people who were in Spain before 1 January 2026, accepted applications until 30 June 2026.
How we help you
We study which type of arraigo fits your situation, review the evidence of your stay, prepare the application and support you until you receive your card. We see you at our Barcelona office or by video call. You can book your first consultation or learn about our service for arraigo.
Legislation
- Royal Decree 1155/2024, of 19 November, Regulations of Organic Law 4/2000 (Articles 124 to 131 and 20th and 21st additional provisions), amended by Royal Decree 316/2026, of 14 April.
- Organic Law 4/2000, of 11 January, on the rights and freedoms of foreign nationals in Spain (Article 31.3 and first additional provision).
This article is for information only and is not a substitute for advice on your specific case.