A residence permit in Spain based on arraigo is a unique legal mechanism designed to regularize the status of foreign nationals who have lived in the country for an extended period without proper authorization but have successfully integrated into the local community.
The right to obtain a residence permit through arraigo is granted to individuals who demonstrate strong social, family, professional, or educational ties to Spain.
Key points to understand:
- Arraigo facilitates the regularization of foreign nationals lacking official residence permits.
- There are several types of arraigo, each reflecting different forms of integration or ties to Spain.
The new Immigration Regulation, enacted by Royal Decree No. 1155/2024 and effective since May 20, 2025, introduced important changes to the categories of arraigo and their respective requirements.
Currently, five types of arraigo are recognized: family, social, socio-labour, socio-educational, and second-chance.
Generally, applicants must demonstrate continuous residence in Spain for at least two years, except for family arraigo, which does not require a minimum residence period.
Obtaining temporary residence through arraigo grants the holder the right to work freely across Spain, either as an employee or self-employed individual.
Applications must be submitted in person to the immigration authorities. Upon approval, applicants must provide fingerprints to the immigration police and apply for their residence card.
Types of Arraigo and Their Key Features
Spanish law identifies five distinct types of arraigo that enable foreign nationals to regularize their status based on significant social, labor, or family connections:
- Family Arraigo (Arraigo familiar): This category is based on close family ties with Spanish or EU citizens, such as parents, children, or spouses living together. It is exclusively available to relatives of Spanish or EU nationals and does not extend to family members of non-EU citizens.
- Social Arraigo (Arraigo social): Granted to individuals actively integrating into Spanish society with stable social connections. There are three pathways to qualify:
- Having a direct relative with a residence permit in Spain and a Spanish bank account with financial means amounting to at least 200% of the IPREM for 12 months.
- Holding a Spanish bank account with at least 100% of the IPREM for 12 months, equivalent to 7,200 euros.
- Presenting a viable business plan along with sufficient funds to finance it.
- Socio-Labour Arraigo (Arraigo sociolaboral): This type combines social integration with employment. Applicants must have an employment contract with a minimum of 20 working hours per week. Unlike social arraigo, no prior work experience or social integration report is required, nor is proof of funds in a Spanish bank account. The employer must have no outstanding tax or social security debts.
- Socio-Educational Arraigo (Arraigo socioformativo): Designed for individuals engaged in vocational retraining, studying at authorized institutions, or participating in courses organized by the employment service.
- Second-Chance Arraigo (Arraigo de segunda oportunidad): Intended for former residents who lost their residence status due to circumstances beyond their control. Applications must be submitted within two years of the non-renewal or loss of the previous permit.
General Eligibility Requirements for Arraigo
According to Article 126 of the Immigration Regulation, all applicants must meet the following conditions:
- Be present in Spain without proper residence authorization and not have an active application for international protection or asylum.
- Have resided continuously in Spain for at least two years prior to the application, except for family arraigo, where this requirement does not apply.
- Pose no threat to public safety, health, or public order.
- Have no criminal record in the last five years.
- Pay the applicable application fee.
- Applications can be submitted even if the applicant currently holds legal status.
Application Process for Arraigo
Applications must be submitted in person to the immigration authorities. For minors or legally incapacitated individuals, a legal representative must file the application on their behalf.
If any required documents are missing, authorities grant a 10-day period to rectify the deficiencies; failure to comply results in application rejection.
Post-Approval Steps
Upon approval, applicants receive a temporary residence permit valid for one year, which can be extended up to four years later (or five years immediately in the case of family arraigo).
Permit holders have unrestricted rights to work anywhere in Spain, either as employees or self-employed professionals.
If employed, the employer must register the employee with Social Security within one month of notification of the permit grant. The applicant must also apply in person for the foreigner identity card (TIE) within the same timeframe.
Professional Assistance with Arraigo Applications
Legal experts specializing in immigration can assist applicants in obtaining any type of residence permit based on arraigo. They provide tailored case evaluations to determine the most suitable arraigo category, handle document collection, complete application forms, pay fees, and submit applications. They also monitor application status closely and respond promptly to any additional document requests from authorities.