Exceptional Circumstances Route (Arraigo)

Arraigo in Spain 2026: Requirements, Work Rights and the Five Legal Routes

Arraigo is one of Spain’s most important legal pathways for non-EU citizens who have developed meaningful ties to the country but do not currently hold a valid residence authorization.

The word arraigo can be translated as “roots,” “attachment” or “anchorage.” In Spanish immigration law, it refers to several exceptional-circumstances residence permits based on a person’s established social, employment, educational, family or previous legal ties to Spain.

Unlike most Spanish visas, Arraigo is requested from inside Spain.

An applicant does not normally need to return to their country of origin and complete a consular visa procedure. Instead, the person submits evidence to the Spanish Immigration Office showing that they satisfy the conditions of one specific Arraigo category.

Spain reorganized the Arraigo framework through the Immigration Regulations that took effect on May 20, 2025. Further changes were introduced in 2026.

The five current permanent Arraigo routes are:

1. Arraigo de Segunda Oportunidad
2. Arraigo Sociolaboral
3. Arraigo Social
4. Arraigo Socioformativo
5. Arraigo Familiar

Most of these procedures use Modelo EX-10. Applicants can review the complete EX-10 Spain: Arraigo and Exceptional Residence explanation before preparing the application.

What Is Arraigo in Spain?

Arraigo is a temporary residence authorization granted because of exceptional circumstances.

It is primarily designed for people who are already in Spain and can demonstrate sufficiently strong links to the country.

Depending on the category, those links may be based on:

• Continuous residence in Spain
• A qualifying employment contract
• Family relationships
• Social integration
• Financial support
• Self-employment plans
• Recognized education or vocational training
• A previous Spanish residence authorization
• Responsibility for an EU citizen child or dependent person

Most Arraigo applications require at least two years of continuous presence in Spain.

Arraigo Familiar is the main exception. It does not require a minimum period of previous residence.

Most Arraigo authorizations are valid for one year, while Arraigo Familiar is normally granted for five years.

Who Can Apply for Arraigo?

The applicant generally must be a non-EU citizen who is physically present in Spain.

The common requirements include:

• Not being an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen
• Being in Spain when the application is submitted
• Not holding a current residence or stay authorization
• Not having another residence, renewal or modification application pending
• Not being an active applicant for international protection
• Having no disqualifying criminal record
• Not being subject to a current commitment not to return to Spain
• Paying the applicable government fee
• Meeting the specific requirements of one Arraigo category

For most categories, the applicant must also demonstrate at least two years of continuous residence in Spain immediately before applying.

Time spent in Spain while an international-protection application was being processed generally does not count toward the standard two-year Arraigo period until that protection procedure has been finally resolved.

The Five Types of Arraigo in Spain

1. Arraigo Social

Arraigo Social is intended for applicants who can demonstrate social or family roots in Spain together with sufficient financial resources.

The applicant must normally have lived continuously in Spain for at least two years.

There are two principal ways to demonstrate the required connection.

Option A: Family Ties with Legal Residents

The applicant may rely on qualifying family relationships with foreign nationals who hold legal residence in Spain.

Recognized relationships include:

• A spouse
• A registered partner
• Parents
• Children

The family link must be direct and normally limited to a spouse, registered partner or first-degree relatives.

The applicant must also demonstrate financial resources equal to at least 100% of the IPREM.

These resources must be available in Spain and may come from the qualifying resident family member.

Applicants whose relatives are already Spanish residents should not confuse Arraigo Social with ordinary family reunification in Spain, which is a different immigration procedure with its own eligibility rules.

Option B: Social Integration Report

When the applicant does not have the required family relationship, they must normally obtain a favourable Informe de Integración Social.

The report is issued by the competent autonomous community or, where responsibility has been delegated, the local town hall.

The integration assessment may consider:

• Length of residence at the habitual address
• Participation in social or employment-integration programs
• Cultural integration
• Knowledge of Spain’s official languages
• Community connections
• Available financial resources
• Other evidence of genuine integration

The report should normally be issued within one month of the request.

A social integration report is therefore not always mandatory for Arraigo Social. An applicant who proves the required family ties can use that relationship instead.

Is an Employment Contract Required?

No.

The reformed Arraigo Social route does not require every applicant to present an employment contract.

Financial resources may come from:

• A qualifying resident family member
• Personal resources available in Spain
• A self-employment project that satisfies the relevant requirements

Applicants relying on a self-employment project should carefully distinguish this route from the standard Spain Self-Employed Visa — Cuenta Propia.

This makes Arraigo Social potentially suitable for people who have strong family or integration ties but do not yet have a standard employment offer.

Work Rights

Once granted, Arraigo Social generally authorizes both:

• Employment
• Self-employment

The work authorization is not limited to one occupation or province.

Validity

The initial authorization is normally valid for one year.

2. Arraigo Sociolaboral

Arraigo Sociolaboral is designed for people who have lived in Spain for at least two years and have one or more qualifying job offers.

It replaced part of the function previously associated with older employment-based Arraigo routes.

Employment Contract Requirements

The applicant may submit one contract or several contracts.

Together, the contracts must provide:

• At least 20 working hours per week in total
• Salary equal to at least the applicable minimum wage or collective-agreement salary
• Remuneration proportionate to the working hours
• Genuine and sustainable employment
• An employer capable of meeting the contractual obligations

Several contracts may be accepted when the applicant:

• Works part-time for more than one employer
• Performs different occupations simultaneously
• Has seasonal contracts with different employers
• Presents consecutive contracts connected to seasonal activities

The employer must generally be registered and current with Spanish tax and Social Security obligations.

The employer must also demonstrate sufficient resources to maintain the offered position.

Applicants should not confuse Arraigo Sociolaboral with a conventional Spanish Work Permit Visa. The standard work-permit route is generally designed for applicants obtaining employment authorization through an employer-sponsored immigration procedure, while Arraigo Sociolaboral is an exceptional-circumstances route for qualifying people already living in Spain.

Is a Social Integration Report Required?

No.

Arraigo Sociolaboral is based on the employment relationship. A separate social integration report is not normally required.

Provisional Work Authorization

Following the 2026 reform, an applicant for Arraigo Sociolaboral may receive provisional authorization to reside and work as an employee once the application is formally admitted for processing.

If the final application is approved, the applicant must be registered with Spanish Social Security within one month for the authorization to become fully effective.

Validity

The permit is normally granted for one year.

At the end of that period, the holder may seek a modification to an ordinary residence-and-work authorization or apply for an extension when the applicable conditions are met.

Planning for the next immigration step should begin well before expiration. See Residence Permit Renewal in Spain for broader information about renewal deadlines and document preparation.

3. Arraigo Socioformativo

Arraigo Socioformativo combines residence, integration and education or vocational training.

It is intended for applicants who have lived continuously in Spain for at least two years and are enrolled in, attending or formally committed to completing qualifying education or training.

Qualifying Education and Training

The route may cover:

• Authorized post-compulsory secondary education
• Certain recognized vocational-training programs
• Professional certification programs
• Adult compulsory-education programs delivered in person
• Training promoted by Spain’s Public Employment Services
• Programs connected to occupations included in relevant shortage catalogues

Not every private course or online program qualifies.

Before paying tuition, applicants should confirm that the institution and program satisfy the immigration requirements.

Social Integration Report

Unlike Arraigo Sociolaboral, Arraigo Socioformativo normally requires a favourable social integration report.

The report is issued by the competent autonomous community or authorized municipality.

Maintaining accurate empadronamiento in Spain can be particularly useful because municipal residence records may form part of the applicant’s broader evidence of life and integration in Spain.

Proof of Enrolment

Depending on the training schedule, the applicant may:

• Already be enrolled when applying
• Be actively attending the program
• Formally commit to enrol when the official enrolment period opens

When the authorization is approved based on a commitment to enrol, proof of enrolment must generally be provided to the Immigration Office within three months of the approval notification.

Failure to provide the required proof can result in termination of the authorization.

Work Rights

Arraigo Socioformativo permits employment for a maximum of 30 hours per week.

The employment must:

• Be carried out as an employee
• Comply with the applicable minimum wage or collective agreement
• Be remunerated proportionally to the working hours

The 30-hour limit replaces the older and frequently repeated claim that holders may work only 20 hours per week.

After Completing the Training

The holder may later seek to modify the authorization into an ordinary residence-and-work permit when the applicable employment and immigration conditions are satisfied.

Validity

The initial authorization is normally valid for one year.

An extension may be possible when:

• The student advances to the second year of an eligible program
• The education centre confirms satisfactory progress
• The course has been completed and the applicant is registered as actively seeking work

4. Arraigo Familiar

Arraigo Familiar changed significantly under the Immigration Regulations that took effect in May 2025.

Many relatives of Spanish citizens who previously used Arraigo Familiar now apply through the separate residence authorization for family members of Spanish citizens.

The current Arraigo Familiar category is therefore more limited.

Who Can Qualify?

It may apply to the following situations.

Parent or Guardian of an EU, EEA or Swiss Minor

The applicant must be the parent or legal guardian of a minor citizen of:

• Another EU Member State
• The European Economic Area
• Switzerland

The applicant must normally prove that they:

• Live in Spain
• Have the child in their care
• Live with the child, or
• Are current with their legal parental obligations

Family Member Supporting a Disabled EU, EEA or Swiss Citizen

The route may also apply to a family member who provides necessary support to an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen with a disability or who requires support to exercise their legal capacity.

The applicant must generally prove:

• The family relationship
• The EU citizen’s disability or need for support
• That the applicant is responsible for the person
• That they live together

What About Parents of Spanish Children?

Parents and other qualifying relatives of Spanish citizens now generally use the separate residence authorization for family members of Spanish citizens rather than the current Arraigo Familiar route.

That application generally uses EX-24 for Family Members of Spanish Citizens.

Selecting the correct category is essential because the forms, eligible relatives and procedures differ.

Minimum Residence Period

Arraigo Familiar does not require two years of previous residence in Spain.

Work Rights

The permit generally authorizes employment and self-employment throughout Spain.

Validity

Arraigo Familiar is normally granted for five years.

5. Arraigo de Segunda Oportunidad

Arraigo de Segunda Oportunidad, or Second-Chance Arraigo, is intended for people who previously held legal Spanish residence but later lost that status.

It provides a possible route back into legal residence without requiring the applicant to leave Spain and begin a new consular visa procedure.

Previous Residence Requirement

The applicant must have held a Spanish residence authorization during the two years immediately before submitting the application.

The previous authorization must not have been granted through exceptional circumstances.

The previous permit must have failed to renew for reasons other than:

• Public order
• Public security
• Public health

The route may also be available in certain cases where the issue that prevented renewal ended in acquittal, dismissal or another favourable judicial outcome.

Applicants who still hold valid residence and are approaching its expiration should normally investigate Spanish residence permit renewal before allowing their status to lapse.

Two-Year Presence Requirement

Because the general Arraigo conditions apply, the applicant must normally also demonstrate at least two years of continuous presence in Spain.

Is Six Months of Social Security Required?

No.

The current Second-Chance Arraigo rules do not establish a general requirement that the applicant must have contributed to Spanish Social Security for at least six months.

The essential requirement is the previous qualifying residence authorization and the circumstances in which it was lost.

Work Rights

Once approved, the authorization generally permits:

• Employment
• Self-employment
• Work throughout Spain

Validity

The initial authorization is normally valid for one year.

Comparing the Five Arraigo Routes

Arraigo category	Minimum stay	Main requirement	Work rights	Initial validity
Arraigo Social	Two years	Family ties and resources, or favourable integration report	Employment and self-employment	One year
Arraigo Sociolaboral	Two years	One or more contracts totalling at least 20 hours per week	Employment and self-employment after approval	One year
Arraigo Socioformativo	Two years	Qualifying study or training plus integration report	Employment only, up to 30 hours weekly	One year
Arraigo Familiar	No minimum	Qualifying relationship with EU, EEA or Swiss minor or dependent person	Employment and self-employment	Five years
Segunda Oportunidad	Two years	Previous qualifying residence permit lost within the preceding two years	Employment and self-employment	One year

Proof of Continuous Residence in Spain

For the four Arraigo routes requiring two years of residence, the applicant must create a convincing documentary timeline.

One padrón certificate is not always enough.

The strongest files contain evidence distributed throughout the entire required period.

Useful documents may include:

• Historical empadronamiento certificates
• Public healthcare appointments
• Hospital records
• Municipal documents
• Regional-government correspondence
• School or training records
• Social-services records
• Bank transactions made in Spain
• Money-transfer receipts
• Public transport records
• NGO assistance certificates
• Rental contracts
• Utility records
• Registered postal correspondence
• Administrative applications
• Police or court documents

Documents issued or registered by Spanish public authorities are generally particularly useful.

The records should clearly identify:

• The applicant’s full name
• The date
• The Spanish location
• The issuing institution

Applicants should disclose travel outside Spain and carefully consider how any absences could affect the continuity requirement.

Do not wait until the final month before applying to reconstruct two years of residence evidence.

Why Empadronamiento Is Important for Arraigo

Empadronamiento is municipal registration showing where a person lives in Spain.

For Arraigo applicants, historical padrón records can become an important part of the continuous-presence file.

However, padrón registration alone does not automatically prove every day of the required residence period.

A stronger application may combine padrón history with:

• Medical appointments
• Banking activity
• Municipal correspondence
• Education records
• Rental documents
• Social-service records
• Other dated evidence

The objective is to create a continuous and credible timeline showing that Spain has genuinely been the applicant’s place of residence.

Criminal Record Requirements

Adult applicants normally need a criminal-record certificate issued by the country or countries where they lived during the five years before entering Spain.

The Spanish Immigration Office will generally check Spanish criminal records directly.

A foreign criminal-record certificate may require:

1. A Hague Apostille or diplomatic legalization
2. An official Spanish translation
3. Submission within the applicable validity period

A new foreign certificate may not be required when the applicant:

• Has lived continuously in Spain during the previous five years, or
• Already submitted the required certificate in another Spanish application during the preceding five years and has not left Spain since

The Immigration Office examines public-order and security issues individually.

Foreign documents should be prepared carefully. The Newcomer.es Documents Needed to Move to Spain overview explains common requirements involving criminal records, civil-status certificates, apostilles and document validity.

Complete Arraigo Document Checklist

The exact documents depend on the selected category.

A typical application may include the following.

General Documents

• Completed EX-10 application form
• Complete valid passport copy
• Evidence of continuous residence
• Criminal-record certificate
• Apostille or legalization
• Sworn Spanish translation
• Government-fee receipt
• Proof of current address

Arraigo Social Documents

• Family relationship certificates, where applicable
• Relative’s TIE or residence authorization
• Proof of financial resources
• Bank statements
• Social integration report when required
• Self-employment plan and supporting documents, where applicable

Arraigo Sociolaboral Documents

• Signed employment contract or contracts
• Employer identification
• Company tax records
• Social Security compliance
• Evidence of employer solvency
• Job and salary information

Arraigo Socioformativo Documents

• Social integration report
• Enrolment certificate
• Training commitment
• Institution authorization
• Course information
• Later proof of enrolment where required

Arraigo Familiar Documents

• Child’s birth certificate
• Evidence of EU, EEA or Swiss nationality
• Guardianship documents
• Evidence of custody or parental compliance
• Disability or dependency documents
• Evidence of cohabitation

Second-Chance Arraigo Documents

• Previous residence authorization
• Previous TIE
• Renewal decision
• Evidence explaining why renewal did not occur
• Court decisions where relevant
• Previous immigration records

Apostilles and Sworn Translations

Foreign public documents usually need to be legally valid for use in Spain.

Depending on the country of issue, this may require:

• A Hague Apostille
• Diplomatic legalization
• No legalization where an international agreement provides an exemption

Documents not issued in Spanish may need an official translation completed by a sworn translator.

The recommended order is:

1. Obtain the original document
2. Check names and dates carefully
3. Obtain the apostille or legalization
4. Translate the complete document, including the apostille

Do not assume that an ordinary translation completed abroad will automatically be accepted by the Spanish Immigration Office.

Applicants who need immigration documents translated can review Translation Services in Spain.

How to Apply for Arraigo

Step 1: Select the Correct Category

The application must be based on one specific legal route.

A job offer does not necessarily mean Arraigo Social. It may point to Arraigo Sociolaboral.

A person completing training may need Arraigo Socioformativo.

A relative of a Spanish citizen may need EX-24 residence for family members of Spanish citizens rather than Arraigo Familiar.

Selecting the category before preparing the file avoids wasting time on documents that do not correspond to the actual application.

Step 2: Build the Residence Timeline

Collect evidence covering the complete two-year period where required.

Identify gaps early and locate additional documents that can prove your physical presence.

Historical padrón records can be especially useful when combined with other dated evidence.

Step 3: Obtain Foreign Documents

Request criminal-record and civil-status certificates.

Arrange apostilles, legalization and sworn translations before the documents expire.

Applicants can use the Newcomer.es document checklist to organize foreign documents before submission.

Step 4: Obtain the Category-Specific Evidence

Depending on the route, this may mean:

• Signing an employment contract
• Requesting an integration report
• Enrolling in a qualifying training program
• Preparing financial evidence
• Collecting family documents
• Obtaining previous immigration decisions

Step 5: Complete Form EX-10

All five standard Arraigo routes generally use Form EX-10.

See the complete EX-10 Spain application guide for information about the form, documents and exceptional-circumstances procedures.

Choose the correct category on the form and make sure the information matches the supporting documents.

Names, addresses, passport information and immigration history should remain consistent throughout the application.

Step 6: Submit the Application

An Arraigo application may normally be submitted:

• In person at the competent Immigration Office
• Electronically through the Mercurio platform
• Through an authorized representative

A lawyer, registered representative or qualified professional may file electronically when properly authorized.

Applicants completing Spanish government procedures online may also find the Digital Certificate in Spain useful for other administrative procedures.

Arraigo does not require a consular visa because the applicant is already in Spain.

Step 7: Pay the Government Fee

The applicable fee is generally paid using Modelo 790, Code 052.

The payment should be completed within the deadline stated for the procedure.

Government fees can change, so applicants should verify the applicable amount when preparing the application.

Step 8: Monitor Notifications

Electronic notifications can contain:

• Requests for additional documents
• Deadlines for correction
• Approval decisions
• Refusal decisions
• Instructions concerning Social Security registration

Failing to open or answer an electronic notification can put the application at risk.

Applicants should preserve copies of:

• Submission receipts
• Government-fee receipts
• Documents uploaded
• Official notifications
• Responses to requests
• Final decisions

Step 9: Obtain the TIE

After receiving a favourable decision, the applicant must normally request the Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero, or TIE, within one month.

The fingerprint appointment generally requires:

• Passport
• Approval resolution
• TIE application form
• Government-fee receipt
• Passport photographs
• Address documentation where requested
• Social Security registration when the authorization depends on employment

The physical residence-card procedure generally uses Form EX-17.

Applicants can also review the full TIE Card Spain explanation before attending the fingerprint appointment.

Arraigo Processing Time

The official maximum processing period for standard Arraigo applications is generally three months from the day after the application enters the competent authority’s register.

If no decision is issued within that period, the application may normally be treated as refused through negative administrative silence.

A request for additional documents can affect the practical timeline.

Applicants should monitor:

• Electronic notifications
• Postal notifications
• Immigration-file status
• Requests from the Immigration Office
• The official notification board where applicable

A delay does not mean that applicants should ignore the file.

Missing a request for additional evidence can be more damaging than the administrative delay itself.

Work Rights After Arraigo Approval

Most Arraigo authorizations permit both employment and self-employment throughout Spain.

The main exception is Arraigo Socioformativo, which permits only employed work for a maximum of 30 hours per week.

Authorization	Employment	Self-employment
Arraigo Social	Yes	Yes
Arraigo Sociolaboral	Yes	Yes
Arraigo Socioformativo	Yes, maximum 30 hours weekly	No
Arraigo Familiar	Yes	Yes
Segunda Oportunidad	Yes	Yes

For Arraigo Sociolaboral, final effectiveness may depend on registration with Spanish Social Security within one month of approval.

Receiving immigration approval should therefore be followed immediately by the registrations required for the particular Arraigo category.

Renewal or Modification After the First Year

Most Arraigo permits are valid for one year.

Before that year ends, the holder should determine whether to:

• Modify to an ordinary employed-worker permit
• Modify to a self-employment permit
• Extend the Arraigo authorization
• Apply through another qualifying residence category

Extensions for Arraigo Social, Sociolaboral and Second Chance may require evidence relating to employment or active job seeking under the applicable rules.

Arraigo Socioformativo extensions depend on progress or completion of the training.

Applications should generally be submitted:

• During the two months before expiration
• Or during the three months after expiration, although late submission may create a risk of sanctions

Early planning is essential because obtaining a contract, Social Security registration, training certificate or other required evidence can take time.

See Residence Permit Renewal in Spain: When to Apply and How to Prepare for broader renewal planning.

The 2026 Extraordinary Regularization: Deadline Closed

Spain introduced a temporary extraordinary regularization process in 2026.

This was separate from the permanent five Arraigo categories.

The temporary process covered certain people who:

• Were already in Spain before January 1, 2026
• Could demonstrate five months of continuous presence
• Satisfied the criminal-record and public-order requirements
• Met the conditions for the applicable extraordinary category

For the general extraordinary route, applicants also generally needed to demonstrate one of the following:

• Employment or a genuine intention to work
• Residence with a qualifying family unit
• A recognized situation of vulnerability

A separate temporary route was created for certain people who had applied for international protection before January 1, 2026.

Can New Applications Still Be Submitted?

No.

The application deadline was June 30, 2026.

The extraordinary regularization window is therefore closed to new applicants.

People who did not submit an application by the deadline must evaluate the permanent Arraigo categories or another immigration pathway.

New applicants should not pay anyone who claims they can still submit a new application through the closed 2026 extraordinary regularization procedure.

What Happens to Applications Already Submitted?

Applicants who submitted on time may still have applications under consideration.

Once formal processing began, qualifying applicants received provisional permission to reside and work while waiting for a decision.

The maximum decision period was generally three months, although the procedure could be suspended when additional information or criminal-record checks were required.

A successful extraordinary authorization is generally valid for one year and authorizes employment and self-employment throughout Spain.

Does Arraigo Count Toward Permanent Residence?

Once Arraigo has been granted and legal residence begins, qualifying residence time may contribute toward future permanent or long-term residence in Spain.

Spanish long-term residence is generally associated with five years of qualifying legal and continuous residence.

However, time spent in Spain before Arraigo approval while a person did not hold qualifying legal residence should not automatically be confused with the legal residence period used for long-term-residence calculations.

This distinction is important.

For example:

Two years living in Spain before Arraigo approval

does not automatically mean:

Two years of legal residence toward the five-year long-term-residence requirement.

Applicants planning to remain in Spain permanently should protect continuity after obtaining Arraigo by:

• Renewing or modifying residence on time
• Avoiding gaps in legal status
• Keeping TIE records
• Maintaining padrón records
• Monitoring absences from Spain
• Preserving immigration decisions

Can Arraigo Eventually Lead to Spanish Citizenship?

Potentially, yes.

Once an applicant obtains qualifying legal residence, that residence may contribute toward a future Spanish nationality application.

The number of years required depends on nationality and personal circumstances.

The general citizenship-by-residence period is ten years, but reduced periods of five, two or one year apply to certain applicants.

See Spanish Citizenship by Residence 2026 for a detailed explanation of the qualifying residence periods.

Applicants approaching eligibility can also review the Spanish Citizenship Application 2026 process, including documents, exams and post-approval requirements.

The important distinction is again between physical presence in Spain and qualifying legal residence.

Years spent in Spain before obtaining legal residence through Arraigo do not automatically count as legal residence for nationality purposes.

Common Arraigo Application Mistakes

Applying Under the Wrong Category

The five routes are not interchangeable.

Each has different evidence and legal conditions.

Before beginning, determine whether the correct route is Social, Sociolaboral, Socioformativo, Familiar or Segunda Oportunidad.

Assuming All Time in Spain Counts

Time during a pending international-protection procedure generally does not count toward the standard two-year Arraigo period.

The residence timeline should be reviewed carefully before filing.

Using Only a Recent Padrón

A historical paper trail is usually stronger than one recently issued municipal certificate.

Use empadronamiento together with other dated evidence whenever possible.

Submitting an Unqualified Training Course

Not every private, online or informal course satisfies Arraigo Socioformativo.

Confirm eligibility before enrolling and paying tuition.

Using a Contract with Too Few Hours

Arraigo Sociolaboral requires contracts totalling at least 20 working hours per week.

Ignoring Employer Solvency

A signed contract may not be enough if the employer cannot demonstrate tax compliance, Social Security compliance and the ability to pay the salary.

Assuming the Social Integration Report Is Always Required

It is required for Socioformativo and generally for Social Arraigo applicants who do not rely on the specified family ties.

Using the Old Definition of Arraigo Familiar

Most relatives of Spanish citizens now use a separate family residence authorization.

Review EX-24 for Family Members of Spanish Citizens before assuming Arraigo Familiar is still the correct procedure.

Claiming Six Months of Social Security for Second Chance

That is not a general requirement under the current Second-Chance Arraigo rules.

Believing the Extraordinary Window Is Still Open

The 2026 application deadline ended on June 30, 2026.

Missing Apostilles or Translations

Foreign public documents must be prepared in the format required for use in Spain.

Review Documents Needed to Move to Spain and Translation Services in Spain before submitting foreign records.

Ignoring Electronic Notifications

A document request can have a short response deadline.

Missing it can lead to the application being archived or refused.

How Newcomer.es Helps with Arraigo Applications

Arraigo applications require careful coordination of immigration history, evidence of presence, employment, family records, training and foreign documents.

Newcomer.es helps applicants organize the process from initial assessment through TIE issuance.

Applicants who need broader assistance can also review Newcomer.es Immigration Services in Spain.

Eligibility Assessment

We review:

• Immigration history
• Time spent in Spain
• Previous residence permits
• International-protection history
• Employment offers
• Family relationships
• Training plans
• Financial resources
• Criminal-record requirements

Selecting the Correct Arraigo Route

We compare:

• Arraigo Social
• Arraigo Sociolaboral
• Arraigo Socioformativo
• Arraigo Familiar
• Arraigo de Segunda Oportunidad
• Family residence for relatives of Spanish citizens
• Other exceptional-circumstances permits

The objective is to identify the legal category that fits the applicant’s real immigration history rather than trying to make the facts fit the wrong Arraigo route.

Continuous-Presence File

We help organize:

• Historical padrón records
• Healthcare documents
• Municipal evidence
• Financial transactions
• NGO records
• Education documents
• Other dated evidence

The goal is to build a clear chronological record rather than submitting a disconnected collection of documents.

Employment and Employer Documentation

For Arraigo Sociolaboral, assistance may include:

• Contract review
• Working-hours calculations
• Salary review
• Employer-document coordination
• Solvency evidence
• Social Security planning

Integration and Training Support

For Social and Socioformativo applications, we help coordinate:

• Integration reports
• Local authority requirements
• Qualifying education
• Enrolment evidence
• Training commitments

Apostille and Translation Coordination

We help applicants obtain and organize:

• Criminal-record certificates
• Apostilles
• Legalization
• Sworn translations
• Family certificates

Application and Post-Approval Support

Depending on the selected service, support may include:

• EX-10 preparation
• Electronic dossier organization
• Mercurio filing coordination
• Monitoring notifications
• Responding to document requests
• TIE appointments
• Empadronamiento
• Social Security registration
• Employment and tax orientation
• Renewal or modification planning

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Arraigo in Spain?

Arraigo is a group of exceptional-circumstances residence permits for non-EU citizens who are already in Spain and can prove qualifying social, family, employment, educational or previous residence ties.

The standard application normally uses Modelo EX-10.

How Long Must I Live in Spain Before Applying?

Most routes require two years of continuous presence.

Arraigo Familiar does not require a minimum period.

Can Asylum Applicants Apply for Standard Arraigo?

An applicant cannot normally hold active international-protection applicant status when submitting or processing a standard Arraigo application.

Does Time as an Asylum Applicant Count?

Time spent while an international-protection claim was pending generally does not count toward the standard two-year residence requirement.

Do I Need an Employment Contract?

An employment contract is required for Arraigo Sociolaboral.

It is not universally required for Arraigo Social, Socioformativo, Familiar or Second Chance.

How Many Hours Must a Sociolaboral Contract Provide?

One or more contracts must normally provide at least 20 hours of work per week in total.

Can I Work with Arraigo Socioformativo?

Yes.

The authorization permits employed work for up to 30 hours per week.

Is a Social Integration Report Always Required?

No.

It is required for Arraigo Socioformativo.

For Arraigo Social, it is generally required when the applicant does not rely on qualifying family ties with legal residents.

Can Parents of Spanish Children Apply for Arraigo Familiar?

They will generally use the separate residence authorization for family members of Spanish citizens under the current regulations.

See EX-24 Spain for the current family-member procedure.

How Long Is Arraigo Valid?

Most categories are valid for one year.

Arraigo Familiar is normally valid for five years.

Does Arraigo Allow Self-Employment?

Most Arraigo authorizations permit employment and self-employment.

Arraigo Socioformativo permits only employed work and limits it to 30 hours per week.

How Long Does the Application Take?

The official maximum decision period is generally three months.

Must I Leave Spain to Apply?

No.

Arraigo is requested from within Spain and does not normally require a consular visa.

Is the 2026 Extraordinary Regularization Still Open?

No.

The deadline for new applications was June 30, 2026.

What Form Is Used?

The five standard Arraigo applications generally use Form EX-10.

When Do I Apply for the TIE?

The TIE should normally be requested within one month of receiving the favourable residence decision.

The physical card process normally uses EX-17.

Does Arraigo Count Toward Permanent Residence?

Qualifying legal residence after Arraigo approval may count toward future long-term residence in Spain.

Physical presence in Spain before obtaining legal residence should not automatically be treated as qualifying legal residence.

Can Arraigo Lead to Spanish Citizenship?

Potentially.

Once qualifying legal residence begins, that period may count toward nationality by residence.

The required period depends on nationality and individual circumstances.

See Spanish Citizenship by Residence 2026 for the different residence periods.

Regularize Your Residence in Spain with a Clear Strategy

Arraigo can provide a route from irregular immigration status to legal residence and employment in Spain.

However, it is not one universal procedure.

The correct application depends on whether your strongest connection is based on:

• Employment
• Family
• Social integration
• Training
• A previous residence authorization

A successful file must demonstrate not only that you have lived in Spain, but also that you satisfy every requirement of the selected route.

The process normally begins by identifying the correct Arraigo category and preparing EX-10 with a consistent supporting file.

Continuous-presence evidence may include empadronamiento, healthcare records, administrative documents and other dated evidence.

Foreign criminal records and family certificates may require apostilles and sworn Spanish translations.

After approval, the applicant may need to complete Social Security registration and obtain a TIE residence card.

Most importantly, Arraigo should be treated as the beginning of a longer immigration strategy.

After legal residence is established, applicants should plan the next renewal or modification, protect the continuity of their status and, where eligible in the future, prepare for long-term residence and potentially Spanish citizenship.

Newcomer.es helps applicants review their immigration history, select the correct Arraigo route, build the required documentary timeline and coordinate employment, family, training, apostille, translation and post-approval requirements.

For broader assistance, see Immigration Services in Spain.

Contact Newcomer.es to begin assessing your eligibility for Arraigo and preparing your Spanish residence application.