EX-25 Form Spain: Residence and Temporary Stay for Foreign Minors

EX-25 is Spain’s official immigration form for several residence and temporary-displacement procedures involving foreign minors. It covers children born in Spain to foreign residents, children born abroad who already live in Spain with a resident parent or legal guardian, unaccompanied foreign minors, young people leaving the child-protection system, and minors travelling to Spain through qualifying humanitarian programmes.

The current EX-25 is therefore much broader than a simple “residence permit for a child.”

The correct EX-25 route depends on questions such as:

• Was the child born in Spain?
• Was the child born abroad?
• How long has the child lived in Spain?
• Does a parent or legal guardian already have Spanish residence?
• Is the minor under the protection of a Spanish public authority?
• Has the young person recently turned 18?
• Is the child coming temporarily for medical treatment, holidays or schooling?

Spain’s current framework is mainly contained in Title IX of Royal Decree 1155/2024, with an important amendment introduced in 2026 for unaccompanied minors.

To compare EX-25 with the other Spanish immigration forms, see our Spain Immigration Forms: EX-00 to EX-32 guide.

What Is Form EX-25?

The official name of EX-25 is:

Solicitud de residencia temporal y desplazamiento temporal de menores extranjeros

In English:

Application for Temporary Residence and Temporary Displacement of Foreign Minors

The current form covers several procedures under Articles 159 to 174 of Spain’s Immigration Regulation.

It includes:

• initial temporary residence;
• renewal of temporary residence;
• temporary humanitarian displacement;
• extensions of certain humanitarian stays;
• international-adoption cases;
• the Vacaciones en Paz programme.

This makes EX-25 one of Spain’s most multi-purpose immigration forms.

EX-25 at a Glance

Situation	Main Rule
Foreign child born in Spain	Article 159
Child or qualifying disabled dependent born outside Spain	Article 160
Unaccompanied foreign minor	Article 172
Former unaccompanied minor who already had residence	Article 173
Former unaccompanied minor who reached 18 without residence	Article 174
Humanitarian medical treatment	Article 162
Humanitarian holiday programme	Article 163
Humanitarian schooling	Article 164
International adoption	Specific EX-25 option
Vacaciones en Paz	Specific EX-25 option

The same form can therefore be used in cases that have very different legal requirements.

EX-25 for a Foreign Child Born in Spain

Article 159 covers a foreign minor born in Spain whose parent is a foreign national holding a qualifying Spanish residence authorization.

The child must generally:

• have been born in Spain;
• still be a minor when the application is made;
• be unmarried;
• be the biological or adopted child of the foreign resident;
• be in Spain;
• have at least one parent holding a residence authorization under Spain’s Immigration Regulation.

The authorization does not require a visa.

Is a Child Born in Spain Automatically a Spanish Resident?

No.

Birth in Spain does not automatically give a foreign child immigration residence.

The birth must first be properly registered, and the child’s immigration status must then be addressed through the appropriate procedure.

A typical sequence is:

Birth in Spain → Civil Registry registration → Passport or qualifying documentation → EX-25 residence application → Approval → TIE

Spanish nationality is a separate question.

A child born in Spain can potentially have nationality rights depending on the parents’ nationalities and other circumstances, but birth in Spain by itself does not automatically make every child Spanish.

Deadline for a Child Born in Spain

The standard Article 159 application should generally be submitted within:

6 months after the child’s birth.

There is also an important alternative situation.

If the parent only becomes a Spanish resident after the child is born, the application can generally be submitted within:

6 months after the parent obtains residence

provided that:

• the child remains in Spain; and
• the child has not left Spain since birth.

Timing is therefore important.

What Happens If the Six-Month Conditions Are Not Met?

Missing the normal Article 159 conditions does not necessarily mean the child can never obtain residence.

Instead, the procedure can move into rules comparable to family reunification.

If the child:

• was born in Spain; and
• remains in Spain,

a visa is not normally required, but the relevant family-reunification requirements may need to be demonstrated.

If the child is outside Spain, the standard family-reunification procedure can become relevant, including the appropriate visa stage.

For the wider family route, see our EX-02 Family Reunification guide.

Documents for a Child Born in Spain

A standard Article 159 file can include:

• completed EX-25;
• complete valid passport, travel document or Cédula de Inscripción of the child;
• passport or qualifying document of the applying parent;
• Spanish birth certificate;
• evidence of the parent’s residence status;
• school-enrollment evidence where the child is of compulsory school age;
• declaration confirming compliance with compulsory-schooling obligations;
• parental-consent or custody documentation where required;
• applicable fee documentation.

Where the child is currently outside Spain, additional parental authorization requirements can apply.

Which Parent Can Submit EX-25?

A parent who holds a qualifying Spanish residence authorization can submit the Article 159 application.

The procedure can generally be presented:

• in person at the competent Oficina de Extranjería; or
• electronically where the applicant has the appropriate electronic identification.

A properly authorized professional can also handle electronic filing where legally permitted.

For Spanish electronic administration, see our Digital Certificate in Spain guide.

How Long Does Article 159 Take?

The official decision period is generally:

1 month

from the day after the application enters the competent authority’s register.

If no express decision is notified within the statutory period, the standard Article 159 procedure is generally subject to negative administrative silence.

How Long Does Article 159 Residence Last?

The residence authorization is valid for:

5 years from the date of the decision.

This is one of the major improvements under Spain’s current immigration framework.

The child does not receive only a short one-year permit.

Can the Child Work Later?

Yes.

The Article 159 authorization automatically permits:

• employment; and
• self-employment

once the holder reaches Spain’s legal minimum working age.

No separate immigration work-permit application is necessary.

What Happens After Five Years?

After completing the relevant five-year residence period, the person can normally examine eligibility for:

• long-term residence; or
• long-term EU residence,

depending on the applicable conditions.

The correct next step should be checked before the five-year authorization expires.

TIE After Article 159 Approval

Within one month after the residence authorization is granted, the child must complete the physical TIE procedure.

The child attends with the parent or legal representative as required.

For the card process, see our EX-17 TIE Form guide and TIE Card Spain guide.

EX-25 for a Child Not Born in Spain

Article 160 covers a different situation.

It can apply to certain people who were not born in Spain but already live here with a foreign resident parent or legal guardian.

The ordinary categories include:

• unmarried biological children under 18;
• unmarried adopted children under 18;
• certain children of only one spouse or partner;
• minors accompanied by a legally recognized guardian;
• adult children with a disability who cannot objectively provide for their own needs because of their health condition.

The applicant must not have established their own separate family unit.

The Two-Year Rule Under Article 160

The ordinary Article 160 procedure generally requires:

2 years of continuous and uninterrupted presence in Spain immediately before the application.

This is one of the biggest differences between Article 159 and Article 160.

A child born in Spain does not normally need to prove this two-year period under the standard Article 159 route.

A child born abroad normally does under Article 160.

How Do You Prove Two Years in Spain?

Evidence should establish genuine continuous presence.

Useful documents can include:

• historical padrón records;
• school records;
• healthcare records;
• public-authority documents;
• administrative records;
• dated official correspondence;
• other reliable evidence showing presence in Spain.

The evidence should ideally cover the entire period rather than only the beginning and end.

Can Article 160 Be Filed While the Parent’s Residence Is Still Pending?

Yes.

The current rules allow an Article 160 application to be submitted while the parent or legal guardian’s own Spanish residence authorization is still being processed.

This can make it possible to coordinate the family’s immigration procedures rather than unnecessarily waiting for one file to be fully completed before starting the next.

Financial Requirements Under Article 160

The parent or guardian must normally satisfy the economic-resource requirements connected with Spain’s family-reunification framework.

Where minors are involved, Spain provides reduced family-reunification financial thresholds in qualifying cases.

The exact calculation should be checked at the time the application is filed because:

• IPREM can change;
• household size matters;
• the special minor-related reduction may apply.

The application should contain evidence showing sufficient and stable resources.

Housing Requirement Under Article 160

The parent or legal guardian must also normally satisfy the applicable adequate housing requirement used for family reunification.

This can involve:

• a housing report;
• other legally permitted housing evidence;
• documents concerning the family’s accommodation.

The purpose is to demonstrate that suitable housing exists for the child or qualifying dependent.

School Enrollment

Where the minor is of compulsory school age, the application must show that the child is enrolled at an authorized educational centre.

Schooling is not merely an optional supporting document.

It forms part of the current immigration requirements.

Custody When the Child Belongs to One Parent

Where the child is the child of only one spouse or partner, additional rules apply.

The sponsoring parent must normally demonstrate that:

• they have exclusive parental authority or custody; or
• a judicial authority has authorized the child’s relocation to Spain; or
• the other parent has consented where custody is shared.

Custody documentation should be prepared carefully.

Legal Guardians

Article 160 can also apply to an unmarried minor under the legal guardianship of a foreign resident in Spain.

The guardianship relationship must have been created in accordance with Spanish law.

An informal private arrangement is not automatically equivalent to legally recognized guardianship.

Adult Children With Disabilities

Article 160 is not limited strictly to people under 18.

It can also cover a son or daughter with a disability who:

• was not born in Spain;
• cannot objectively provide for their own needs because of their health condition;
• has not established their own family unit;
• satisfies the other requirements.

Medical and disability evidence becomes particularly important in these cases.

Documents for Article 160

A standard application can include:

• completed EX-25;
• complete valid passport, travel document or Cédula de Inscripción;
• identification of the parent or guardian;
• birth certificate;
• adoption documentation where relevant;
• guardianship documentation where relevant;
• proof of two years of continuous presence in Spain;
• school-enrollment documentation where required;
• compulsory-schooling declaration;
• disability documentation where applicable;
• parental-consent or custody documentation;
• proof of economic resources;
• proof of adequate housing;
• applicable fee documentation.

Foreign public documents may need proper translation and legalization.

How Long Does Article 160 Take?

The official decision period is generally:

1 month

from the day after the application enters the competent authority’s register.

The ordinary Article 160 procedure is subject to negative administrative silence if no express decision is notified within the statutory period.

How Long Does Article 160 Residence Last?

A successful Article 160 authorization is valid for:

5 years from the date of the decision.

No visa is required for this in-country residence procedure.

Work Rights Under Article 160

The authorization automatically permits employment and self-employment once the holder reaches the legal minimum working age.

No additional immigration procedure is required simply to activate the work right.

Article 159 vs Article 160

Question	Article 159	Article 160
Born in Spain	Yes	No
EX-25	Yes	Yes
Parent/guardian connected with Spanish residence	Yes	Yes
Two years in Spain required	No	Generally yes
Economic means	Different Article 159 framework	Generally required
Housing requirement	Different Article 159 framework	Generally required
Visa	No	No
Standard validity	5 years	5 years
Work once legal age reached	Yes	Yes
Decision period	1 month	1 month

The place of birth therefore changes the legal route significantly.

Important 2026 Transitional Rule for Certain Already-Filed Cases

Spain introduced special transitional provisions in April 2026 for children and qualifying disabled dependants linked to certain 2026 exceptional regularization procedures.

The filing deadline for those special regularization routes was 30 June 2026, so this is no longer a new application route.

However, it can remain relevant to applications that were filed within that period and are still being processed.

For qualifying Article 159 cases filed under that transitional framework, the ordinary six-month-after-birth requirement could be waived.

For qualifying Article 160 cases, the transitional rules could waive:

• the normal two-year presence requirement;
• the normal economic-means requirement;
• the normal housing requirement,

provided the child had been continuously in Spain for at least five months before the application and the other transitional conditions were satisfied.

Families with applications submitted before the 30 June 2026 deadline should therefore not assume that the ordinary Article 159 or Article 160 rules are the only rules relevant to their pending case.

EX-25 for Unaccompanied Foreign Minors

Article 172 covers menores extranjeros no acompañados — unaccompanied foreign minors.

This is fundamentally different from the family procedures under Articles 159 and 160.

It applies to minors who are under the:

• guardianship;
• custody;
• provisional protection;
• care

of the competent Child Protection Service of a Spanish Autonomous Community.

The child-protection authorities play the central role.

When Does the Article 172 Residence Procedure Begin?

The competent Oficina de Extranjería starts the residence procedure once:

• it has been established that repatriation is not possible; and
• in any event, 90 days have passed since the minor was placed at the disposal of the competent Child Protection Service.

The procedure can begin:

• automatically;
• by superior order;
• at the request of the competent protection service.

The objective is to ensure that the child’s documentation is not indefinitely delayed.

Is an Unaccompanied Minor Considered Legally Resident?

Spanish law provides strong protection to minors under public guardianship or protection.

The 2026 amendment to Article 172 removed the previous regulatory reference that treated expiration of the one-month decision period as negative administrative silence.

The current rule therefore establishes a maximum one-month decision period without reproducing the old negative-silence provision.

This change was specifically introduced to align the Regulation with the statutory protection recognizing the regular situation of minors placed under Spanish public protection.

Documents for an Unaccompanied Minor

The procedure can require:

• EX-25;
• valid passport or travel document;
• Cédula de Inscripción where appropriate;
• documentation establishing guardianship, custody, provisional protection or care;
• proof identifying the person authorized to act for the Child Protection Service;
• registration information from the register for unaccompanied foreign minors;
• NIE information.

Where the child cannot obtain national documentation, a Cédula de Inscripción can potentially be requested before or together with the residence procedure.

For that documentation framework, see our EX-16 Cédula de Inscripción guide.

How Long Is Initial Residence for an Unaccompanied Minor?

The initial Article 172 authorization is valid for:

2 years

calculated from the date on which the minor was placed at the disposal of the Child Protection Service.

This retroactive effect is important.

The residence period does not simply begin on the day the immigration office eventually prints the approval decision.

How Long Is the Renewal?

Where the circumstances continue, Article 172 residence can be renewed.

The renewed authorization is generally valid for:

3 years

unless the person already qualifies for long-term residence.

Can an Unaccompanied Minor Work?

Yes.

For holders aged 16 or older, the residence documentation permits:

• employment;
• self-employment.

The TIE should reflect that it authorizes work.

The work authorization lasts for the same period as the underlying residence authorization.

TIE for an Unaccompanied Minor

After the residence decision, the minor’s representative must complete the TIE procedure within:

1 month

The minor attends as required together with the legal representative.

What Happens When an Unaccompanied Minor Turns 18?

Spain distinguishes two situations.

The Young Person Already Has Article 172 Residence

Article 173 governs continuation and renewal.

The Young Person Reaches 18 Without Having Obtained Article 172 Residence

Article 174 provides a specific exceptional-circumstances residence route.

These procedures should not be confused.

Article 173: Turning 18 With Residence

A young person who already holds residence as an unaccompanied minor can renew that authorization when approaching adulthood.

The renewed residence:

• permits employment;
• permits self-employment;
• is not subject to Spain’s national employment-situation test.

The young person must satisfy the applicable requirements concerning matters such as:

• financial support;
• integration;
• education or training;
• participation in integration programmes.

Financial Support Under Article 173

Economic support can potentially be demonstrated through different sources.

These can include:

• personal income;
• employment;
• social benefits;
• support guaranteed through a public or private programme;
• other qualifying resources.

The rules are designed to recognize that young people leaving the protection system may not have the same financial circumstances as established adult migrants.

When Is Article 173 Renewal Filed?

The application can generally be submitted:

• during the two months before the existing authorization expires; or
• during the three months after expiry.

Filing within the permitted period extends the validity of the previous authorization while the renewal is being processed.

Article 173 Decision Period

The official decision period is generally:

3 months.

Importantly, Article 173 renewal is subject to positive administrative silence where the statutory requirements are met and no decision has been notified within the period.

How Long Does Article 173 Renewal Last?

The renewed residence authorization is generally valid for:

2 years.

It can subsequently be renewed for additional two-year periods where the requirements continue, unless the person qualifies for:

• long-term residence; or
• long-term EU residence.

Article 174: Turning 18 Without Residence

Article 174 protects certain young people who:

• were under guardianship, custody, provisional protection or care of a Spanish Child Protection Service;
• reached adulthood;
• had satisfied the conditions for Article 172 residence;
• nevertheless reached 18 without actually receiving that residence authorization.

This route is a temporary residence authorization due to exceptional circumstances.

It also permits work.

Integration Requirements Under Article 174

The applicant must generally demonstrate participation in:

• training;
• educational activities;
• social-integration programmes;
• programmes organized by the protection entity.

Evidence can include reports from:

• public authorities;
• protection services;
• educational institutions;
• social-inclusion programmes;
• qualifying private organizations.

The applicant also needs to demonstrate continued presence in Spain.

Financial Requirements Under Article 174

The young person must demonstrate sufficient means of support.

This can potentially include:

• income exceeding the applicable individual Minimum Vital Income reference;
• support guaranteed through a public or private programme;
• employment income;
• social benefits;
• other qualifying resources;
• one or more qualifying employment contracts.

Where employment contracts are used, current rules can permit one or more contracts totaling at least 20 hours per week, subject to the applicable salary and employer requirements.

When Must Article 174 Be Filed?

The normal filing period is:

from 2 months before the applicant turns 18 until 3 months after turning 18.

There is an important exception.

Where properly documented circumstances outside the young person’s control prevented filing within the normal period, the application can exceptionally be presented later:

up to the day after the person turns 20.

A supporting report from the competent Autonomous Community or Ayuntamiento is required in that exceptional situation.

How Long Does Article 174 Take?

The official decision period is:

3 months.

If no decision is notified within that period, the application can generally be treated as refused through negative administrative silence.

How Long Is Article 174 Residence Valid?

The authorization is generally valid for:

2 years.

It can be renewed for additional two-year periods while the requirements continue, unless long-term residence becomes appropriate.

Can an Article 174 Holder Work?

Yes.

The residence authorization permits:

• employment; and
• self-employment.

For employee work, the national employment-situation test does not apply.

EX-25 and Humanitarian Programmes

EX-25 also covers a completely different group of procedures:

temporary displacement of foreign minors under humanitarian programmes.

The principal categories are:

• medical treatment;
• holidays;
• schooling.

These are not ordinary family residence applications.

They involve cooperation between immigration authorities, child-protection authorities, consular authorities and the organization promoting the programme.

What Counts as a Humanitarian Programme?

The current framework recognizes circumstances including situations where:

• the country of origin is affected by armed conflict;
• serious social difficulties arise because of conflict;
• the country is affected by a natural disaster;
• the country is affected by a human-caused disaster;
• the minor lives in a refugee camp;
• necessary specialized medical treatment or surgery cannot be provided in the country of origin.

The programme promoter can generally be:

• a public administration;
• a registered non-profit association;
• a registered foundation.

Prior Approval Is Important

Humanitarian displacement is not simply organized privately and regularized after the child arrives.

A favorable prior report from the competent Government Delegate or Subdelegate is generally required.

The application for that prior report normally needs to be made:

at least 3 months and no more than 4 months before the planned travel date.

Programme organizers should therefore prepare early.

Child-Protection Safeguards

The humanitarian programme must provide strong protection for the child.

This can include:

• express parental or guardianship authorization;
• assessment by child-protection authorities;
• criminal-record checks;
• sexual-offence record checks for relevant people living with the child;
• suitable accommodation;
• healthcare arrangements;
• financial guarantees;
• supervision arrangements;
• commitment to return the child to the country of origin.

The temporary stay cannot be treated as an informal private hosting arrangement.

Humanitarian Hosting Is Not Adoption

Where the child stays with a Spanish family or individual, the host must acknowledge that:

the purpose of the programme is not adoption.

The host must also undertake to facilitate the child’s return to the country of origin or previous residence.

This is particularly important for holiday and humanitarian programmes.

EX-25 for Medical Treatment

Article 162 covers humanitarian displacement for specialized medical treatment.

The initial temporary displacement can generally be authorized for:

up to 90 calendar days.

The child can exceptionally be accompanied within the same programme by:

• one parent; or
• one legal guardian.

The accompanying adult can receive a corresponding authorization linked to the child’s authorization.

Medical Programme Documents

The file can include:

• EX-25;
• programme documentation;
• medical reports;
• favorable child-protection report;
• parental or guardianship consent;
• proof of travel documentation;
• healthcare arrangements;
• evidence of financial responsibility;
• return commitment;
• documentation concerning the host family or accommodation;
• information concerning accompanying parent or guardian where applicable.

If several children participate in the programme, the promoter can also need to provide the required identification data for each child.

Can Medical Treatment Be Extended Beyond 90 Days?

Yes.

Where medical treatment cannot be completed within the initial authorized period, the temporary stay can exceptionally be extended for the time necessary to finish the treatment.

The promoter must apply before the existing stay expires.

A medical-authority report must demonstrate:

• that specialized treatment must continue;
• that continuation is necessary;
• that the treatment cannot reasonably continue in the child’s place of origin.

Consent from the person exercising parental authority or guardianship is also required.

Exceptional Residence for Continued Medical Treatment

There is another important stage.

If the maximum temporary-stay possibilities have been exhausted but remaining in Spain is indispensable for continuing the specialized treatment, EX-25 can be used for an exceptional temporary residence authorization.

This can apply to:

• the minor; and
• in qualifying cases, the accompanying parent or guardian.

The authorization lasts for the period strictly necessary according to the health authority’s report, with a maximum of:

1 year

and it can be renewable while the medical need continues under the applicable rules.

EX-25 for Humanitarian Holidays

Article 163 governs temporary humanitarian holiday programmes.

The standard minimum age is:

8 years.

An exception allows children over 6 years old to participate when they travel with siblings who are over 8.

The maximum holiday stay is:

90 calendar days.

Unlike medical-treatment stays, the ordinary holiday period is not designed to be extended.

Vacaciones en Paz

The current EX-25 includes a separate option for the Vacaciones en Paz programme.

This is a specialist humanitarian framework rather than ordinary tourist travel.

The programme can involve:

• authorized organizers;
• host families;
• child-protection checks;
• parental consent;
• healthcare arrangements;
• return obligations.

Monitors for Holiday Programmes

The current EX-25 also includes an option concerning monitors accompanying minors participating in qualifying holiday programmes.

The monitor’s immigration documentation should therefore be coordinated with the programme rather than treated as an unrelated tourist procedure.

EX-25 for Humanitarian Schooling

Article 164 covers temporary humanitarian displacement for schooling.

The normal minimum age is:

12 years.

The child must participate in a qualifying humanitarian programme and be admitted to an appropriate educational institution.

The legal nature of this authorization is stay for studies, but it is governed by this special humanitarian-minor framework rather than the ordinary international student route.

How Long Does Humanitarian Schooling Last?

The authorization generally lasts until:

the end of the relevant academic year.

At that point, the child is normally expected to return to the country of origin unless exceptional circumstances prevent departure.

If participation is intended for another academic year, the child normally needs to be included in a new humanitarian programme, with the documentation and requirements completed again.

Can a Schooling Stay Be Extended?

An extension can be possible where exceptional reasons prevent the child from returning at the normal end of the academic year.

The current EX-25 contains a specific extension option for this situation.

This should not be interpreted as an automatic right to remain indefinitely for education.

EX-25 and International Adoption

The current EX-25 also includes an option for:

Adopción internacional

under the applicable international conventions.

This is separate from humanitarian:

• medical;
• holiday;
• schooling

programmes.

A humanitarian programme must not be used as a way to bypass Spain’s international-adoption rules.

What Information Does EX-25 Ask For?

The current form contains several main sections.

Details of the Foreign Applicant

Depending on the procedure, this can refer to:

• the minor;
• the young former ward;
• a qualifying disabled person;
• an accompanying parent;
• an accompanying legal guardian.

Information can include:

• passport;
• NIE;
• surnames;
• name;
• sex;
• date of birth;
• place and country of birth;
• nationality;
• parents’ names;
• Spanish address;
• telephone;
• email;
• legal representative.

Person or Entity Responsible for the Child or Programme

EX-25 also contains a section for the person or organization that:

• has guardianship;
• has responsibility for the minor;
• promotes the humanitarian displacement.

This can include:

• parent;
• guardian;
• public authority;
• non-profit association;
• foundation;
• other authorized organization.

Representative for Submission

Where representation is legally permitted, the form contains a separate section for the person or organization presenting the application.

Notification Address

Official immigration communications must be monitored carefully.

EX-25 includes:

• notification address;
• telephone;
• email;
• electronic notification option through DEHú.

Missing a government request for documents can seriously affect the application.

Choosing the Correct EX-25 Category

The most important part of the form is identifying the legal procedure.

The current EX-25 includes the following principal categories.

Initial Temporary Residence

• minor accompanied and born in Spain — Article 159;
• accompanied minor or qualifying disabled person not born in Spain — Article 160;
• unaccompanied foreign minor — Article 172;
• former protected young person reaching adulthood without residence — Article 174;
• exceptional residence after medical-treatment stay is exhausted — Article 162;
• qualifying accompanying parent or guardian in the medical-treatment procedure.

Renewal of Temporary Residence

• unaccompanied foreign minor — Article 172;
• former protected young person who reaches adulthood with residence — Article 173;
• former protected young person who reached adulthood without prior residence — Article 174;
• exceptional medical-treatment residence;
• corresponding qualifying parent or guardian.

Temporary Humanitarian Displacement

• medical treatment — Article 162;
• accompanying parent or guardian;
• holidays — Article 163;
• holiday-programme monitor;
• schooling — Article 164.

Extension of Humanitarian Displacement

• continued medical treatment;
• accompanying parent or guardian;
• exceptional continuation of humanitarian schooling.

Other EX-25 Procedures

• international adoption;
• Vacaciones en Paz.

Selecting the correct box is essential because the evidence, decision period, fees and legal consequences are different.

EX-25 Fees

EX-25 does not have one universal fee category.

The correct fee depends on the procedure.

Many residence procedures use:

Modelo 790 Código 052

but the exact fee heading varies according to whether the application concerns:

• accompanied foreign minor;
• unaccompanied minor;
• exceptional circumstances;
• renewal;
• humanitarian programme report.

For example, Article 159 and Article 160 use the category for initial temporary residence of accompanied foreign minors.

Humanitarian-programme prior reports use a different fee concept.

Always identify the legal procedure before generating the fee.

Where Is EX-25 Submitted?

The filing authority depends on the selected procedure.

For ordinary residence of accompanied minors under Articles 159 and 160, filing is generally through the competent:

Oficina de Extranjería

for the province where the child lives.

Electronic presentation is also available in qualifying situations.

For unaccompanied minors, the competent child-protection service and immigration authorities handle the procedure.

Humanitarian displacement can involve:

• Oficina de Extranjería;
• Government Delegation or Subdelegation;
• Autonomous Community child-protection authorities;
• Spanish consular authorities;
• programme organizers.

There is therefore no single filing method that applies to every EX-25 case.

Can EX-25 Be Submitted Electronically?

Many EX-25 immigration applications can be filed electronically where the applicant, guardian or authorized professional has the necessary electronic identification.

Mercurio or the applicable government electronic platform can be used for procedures for which electronic filing is enabled.

Humanitarian programmes and specialist child-protection cases can have additional procedural requirements.

Apostille, Legalization and Translation

Foreign public documents may need formal preparation before they are accepted in Spain.

Depending on the country and document, this can involve:

Apostille → Sworn translation → Immigration submission

or:

Consular legalization → Sworn translation → Immigration submission

Documents commonly affected include:

• foreign birth certificates;
• custody decisions;
• guardianship documents;
• adoption documents;
• parental consent;
• medical records;
• court orders.

International conventions can remove some authentication requirements.

For document preparation, see our Documents Needed in Spain guide and Translation Services in Spain.

EX-25 vs EX-02

EX-25 and EX-02 can both involve children, but they serve different purposes.

EX-25

Includes specialist residence rules for:

• children born in Spain;
• qualifying children already in Spain;
• unaccompanied minors;
• humanitarian programmes;
• former protected minors.

EX-02

Covers ordinary family reunification by qualifying foreign residents.

A child living abroad who is being brought to Spain through normal family reunification may therefore belong under EX-02 rather than EX-25.

EX-25 vs EX-24

If the child’s parent is Spanish, the dedicated residence framework for family members of Spanish citizens should be examined.

That procedure normally uses EX-24.

EX-25 Articles 159 and 160 are mainly designed around children or dependants connected with foreign residents.

For Spanish-family residence, see our EX-24 Family Members of Spanish Citizens guide.

EX-25 vs EX-19

A non-EU child who qualifies as the family member of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen may fall under the EU free-movement family regime rather than the ordinary EX-25 accompanied-minor procedures.

That family-card procedure normally uses EX-19.

The nationality and immigration status of the sponsoring parent therefore matter.

EX-25 vs EX-17

EX-25 determines the underlying immigration authorization.

EX-17 relates to the later physical TIE process.

A typical residence sequence is:

EX-25 → Residence approval → EX-17 / fingerprints → TIE

The two forms are not interchangeable.

EX-25 vs EX-16

EX-16 deals with:

• Cédula de Inscripción;
• Título de Viaje.

It can become relevant where a foreign minor cannot obtain ordinary national documentation.

In certain unaccompanied-minor cases, a Cédula de Inscripción can be requested before or together with the residence procedure.

Common EX-25 Mistakes

Assuming EX-25 Is Only for Babies Born in Spain

It covers many additional residence and humanitarian procedures.

Using Article 159 for a Child Born Abroad

Article 159 specifically concerns qualifying foreign minors born in Spain.

Assuming Birth in Spain Automatically Gives Residence

It does not.

Missing the Six-Month Article 159 Period

This can change the requirements that apply.

Ignoring Whether the Child Left Spain After Birth

This can matter where the parent only obtained residence after the child was born.

Ignoring the Two-Year Article 160 Requirement

The ordinary route for a child born abroad generally requires two years of continuous presence in Spain.

Using the Two-Year Rule for Every Current Case

Certain applications filed under the special 2026 transitional provisions before 30 June 2026 can have different requirements.

Ignoring Financial and Housing Requirements Under Article 160

These are important parts of the ordinary procedure.

Forgetting School Enrollment

Compulsory-school-age children must satisfy the applicable schooling requirements.

Ignoring Custody

A parent cannot always unilaterally decide that a child will reside permanently in Spain.

Confusing Unaccompanied-Minor Residence With Ordinary Family Immigration

Article 172 is a child-protection procedure.

Using Outdated Negative-Silence Information for Article 172

Spain amended Article 172 in 2026 and removed the old regulatory negative-silence wording.

Waiting Until Long After a Protected Young Person Turns 18

Articles 173 and 174 contain important filing periods.

Confusing Article 173 and Article 174

Article 173 applies where the young person already had residence.

Article 174 applies where the young person reached adulthood without having obtained the Article 172 authorization despite qualifying for it.

Treating Humanitarian Displacement as Ordinary Tourism

Medical, holiday and schooling programmes have specialized child-protection rules.

Treating Humanitarian Schooling as a Normal Student Visa

It is a special humanitarian programme with its own legal framework.

Assuming a Humanitarian Holiday Can Be Extended

The ordinary Article 163 holiday stay is limited to 90 calendar days and is not an ordinary extendable residence route.

Using Humanitarian Hosting as an Adoption Route

The host family must specifically recognize that the humanitarian stay is not intended as adoption.

Forgetting the Prior Programme Report

Humanitarian displacement normally requires advance administrative preparation.

Using Foreign Documents Without Proper Formalities

Apostille, legalization and sworn translation can be required.

Paying the Wrong Fee

EX-25 contains several legal procedures with different fee categories.

EX-25 Checklist for a Child Born in Spain

Before filing Article 159, confirm that:

• the child was born in Spain;
• the child is still a minor;
• the child is unmarried;
• the child is in Spain;
• at least one parent has qualifying Spanish residence;
• the Spanish birth certificate is available;
• the child has valid identity or travel documentation;
• the six-month filing period has been checked;
• any absence from Spain has been reviewed;
• compulsory-schooling documentation is ready where applicable;
• custody or parental-consent evidence is prepared where required;
• EX-25 is completed;
• the correct Modelo 790 Código 052 fee is prepared;
• the TIE procedure is planned after approval.

EX-25 Checklist for a Child Born Outside Spain

Before filing Article 160, confirm that:

• the child or qualifying dependent was not born in Spain;
• the correct Article 160 family category applies;
• the applicant has not established an independent family unit;
• two years of continuous presence can normally be demonstrated;
• the parent or guardian has residence or has the qualifying residence application pending;
• economic means are documented;
• adequate housing is documented;
• school enrollment is proven where required;
• custody and consent documents are prepared;
• disability documentation is ready where relevant;
• EX-25 is completed correctly;
• the applicable fee is prepared;
• the TIE procedure is planned.

EX-25 Checklist for Humanitarian Programmes

Before arranging a humanitarian displacement, confirm that:

• the programme falls within the humanitarian framework;
• the correct Article 162, 163 or 164 category has been identified;
• the organizer is legally eligible;
• the child-protection report is prepared;
• the prior report is being requested within the required time window;
• parental or guardianship consent is documented;
• passports or travel documents are valid;
• healthcare coverage is arranged;
• host-family checks are complete;
• criminal-record and sexual-offence checks have been addressed;
• return commitments are documented;
• accommodation is appropriate;
• medical evidence is ready where applicable;
• school admission is ready where applicable;
• the correct EX-25 category is selected;
• the applicable fee has been identified.

Frequently Asked Questions About EX-25

What is EX-25 in Spain?

EX-25 is Spain’s official form for several residence and temporary-displacement procedures involving foreign minors and certain related applicants.

Is EX-25 only for children?

Mostly, but not exclusively.

The form also covers certain:

• young adults leaving the child-protection system;
• adult children with qualifying disabilities;
• accompanying parents or guardians in medical programmes;
• programme monitors.

Is EX-25 used for a baby born in Spain?

Yes.

A qualifying foreign baby born in Spain can obtain residence under Article 159.

Does being born in Spain automatically give residence?

No.

An immigration procedure is normally still required.

How soon should Article 159 be filed?

Normally within six months of birth.

What if the parent receives residence after the baby is born?

A six-month period can run from the parent obtaining residence, provided the child remains in Spain and has not left Spain since birth.

How long is Article 159 residence valid?

Five years.

Can the child work later?

Yes.

The authorization automatically enables work once the holder reaches Spain’s legal minimum working age.

What if my child was born outside Spain?

Article 160 may apply where the child is already living in Spain with a qualifying foreign resident parent or legal guardian.

How long must a child born abroad normally have lived in Spain?

The standard Article 160 requirement is two years of continuous and uninterrupted presence immediately before the application.

Are there exceptions to the two-year rule?

Special transitional rules applied to certain applications connected with Spain’s 2026 exceptional regularization measures.

The filing deadline for those special measures was 30 June 2026, so they are relevant primarily to qualifying applications already filed before that deadline.

Does Article 160 require financial resources?

Yes, under the ordinary procedure.

Does Article 160 require adequate housing?

Yes, under the ordinary procedure.

Can I file Article 160 while my own residence is still pending?

Yes, where the current requirements are satisfied.

How long does Article 160 residence last?

Five years.

How long do Article 159 and Article 160 take?

The official decision period is generally one month.

What is an unaccompanied foreign minor?

It is a foreign minor in Spain without the relevant parent or responsible adult who is placed under the protection, guardianship, custody or care of the competent Spanish child-protection authorities.

When does Article 172 begin?

The residence procedure begins once repatriation has been shown to be impossible and, in any event, after 90 days from placement with the competent Child Protection Service.

How long is initial Article 172 residence?

Two years from the date on which the child was placed at the disposal of the Child Protection Service.

How long is Article 172 renewal?

Normally three years unless long-term residence applies.

Can an unaccompanied minor work?

A qualifying holder aged 16 or older can be authorized to work as an employee or self-employed person.

Is Article 172 subject to negative administrative silence?

The 2026 amendment removed the previous negative-silence language from Article 172. The current regulation establishes a one-month maximum decision period.

What happens when an unaccompanied minor turns 18?

If the young person already has residence, Article 173 applies.

If the young person reached adulthood without obtaining Article 172 residence despite qualifying for it, Article 174 can apply.

How long is Article 173 renewal?

Normally two years.

Is Article 173 administrative silence positive?

Yes, the current renewal procedure provides for positive administrative silence after the applicable three-month period.

When is Article 174 filed?

Normally from two months before turning 18 until three months afterwards.

Can Article 174 be filed later?

Exceptionally, yes, up to the day after the applicant turns 20 where properly proven circumstances outside their control prevented earlier filing.

Can an Article 174 holder work?

Yes.

What is humanitarian displacement?

It is temporary travel to Spain by a foreign minor under an approved humanitarian programme for purposes such as medical treatment, holidays or schooling.

How long can medical treatment last initially?

Up to 90 calendar days under the initial temporary-displacement procedure.

Can medical treatment be extended?

Yes, exceptionally, where specialized treatment must continue and the required medical evidence is provided.

Can the child eventually obtain temporary residence for medical treatment?

Potentially.

If the temporary stay possibilities are exhausted and remaining in Spain is indispensable for continuing treatment, an exceptional residence authorization can be granted for the necessary period, up to one year, and can be renewable.

What is the minimum age for a humanitarian holiday programme?

Normally eight years.

Children over six can exceptionally participate when accompanied by qualifying siblings over eight.

How long is a humanitarian holiday stay?

Up to 90 calendar days.

What is the minimum age for humanitarian schooling?

Normally 12 years.

How long does humanitarian schooling last?

Generally until the end of the academic year.

Can the child remain for another school year automatically?

No.

A new humanitarian programme generally needs to be processed for another academic year.

Is humanitarian hosting a route to adoption?

No.

Temporary humanitarian displacement is specifically not intended to create an adoption route.

Does EX-25 include international adoption?

Yes.

The current form includes a separate international-adoption option under the applicable legal framework.

Does EX-25 include Vacaciones en Paz?

Yes.

Which fee is used?

The fee depends on the specific EX-25 procedure. Many residence routes use Modelo 790 Código 052, but the exact category must match the legal procedure.

Does the child need a TIE after residence approval?

Yes, where the residence authorization requires the physical card.

The TIE procedure is separate from EX-25.

Which EX-25 Route Applies?

Start with the child’s circumstances.

Was the child born in Spain?

→ Examine Article 159.

Was the child born abroad and already lives in Spain with a foreign resident parent or legal guardian?

→ Examine Article 160.

Is the child under Spanish public protection as an unaccompanied foreign minor?

→ Examine Article 172.

Is the young person reaching adulthood and already has Article 172 residence?

→ Examine Article 173.

Did the young person reach adulthood without obtaining Article 172 residence despite qualifying?

→ Examine Article 174.

Is the child coming temporarily through a humanitarian programme?

→ Medical treatment: Article 162

→ Holidays: Article 163

→ Schooling: Article 164

Choosing the legal category should always come before completing the form.

Need Help With Residence for a Foreign Child in Spain?

EX-25 demonstrates why Spanish immigration procedures cannot be identified by the form number alone.

Two families may both need EX-25 but have completely different requirements.

A useful decision sequence is:

Child’s place of birth → Current location → Time in Spain → Parent or guardian’s immigration status → Custody situation → Correct EX-25 article → Documents → Application → TIE

If ordinary family reunification is more appropriate, see our EX-02 Family Reunification guide.

If the child is the family member of a Spanish citizen, see our EX-24 Family Members of Spanish Citizens guide.

If the case involves inability to obtain a passport or national documentation, see our EX-16 Cédula de Inscripción guide.

For the physical residence card after approval, see our EX-17 TIE Form guide.

You can compare every Spanish immigration form in our Spain Immigration Forms guide.

For assistance identifying the correct procedure, preparing documents and coordinating a child’s Spanish immigration application, contact Newcomer.es.