Arraigo: residence for people already living in Spain
Arraigo (residence through roots) lets people who are already living in Spain without a current permit regularise their situation through the ties they have built here — family, work, training or community. The 2025 immigration regulation reorganised it into five modalities and reduced the general minimum stay from three years to two. Holders can work, as employees or self-employed, from the moment the authorisation is granted.
This route suits
- People who have lived in Spain continuously for at least two years and are in an irregular situation
- People with a job offer or contracts totalling at least 20 hours a week
- Parents, guardians or carers of a Spanish or EU minor or dependent person
- People enrolled, or ready to enrol, in qualifying training
- Former permit holders whose authorisation was not renewed in the last two years
It’s not designed for
- People who have not yet reached two years’ continuous stay (except arraigo familiar, which has no minimum)
- Anyone with a criminal record in Spain or in the countries they lived in during the previous five years
- People still living outside Spain — the consular visa routes are designed for them
Key requirements
Continuous stay in Spain
At least two years’ continuous stay for most modalities, evidenced with padrón history and other documents. Time spent as an asylum applicant generally does not count toward the two years. Arraigo familiar has no minimum stay.
No criminal record
No criminal record in Spain or in the countries where you have lived during the previous five years, with certificates apostilled and translated where needed.
Arraigo sociolaboral
One or more employment contracts totalling at least 20 hours a week, paid at least the minimum wage (SMI) in proportion to the hours worked.
Arraigo social
Family ties with a legal resident — spouse, registered partner or first-degree relative — or an integration report from the regional or local authority, together with evidence of means.
Arraigo socioformativo
Enrolment in qualifying training, such as post-compulsory secondary education or professional certificates, plus an integration report.
Arraigo familiar and segunda oportunidad
Familiar: parent or guardian of a Spanish or EU minor you live with or support, or carer of a dependent Spanish or EU person. Segunda oportunidad: for people who held a residence authorisation in the last two years that was not renewed.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; we confirm your situation in a consultation.
Last reviewed: Legal basis: LO 4/2000 (LOEX), art. 31 · RD 1155/2024
How the process works
Confidential assessment
We listen to your situation without judgement and identify which modality fits — and whether you already meet the stay and record requirements.
Evidence of stay and ties
We build the file: padrón history, criminal-record certificates, contracts, family records, training enrolment or integration report, depending on the modality.
Filing
The application is filed with the Oficina de Extranjería for your province. Where a filing legally requires a colegiado professional, it is submitted by our named partner (abogado or gestor administrativo colegiado).
Requerimientos and follow-up
We monitor the application and prepare any response to a requerimiento with you within the deadline. If a refusal needs to be appealed before the courts, an abogado handles it.
TIE and Social Security
Once granted, we book your TIE appointment and coordinate Social Security registration so you can start working.
After approval
Most arraigo authorisations are granted for one year and allow work from the start, as an employee or self-employed. Arraigo familiar is granted for five years. Before expiry you renew into the ordinary residence routes, which have their own conditions, so we track your dates and plan the next step early. Over time, this can lead to long-term residence.
Why files get refused or delayed
- Gaps in padrón history that break the two years’ continuous stay
- Counting time as an asylum applicant, which generally doesn’t count toward the two years
- Contracts below 20 hours a week in total, or below the minimum wage pro rata
- Criminal-record certificates missing for a country lived in during the previous five years
- Choosing the wrong modality when another fits the evidence better
- Integration reports requested too late, or not covering what the office expects
Frequently asked questions
How long do I need to have lived in Spain to apply for arraigo?
Under the 2025 immigration regulation, most modalities require at least two years’ continuous stay, reduced from three. Arraigo familiar has no minimum stay. Time spent as an asylum applicant generally does not count toward the two years.
Can I work once I get arraigo?
Yes. Since the 2025 reform, arraigo holders can work as employees or self-employed from the moment the authorisation is granted, whichever modality they used.
What is the difference between arraigo social and arraigo sociolaboral?
Arraigo sociolaboral is based on employment contracts totalling at least 20 hours a week, paid at least the minimum wage pro rata. Arraigo social is based on family ties with a legal resident or an integration report, plus means.
My residence permit was not renewed. Is there a way back?
Possibly. Arraigo de segunda oportunidad is for people who held a residence authorisation in the last two years that was not renewed. We review your history and documents to see whether it fits.
Is everything confidential?
Yes. We treat your situation with discretion and use your information only to assess and prepare your application. Our first conversation is about understanding your options, without judgement.
Turn this into a plan
The route finder takes two minutes. A consultation turns it into a plan.