Arraigo Exceptional

Arraigo in Spain: Requirements & Regularisation

Review the main Arraigo routes in Spain, the requirements that may apply to each route, the documents commonly requested and the key eligibility questions to consider before applying. General resolution period: 3 months. Fee: Form 790, code 052.

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Arraigo social

2 years (new)

Most requested route. Reduced from 3 to 2 years of continuous stay (max. 90 days absence in 2 years). No longer requires a work contract: proving sufficient economic means or family ties with a legal resident, plus a social integration report, is enough.

  • 2 years continuous stay in Spain (max. 90 days absence)
  • Not an EU/EEA/Swiss national or family member
  • Municipal social integration report, or family ties with legal resident (spouse, registered partner, 1st-degree family member)
  • Sufficient economic means (work contract, self-employment, income, or family support with cohabitation)
  • No criminal record in Spain or countries of residence in last 5 years
  • 1-year authorisation · Renewable · Authorises work
RD 1155/2024, arts. 124–127 · Instrucciones SEM 1/2025 · Art. 31.3 LO 4/2000
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Arraigo sociolaboral

2 years

For those who have worked in Spain. Requires 2 years of stay and proving employment or Social Security contributions by any means (payslips, work history, court ruling, witnesses). Once admitted to process, provisionally authorises work pending resolution.

  • 2 years continuous stay (max. 90 days absence)
  • Proof of employment or Social Security in Spain (any evidence)
  • Job offer (min. 30h/week) or self-employment commitment
  • Company accredited via IRPF, VAT, Corporate Tax or VILE
  • No criminal record · Effectiveness conditional on SS registration within 1 month
RD 1155/2024, art. 127.b · Instrucciones SEM 1/2025
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Arraigo socioformativo

IN FORCE SINCE 2025

Replaces the old arraigo para la formación. 2 years of stay + enrolment or commitment to accredited training. Allows working up to 30h/week. If enrolment has an official deadline, apply in the 2 months before that deadline.

  • 2 years continuous stay in Spain
  • Enrolment in: basic/intermediate/advanced VET, secondary, arts/sports education, or SEPE training in the hard-to-fill occupations catalogue
  • Social integration report (additionally)
  • Compatible work: max. 30h/week · Start training within max. 3 months
  • Duration: 1 year · Extension conditional on training centre report
RD 1155/2024, arts. 124–127.d · Instrucciones SEM 1/2025
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Arraigo familiar

No min. stay

Updated: now only for parents/guardians of EU/EEA/Swiss minors or relatives supporting disabled EU nationals. Cases involving Spanish nationals' family members now have a specific separate permit (SEM 2/2025). Duration: 5 years.

  • No minimum stay required
  • Be parent/guardian of an EU/EEA/Swiss minor with cohabitation and obligations current, or
  • Be a family member caring for a disabled EU national with whom you live
  • No criminal record · Duration: 5 years
RD 1155/2024, arts. 124–132 · Instrucciones SEM 1/2025
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Humanitarian arraigo & victims

Case by case

The new Regulation extends guarantees for exceptional circumstances: gender-violence victims, sexual violence victims (new), persons in extreme vulnerability, serious illness. Assessed case by case by the Government Delegation.

  • Evidence of exceptional humanitarian circumstances via public body or Ministry of Interior report
  • New: sexual violence victims may apply without prior stay requirement
RD 1155/2024 · Art. 31.3 LO 4/2000 · Instrucciones SEM 1/2025
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Second-chance arraigo

IN FORCE SINCE 2025

For those who had a legal authorisation but lost it. Requires 2 years of continuous stay since the previous authorisation lapsed. No need to prove the prior authorisation was not granted for exceptional circumstances.

  • 2 years continuous stay since loss of authorisation
  • Previous legal residency authorisation (not granted for exceptional circumstances)
  • No criminal record · Duration: 1 year · Renewable
RD 1155/2024, arts. 124–132 · Instrucciones SEM 1/2025
Discover which arraigo option may fit your situation
Answer 7 questions about your situation and receive initial guidance based on official Ministry of Inclusion requirements (RD 1155/2024 · SEM Instructions 1/2025 · inclusion.gob.es).
Question 1 of 7
01 How long have you been living continuously in Spain? (max. 90 days absence in the period)
📌 Art. 124 RD 1155/2024 · SEM 1/2025 (max. 90 days absence)
02 Are you a citizen of the European Union, the European Economic Area or Switzerland, or a family member of one?
📌 Art. 124.1 RD 1155/2024 — General requirement: not an EU/EEA/Swiss national
03 Do you have criminal records in Spain or in countries where you have resided in the last 5 years?
📌 Art. 124.1.d RD 1155/2024 — General requirement for all arraigo types
04 Do you have minor children with Spanish nationality or legal residency in Spain, and are you responsible for their care?
📌 Art. 127.c RD 1155/2024 (Family arraigo) — Sheet 31 inclusion.gob.es
05 Did you previously hold a legal residence authorisation in Spain that you lost by failing to renew it on time?
📌 Art. 125 RD 1155/2024 (Second-chance arraigo) — Sheet 27 inclusion.gob.es
06 Can you prove work in Spain or, if not, can you enrol in training that may qualify for socioformative arraigo?
📌 Art. 127.b (Sociolaboral) · Art. 127.d (Socioformativo) RD 1155/2024 — Sheets 29 and 30 inclusion.gob.es
07 Do you have a social integration report from the regional or local authority, OR family ties with a legal resident in Spain (spouse, registered partner, 1st-degree family member)?
📌 Art. 127.a (Social arraigo) RD 1155/2024 · SEM Instructions 4/2025 (integration report) — Sheet 28 inclusion.gob.es
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