Arraigo in Spain 2026 — How to Regularise Your Status (Complete Guide)

Arraigo is a set of legal routes that let people already living in Spain without a permit regularise their status. Which route applies depends on your ties to Spain — work, family, training, or established social roots — and how long you have lived here; the requirements differ by type. Below, how to identify the arraigo that fits your situation.

What Is Arraigo in Spain?

Arraigo (meaning “roots”) is a group of exceptional immigration pathways under Spanish law allowing foreign nationals irregularly residing in Spain to regularise their status and obtain a temporary residence and work permit. Regulated under the Immigration Regulation approved by Royal Decree 1155/2024, in force since 20 May 2025, which repealed Real Decreto 557/2011 in full, there are five distinct types, each with its own evidence requirements.

Types of Arraigo in Spain (2026)

1. Arraigo Social (Social Roots)

The most commonly used pathway:

• 2 years of continuous residence in Spain (proved via empadronamiento, medical records, etc.), with absences not exceeding 90 days in total across that period
• No criminal record in Spain or your country of origin (past 5 years)
• Sufficient economic means, assessed by reference to the IPREM in force and higher where you have dependants — since Royal Decree 1155/2024 this route no longer requires an employment contract
• Social ties: family connections to Spanish residents, or a council integration report (informe de arraigo)

2. Arraigo Sociolaboral (Work Roots — the route that replaced arraigo laboral)

• 2 years of continuous residence
• One or more employment contracts totalling at least 20 hours a week at or above the applicable minimum wage — or a completed employment relationship accredited by a labour inspection report, a conciliation record or a court ruling. Since Royal Decree 1155/2024 proving past irregular work is no longer required, only one of the ways to qualify
• No criminal record

3. Arraigo Familiar (Family Roots)

• Parent of a Spanish-born child holding Spanish nationality, OR
• Child of an originally Spanish parent
• No minimum residence period required — the fastest arraigo pathway

4. Arraigo Socioformativo (Training Roots)

Introduced in 2022 and carried into the 2024 regulation:

• 2 years of continuous residence
• Commitment to accredited training leading to a recognised qualification
• Initial 12-month authorisation, extendable for another 12 months

5. Arraigo de Segunda Oportunidad (Second-Chance Roots)

Created by Royal Decree 1155/2024 and with no equivalent under the old regulation:

• For people who previously held a residence authorisation and fell out of legal status
• 2 years of continuous residence
• No criminal record

How to Apply: Step-by-Step

1. Gather documentation: passport, empadronamiento certificates, criminal record certificates (apostilled and translated), employment pre-contract or financial evidence
2. Request the informe de arraigo social from your ayuntamiento (allow 30 days)
3. Submit your application at the Oficina de Extranjería in your province
4. Wait for resolution: 3 months; administrative silence is positive (deemed approved)
5. Obtain your TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero)
6. Register with Social Security and begin working legally

Arraigo for British Citizens After Brexit

British nationals who were living in Spain without registering under the Withdrawal Agreement may find themselves in an irregular situation. Arraigo social has become an important pathway, and since 20 May 2025 it requires 2 years of continuous residence rather than 3, together with economic means and either family ties or a council integration report. A separate extraordinary regularisation ran under Royal Decree 316/2026, but its window closed on 30 June 2026 and it is no longer open.

Common Mistakes

• Gaps in empadronamiento can break continuity of residence
• Expired criminal record certificates — must be recent (3–6 months) and apostilled
• Inadequate pre-contracts — must meet minimum wage and specify 12+ months
• Not requesting the informe early enough — 30-day processing delay

After Approval: What Happens Next?

You receive a temporary residence and work permit for one year, renewable for two years (then another two), eventually qualifying for long-term residency after five years. This also opens the path to Spanish citizenship (typically 10 years of legal residence; 2 years for nationals of Latin American countries, Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, or Portugal).

If you are relocating from the Philippines, see our step-by-step guide to moving to Spain from the Philippines.

This article provides general legal information and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration rules are subject to change and individual circumstances vary.

Arraigo for Training (Arraigo Formativo)

The arraigo formativo (arraigo for training) is one of the newest pathways in Spain’s immigration system, introduced in the 2022 immigration reform. It allows undocumented foreign nationals to obtain a residence permit by enrolling in an officially recognised training programme. This is a genuine second chance for people who have been living in Spain without legal status.

Who Qualifies for Arraigo Formativo?

To be eligible for arraigo for training, you must meet ALL of the following conditions:

• Continuous residence in Spain for at least 2 years immediately before the application. You must be able to prove this with documentation (padrón certificates, medical records, bank statements, etc.).
• No criminal record in Spain or in your country of origin (or countries where you have lived in the last 5 years).
• No entry ban or deportation order currently in effect against you.
• Enrolment in an authorised training programme — this must be confirmed at the time of application or within a short period after approval.
• No previous arraigo formativo authorisation — you can only use this pathway once.

How Long Does the Arraigo Formativo Permit Last?

The arraigo formativo residence permit is structured in two phases:

1. Training phase (12 months): You receive a 12-month residence authorisation that allows you to study and undertake the training programme. During this phase, you are permitted to work part-time (up to 30 hours per week) alongside your studies.
2. Work extension phase (12 months): Once you successfully complete the training programme, you can apply for a 12-month work permit extension. This allows you to work full-time in the sector related to your training.

After the work extension, you may then apply for a standard residence and work permit renewal, putting you on the path to long-term residency.

What Training Programmes Qualify?

Not just any course qualifies. The training programme must be one of the following officially recognised types:

• Certificados de profesionalidad (professional certificates) — these are official vocational qualifications regulated by SEPE (the Spanish public employment service). Examples include certificates in hospitality, construction, healthcare assistance, and IT support.
• Formación Profesional (FP) — formal vocational training cycles (Grado Medio or Grado Superior), equivalent to NVQs or BTECs in the UK system.
• Training programmes approved by the Autonomous Community — each region (Andalucía, Catalonia, Madrid, etc.) may approve specific training courses that qualify.
• Spanish language courses combined with vocational training, particularly relevant for non-Spanish-speaking applicants.

The training programme must have a minimum duration that ensures genuine skill development — typically at least 200 hours, though this varies by programme type.

Required Documentation for Arraigo Formativo

You will need to prepare the following documents:

1. Application form EX-10 (Solicitud de Autorización de Residencia Temporal)
2. Valid passport (original and copy of all pages)
3. Proof of 2 years’ continuous residence — padrón certificates (certificado de empadronamiento histórico), medical records, utility bills, money transfer receipts, or any official documents showing your presence in Spain
4. Criminal record certificate from your country of origin (apostilled and translated into Spanish by a sworn translator)
5. Spanish criminal record certificate (Certificado de Antecedentes Penales)
6. Proof of enrolment or pre-enrolment in a qualifying training programme
7. Commitment letter from the training centre confirming your acceptance
8. Padrón certificate (current, not older than 3 months)
9. Fee payment (Tasa 790-052)

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Gather your proof of residence. Collect all documents that prove you have lived continuously in Spain for at least 2 years. The padrón histórico from your local town hall is the most important document.
2. Obtain criminal record certificates. Request your home country criminal record (allow 4–8 weeks for apostille and sworn translation) and your Spanish criminal record certificate online.
3. Find and enrol in a qualifying training programme. Contact your local SEPE office or the employment department of your Autonomous Community for a list of qualifying programmes. Secure a pre-enrolment or acceptance letter.
4. Complete form EX-10. Fill in the application form carefully — errors can cause delays or rejection.
5. Pay the application fee (Tasa 790-052). This is currently around €16–€20.
6. Submit your application. File at the Oficina de Extranjería in your province. Some provinces allow online submission through the Mercurio system; others require an in-person appointment (cita previa).
7. Wait for resolution. The administration has 3 months to resolve your application. If you hear nothing within 3 months, the application is considered denied by administrative silence (silencio negativo).
8. Receive your authorisation and apply for TIE. Once approved, you have 1 month to apply for your TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) at the police station (comisaría).
9. Complete your training and apply for the work extension. After finishing the programme, apply for the 12-month work authorisation within the last 60 days of your training permit.

Arraigo Formativo vs Other Arraigo Types: Comparison

Feature	Arraigo Social	Arraigo Laboral	Arraigo Formativo	Arraigo Familiar
Minimum residence	3 years	2 years	2 years	None (family tie required)
Job offer required?	Yes (or self-employment)	No (proven work history)	No	No
Training required?	No	No	Yes	No
Permit duration	1 year	1 year	12 months + 12 months extension	1 year
Work allowed during?	Yes (full-time)	Yes (full-time)	Part-time (30 hrs/week) during training	Yes (full-time)
Key advantage	Most common pathway	No job offer needed	Only 2 years + gains qualifications	No residence time needed

The arraigo formativo is ideal if: you have been in Spain for 2 years, you don’t have a job offer, and you want to gain recognised qualifications that will improve your employment prospects in Spain.

For a complete overview of immigration and visas in Spain, see our Immigration Spain Guide.

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