Spain Arraigo visa
What is “Arraigo”?
Arraigo is a residence and work permit regime in Spain for non-EU nationals who are in Spain under irregular status (or other special circumstances) but have established ties (“roots”) in Spain.
It is intended to allow individuals already in Spain (often without full legal status) to regularise their situation based on social/family/work integration.
Under the new regulations (as of 2025) the minimum period of residence for many routes has been reduced (for example from three years down to two years in some cases).
Main Types of Arraigo
Here are the main categories you’ll encounter:
TypeKey features / who it’s forArraigo Social (Social roots)For people who have lived in Spain irregularly for a period (formerly 3 years, now often 2) and who can show integration (social ties, local authority report, sometimes employment or financial means). Arraigo Laboral / Sociolaboral (Work & roots)For those who have lived in Spain for a specified time (often 2+ years) and who can secure a job contract (or have been working) and are integrating via the workforce. Arraigo Familiar (Family roots)For those with family ties — e.g., children or parents who are Spanish nationals or certain other close family ties. In many cases no long prior residence is required.Arraigo Formativo / Socio-Formativo (Training roots)For individuals who commit to completing a recognised training/educational programme in Spain and thereby regularise via that route. Second Chance ArraigoA newer route for people who previously had legal residence but lost it or couldn’t renew; this allows a “second chance” if certain criteria are met.
Key Requirements & Conditions
While each type has specific criteria, some common themes and requirements are:
Minimum continuous residence in Spain (e.g., 2 years for many social/ labour arraigo cases under the new regulation).
Proof of “integration” — which could be via a municipal/local authority “integration report” (informe de arraigo), showing ties to the community, sometimes language/basic level of Spanish, etc.
No serious criminal record (in Spain or abroad) in most cases.
For labour-type arraigo: a job offer or contract (often for at least 1 year) or self-employment accepted in some cases.
For family arraigo: the family relationship (e.g., parent of a minor Spanish citizen) rather than long residence is the key.
Post-approval: The initial permit is typically valid for 1 year (for many categories) and can lead to renewal or conversion into a longer-term permit. Under the 2025 reform the family route may grant 5 years initially.
Recent Changes in 2025
Important updates you should be aware of:
From May 2025, the new Regulation on Foreigners (Reglamento de Extranjería) introduced changes to the arraigo rules.
One big change: the required minimum residence period for many categories was reduced from 3 years to 2 years.
The family-arraigo route now may require no prior minimum residence and allows a 5-year permit directly in many cases.
Greater flexibility for employment/self-employment under the permit — you may work for others or self-employed depending on the route.
Step-by-Step Process (General)
Here’s a high-level process for applying (exact steps vary by region in Spain):
Gather documents: passport, proof of residence in Spain for required period, criminal records, job contract (if labour route), integration report (if required), translations, etc.
Submit application in Spain (there are routes that allow applying from within Spain) via the Immigration Office (Oficina de Extranjería) or corresponding regional body.
Wait for resolution (often up to around 3 months). If approved, you receive authorization. If the application is silent beyond that, it may be considered rejected.
Once approved, obtain the physical residence card (TIE – Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) via local police/immigration office.
Work and reside legally under the conditions of the permit. After the initial period you may convert/renew or apply for a long-term or permanent residence depending on your situation and time in Spain.
Things to Watch / Consider
The rules can vary by autonomous community (region) in Spain — for practical matters (e.g., local integration report, scheduling of appointments) you should check the specific region where you live.
Having informal work (without contract) may not count in many labour-routes. You’ll need a valid contract for many cases.
Proof of continuous residence: being absent from Spain for long periods may break eligibility for some routes. For example, not being outside Spain for more than 120 days cumulatively during the required period.
The application can be refused. If so, you may have limited options for appeal. Getting professional advice can help.
While the reform looks more favourable, legal interpretations and regional practices may still create delays or hurdles.
After obtaining the initial permit, to extend or convert it, you’ll need to meet further criteria. It’s not automatic that you’ll move from one year to permanent residency without meeting conditions.
It’s not purely a visa you apply from abroad in most cases; often it’s a residence/work authorisation applied from within Spain, and the applicant must already be in Spain (though there are some variations).