The Spanish introduction of individual review

Arraigo in Spain: species, period of residence and evidence

We check the type of arraigo you want, we count the period of residence on the documents, we prepare the evidence, and we help you request the integration report, the rules are given under Real Decreto 1155/2024, as amended by Real Decreto 316/2026 and the Tribunal Supermo 2026 decisions.

Short

Species
5 species of arraigo
segunda oportunidad, sociolaboral, social, socioformativo, familiar
Period
2 years continuously in Spain
No minimum for arraigo familiar
Time limit
1 year
5 years
Delivery
From Spain, without a visa.
is not suitable under an existing authorization or procedure
Work
Authorization gives work
socioformativo up to 30 hours per week
Provisional procedures 2026
The reception ended on 30.06.2026.
Normal species remain

Who's right and who's not.

Arraigo, literally "installation", gives temporary residence to those who already live in Spain and are associated with it, family, studies or previous status, and the species determines the evidence (arts. 124-127 Reglamento).

It fits.

  • You've been in Spain for at least two years continuously, and you don't have a valid permit.
  • There is a contract or contracts that give 20 hours of work per week (sociolaboral)
  • There is a family with a legal resident and funds or an integration report (social) option
  • You are studying or enrolled in a study (socioformativo) or you have had a residence permit for the last two years (segunda oportunidad)
  • You are the parent or guardian of a child from the EU, EEA or Switzerland (familar)

Not appropriate.

  • You're not in Spain yet: the application is filed while in the country.
  • You already have a residence permit or a residence permit or a procedure under way: this has been an obstacle since 16 April 2006 (art. 126, letter h)
  • You are an applicant for international protection, and the decision is not final: ordinary arraigo is not applied (art. 126)
  • You hope for the 2026 interim procedures, which ended on 30.06.2026.

If you're not sure what's going on, start with the article. arraigo in simple words and comparative basis Can you change the basis of the residence permit?.

Arraigo species and requirements

The general conditions are the same for all but familial: you have lived in Spain for two consecutive years, you have no threat to public order, you have no criminal record, you are not an applicant for international protection, you have no other permit and you have paid a duty.

ViewWhat the Rules requireWhat does that mean in practice
Segunda oportunidadIn the last two years before you applied, you had a residence permit (not for exceptional reasons) which was not extended for reasons other than public order and security.Chronology of the previous residence permit and the reason why it was not renewed. Distribution of segunda
SociolaboralContract or contracts with payment not less than the minimum (or collective agreement) of only 20 hours per weekThe employer must comply with the requirements of article 74, except for labour market checks. Disbursement of social
SocialRelatives with a residence permit (spouse, registered partner, parent or child) and funds at least 100% of IPREM available in Spain. If no such relationship exists, evaluate integration efforts.For a familyless option, you need an integration report. Arraigo social
SocioformativoYou are enrolled in the list of regulations or have committed to a course of employment service in a scarce profession, plus integration reportConfirmation of the admission is required within three months of the decision. Socioformativo
FamiliarParent or guardian of a minor EU, EEA or Switzerland (or a person who supports, lives with or fulfils obligations towards a person with disabilities)Two years' residence is not required, five years' permit. Arraigo family

Overview of species: arraigo in Spain: species and current conditions.

Two years, as they say.

The regulations require a continuous stay in Spain for at least two years before submission, and the length of departures is not allowed. The time for the consideration of an application for international protection before the final decision is made in those two years is not included. We are building a timeline of entry dates, departures, addresses and past procedures on documents, not on memory, because one certificate of residence registration rarely reveals the whole story. How long to live and what periods are taken into account.

Evidence of residence

The law does not give a closed list. Generalita calls a historical certificate of registration (volante de emadronamiento Histórico) and other admissible documents. The complex works: the more independent evidence is given each month, the better.

  • Historical certificate of residence registration: volante de empadronamiento in Barcelona
  • Medical records, medical records, school documents and courses
  • Bank statements, leases, utility accounts, transfers
  • Tickets, passport stamps, inter-agency correspondence, previous contracts

How can we gather them together in the timeline? evidence of residence for arraigoThe non-judicial certificate is requested from the countries where you have lived in the last five years before your entry into Spain. If you have been living in Spain for five years continuously, a third country certificate is not required (art. 130). Indictability certificate from Spain (anti-edientes penales).

Informe de integración in Catalonia

Integration reports are mandatory for socioformativo, and social reports are required if you do not have suitable family ties. It confirms the duration of residence at the address, means and efforts of integration: programs, courses, language skills. In Catalonia, it is issued by Generalitat, which is usually requested at the place of registration. Regulations refer to the period of one month, the page Generalitat indicates up to 30 working days. They gave it to me on time, it's proven, and other evidence is admissible. informe de integración in Catalonia.

Method of step application

  1. Chronology and species. We write dates, addresses, past procedures, select a type and check general conditions, including prohibition under current status.
  2. Evidence and background. We order historical registrations, criminal records, documents by type: contract, report, confirmation of admission.
  3. Checking the folder. For every document, we're saying what it proves, but we're not taking it out.
  4. The pitch. Under article 130.1, the application is made by the alien himself, the representative is allowed only for minors and persons who need legal support, and the compulsory electronic application under article 197.2 of the Tribunal Supremo has revoked the decisions of 8 and 29 July 2026, the method of making the application more precise, and the incomplete documents are returned by the agency to the correction (up to 15 days).
  5. After the decision. TIE card for a month: In the case of social security, the permit is valid after registration in social insurance within a month of notification.
  6. Extension. Two months before the end or three months after.

Duration and duration

WhatDuration
AuthorizationOne year, arraigo familiar five years
WorkThe permit gives the right to work independently. Socioformativo is limited to 30 hours a week. If sociolaboral work is possible from the time of acceptance of the application for consideration.
Integration reportOne month by regulation, up to 30 working days by Generalitat
Correction of deficienciesUp to 15 days, otherwise the case is closed.
ExtensionFor segunda portunidad, social and social needs registration as job-seekers, exceptions: illness, disability, retirement age.
Department DecisionThe Reglamento does not specify the time limit for the decision for the arraigo; the Ministry's reference sheet (Hoja 28, arraigo social) refers to three months and allows silence (silencia negativo); the information is checked before the application. silencio positivo

The deadline and the line we don't control.

Typical Errors

  • Two years on the first registration. Registration by place of residence may reflect a later beginning than real residence or vice versa.
  • They are served under the status or procedure in force. From 16 April to 2026, it's a violation of the general requirement. desistimiento and caducidad.
  • The contract isn't worth hours or money. It takes 20 hours a week and is paid at least as low as the minimum or by collective agreement.
  • The incriminating certificate is not from those countries. Countries and years determine five years before entering Spain.
  • The integration report was requested late. Ask in advance: the time limit for extradition may take a month or more.
  • They're on provisional duty for 2026. They closed on 30.06.2026.
  • Not confirmed by socioformativo. Three months after the decision, the permit is terminated.

How we work and what is paid separately

First consultation: 30 minutes free. Full individual consultation: 121 I in 45 minutes. Next we count the value individually and draw up the estimates you sign before you start work. Prepaid: 50% before you start work and 50% before you file. State fees and transfers are paid separately. We are in charge before the agency decides. Request corrections and re-suit are included in the cost, appeal. We don't promise approval or be responsible for the timing of the responses of the agencies: the decision is made by the public authority.

We collect the timeline, select the view, check the folder. Since the application under Article 130.1 is submitted in person, we prepare the package and accompany you when you submit the application, and the responses to the agency's queries are prepared with you. If your story is complex (former refusals, procedure crossing), you need to have a case-by-case review before filing.

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Frequent issues

What is arraigo and how many species?
The regulations refer to five types: segunda oportunidad, social, social, social and family (art. 125).
How long do you have to live in Spain?
At least two consecutive years before filing. Arraigo familiar does not require a minimum. The time to consider international protection before a final decision is counted.
How can we prove two years of residence?
A set of documents: historical certificate of residence registration, medical and school records, bank statements, leases, tickets, one document rarely resolves the issue.
What is informe de integración, and where do you get it?
This is a report on integration efforts, which is issued by Generalitat in Catalonia, which is usually requested in ajuntation at the place of registration. It is needed for socioformativo and for social without family ties.
Can you apply for arraigo with the valid permit?
No. Article 126, supplemented by Real Decreto 316/2026, does not allow an application if you have a residence permit or a residence permit or a procedure under it.
Can you work during the review?
If sociolaboral yes, from the time of acceptance of the application for consideration, the right to work shall in other cases grant the permit granted.
How long are the arraigos issued and how are they extended?
For a year, five years' Familial, two months' extension, for some types of registration as job-seekers or students.
Is the emergency arraigo 2026 in force?
The two interim procedures have ended on 30.06.2026. Applications filed on time are processed and new applications are not accepted.
Do you need a certificate of indictability?
Yes, from the countries where you lived the last five years before you entered Spain. If you live in Spain continuously for all five years, you don't need a third-country certificate. The Spanish agency does the checks itself.

Take a look at the details.

Sources

The consolidated BOE texts are referenced and do not replace the individual advice of a lawyer or tax and administrative specialist (gradoada social).

How does this apply to your situation?

Choose a first step in the short quiz or discuss your questions with the NEXO team.