- Arraigo It is a temporary residence permit "as a matter of fact": it is issued within Spain, is not required for a visa and is based on ties with the country (work, family, studies, old status) [1][5].
- Five species: segunda oportunidad, social, social, socioformativo and familiar. [1].
- Four species require two years of uninterrupted stay before delivery, no time required for familial. 90 days of absence (90 days in two years) are given by SEM and a reference sheet, no in Reglamento [1][4].
- You cannot apply if you have already obtained a residence permit or are waiting for a decision on it: the ban has been imposed by Real Decreto 316/2026 since 16 April 2026 (art. 126, letter h) [2].
- The decision is not specified in Reglamento; the Ministry's reference lists are three months and consider silence as a refusal. [3].
What is arraigo?
Official name: autorización de residencia temporal por circunstancias excepciónles por razones de arraigo, received by those in Spain who are economically, socially, in the family, through work or study [1]B. Basis of the law: Article 31 (3) Ley Orgánica 4/2000, it is also stated that no visa is required [5]IV. Conditions are described in articles 124-127 of the Reglamento de Extranjería (Real Decreto 1155/2024) [1].
The application is accepted by the Oicina de extrandjería of your province and can be submitted electronically through the Mercurio system. [3]The application under article 130.1 shall be made by the alien himself; the application by the representative may be made under article 197.4 (notary power or apud acta in the electronic registry, or through the participants in the convenio or Registro de Colaboradores); whether the request is required in your case, it is decided by the lawyer. [1]It's not a visa or an investment program.
What kinds of arraigo are there?
The general conditions are the same for all species, and everyone has their own special conditions. [1].
| View | Special condition | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| De segunda oportunidad | There was a residence permit issued for non-exceptional reasons and it was not extended for reasons other than order, safety and health | 1 year |
| Sociolaboral | One or more contracts, together with 20 hours a week, pay at least SMI, with the rate taken into account | 1 year |
| Social | Resident relatives and funds of 100% IPREM, and without such relatives informe de intergración social | 1 year |
| Socioformativo | Programme of study from the roster and informe de intergración social | 1 year |
| Familiar | Parent or guardian of a minor from another EU country, EEA or Switzerland (not from Spain) | 5 years |
The parents of a Spanish child are entitled to a different regime, article 94.1.f. [1]I'll give you more details: Arraigo species and arraigo familiarI. Separate service page: arraigo.
Who can claim arraigo?
An alien who is in Spain may claim not to be a complainant for international protection, has lived here for two years without interruption and meets the other conditions of article 126 [1]:
- There are no convictions in Spain or in the countries where you have lived in the last five years prior to entry, if there are any in Spanish law;
- You do not pose a threat to public order, safety or health;
- duty paid (modelo 790, code 052) [3];
- you do not hold a residence permit or wait for a decision on it (para. h, added Real Decreto 316/2026) [2].
The "continuous" Reglamento does not define: the authority is guided by SEM 1/025 and the reference sheet: up to 90 days of absence in two years [3][4]The time of consideration of an application for international protection is not counted [1]How to prove time: proof of residence.
What gives arraigo and for how long?
The first permit is valid for a year (familar 5 years) and allows for employment and self-employment [1]II. Exemption: in socioformativo, employment may be limited to 30 hours per week [1]I. TIE card is ordered in person, within a month of approval [1].
In sociolaboral, the applicant is temporarily entitled to live and work, and after approval, an alta is required at Segurid Social for a month. [2]The extension of segunda oportunidad, social and social needs a confirmed job search and employment account, except for sickness, disability and retirement age [2]The time limit for the decision is not specified in articles 124-132 of Reglamento: the Ministry ’s reference list indicates three months, silence is considered as a refusal [3].
What changed in 2026?
The period of 2026 did not change, the status of the complainant changed: since 16 April, article 126, paragraph h, and Real Decreto 316/2026, who issued the informe de intergracion social, and allowed to work for social service from the beginning of the examination [2]Two interim procedures (for defence applicants and "arraigo extraordinario") accepted applications until 30 June 2026, and no extensions to BOE on 3 October 2026 were found. [2]The decisions of the Tribunal Supremo of 8 and 29 July 2026 concern the family, minors and electronic submission, articles 125 to 127 are not affected [6]III. Full review of dates and departures: arraigo in 2026: how many years to live.
Does arraigo fit a person without a valid permit?
Arraigo is intended for people already in Spain and article 126 does not require legal status at the time of submission. [1][2]As the statement affects possible sanctions proceedings in ordinary arraigo, we do not know: for 2026 proceedings Reglamento expressly provides for the archives of the removal proceedings after approval, for ordinary types of such rules we have not found [2]This is a question for a lawyer before filing. Arraigo routeand the general path in the section Residence permit in Barcelona.
Frequent issues
How long does it take to live in Spain for arraigo?
Can you work arraigo?
Can you apply for arraigo with a student card?
Do you need to know Spanish for arraigo?
Arraigo and JP: Is that the same thing?
Based on source
- BOE · Real Decreto 1155/2024 (Reglamento de Extranjeria), consolidated text on 22.09.2026 ♪
- BOE · Real Decreto 316/2026, changes Reglamento (BOE 15.04.2026) ♪
- Ministry of Inclusion · Hoja 28: arraigo social (updated April 2026) ♪
- Secretariat of Estado de Migracions · Instruments SEM 1/2025 on arraigo ♪
- BOE · Ley Orgánica 4/2000, articles 16-18 bis and 31 ♪
- BOE · Sentencia Tribunal Supremo of 08.07.2026 and Auto of 1.09.2026 to Reglamento (BOE 22.09.2026)
Sources are viewed on 02.10.2026. Consolidated texts and departmental reference pages are informative: legal application takes into account official publications, changes and specific circumstances. Material has not been personally checked by counsel.
Turn the information into questions.
The navigator will help to gather topics for individual review; it does not define the right to residence or submit an application.
Collect a memoThe NEXO working conditions: 30 minutes free of charge, full consultation 121 I in 45 minutes; maintenance costs are charged separately, fees and transfers. about the team..
You want to go on your own? Barcelona residence permit: from Empadronamiento to TIE and Formulas based on grounds.
Related materials
The source is viewed on 02.10.2026 · NEXO · Drafting Draft · Sources do not replace individual legal advice.