Arraigo in plain words: what it is and who can apply

What is arraigo?

Official name: autorización de residencia temporal por circunstancias excepcionales por razones de arraigo. It is granted to people who are in Spain and have economic, social or family ties to it, or ties through work or study [1]. The legal basis is article 31, paragraph 3, of Ley Orgánica 4/2000, which also states that no visa is required [5]. The conditions are set out in articles 124-127 of the Reglamento de Extranjería (Real Decreto 1155/2024) [1].

The application is accepted by the oficina de extranjería of your province, and you can also file it electronically through the Mercurio system [3]. Under article 130.1 the foreign national files the application in person; filing through a representative is possible under article 197.4 (a notarised power of attorney or an apud acta power in the electronic register, or through members of a convenio or the Registro de Colaboradores); whether you need one in your case is for a lawyer to decide [1]. It is not a visa and not an investor programme.

What types of arraigo are there?

The general conditions are the same for all types, and each type also has its own special condition [1].

Parents of a child with Spanish nationality fall under a different regime, article 94.1.f [1]. More detail: types of arraigo and arraigo familiar. Separate service page: arraigo.

Who is eligible for arraigo?

You can apply if you are a foreign national in Spain, are not an applicant for international protection, have lived here for two years without interruption and meet the other conditions of article 126 [1]:

• no criminal record in Spain or in the countries where you lived during the five years before entering, for offences that also exist in Spanish law;
• you are not a threat to public order, security or public health;
• the fee is paid (modelo 790, código 052) [3];
• you do not hold a stay or residence permit and are not waiting for a decision on one (letter h, added by Real Decreto 316/2026) [2].

The Reglamento does not define “continuously”. The authorities follow SEM instruction 1/2025 and the information sheet: absences of up to 90 days in total over the two years [3][4]. Time spent while an application for international protection is being processed does not count [1]. How to prove the period: proof of residence.

What does arraigo give you and for how long?

The first permit is valid for one year (five years for familiar) and lets you work as an employee and as self-employed [1]. The exception: with socioformativo you may work as an employee for no more than 30 hours a week [1]. You apply for the TIE card in person within one month of approval [1].

With sociolaboral, once the application is admitted for processing, you may temporarily live and work as an employee, and after approval you need to register (alta) with the Seguridad Social within one month [2]. To renew segunda oportunidad, sociolaboral and social, you need proof that you have been looking for work and are registered with the employment service, except in cases of illness, disability or retirement age [2]. Articles 124-132 of the Reglamento set no deadline for the decision: the ministry’s information sheet gives three months, and silence counts as a refusal [3].

What changed in 2026?

The required period did not change in 2026; what changed are the requirements on the applicant’s status: letter h of Article 126 has applied since 16 April. In addition, Real Decreto 316/2026 clarified who issues the informe de integración social and allowed sociolaboral applicants to work from the start of processing [2].

Two temporary procedures (for international protection applicants and the “arraigo extraordinario”) accepted applications until 30 June 2026; as of 3 October 2026 we found no extension in the BOE [2]. The Tribunal Supremo judgment of 8 July 2026 and the Auto of 1 September 2026 concern family, minors and electronic filing; they do not affect Articles 125-127 [6]. Full breakdown of the period and trips abroad: arraigo in 2026: how many years you need to live in Spain.

Is arraigo an option for someone without a valid permit?

Arraigo is designed for people who are already in Spain, and article 126 does not require legal status at the time you apply. On the contrary, letter h prohibits holding a permit [1][2]. We do not know how an application affects possible sanction proceedings in ordinary arraigo: for the 2026 procedures the Reglamento expressly provides for removal proceedings to be closed after approval, but we found no such rule for the ordinary types [2]. Put this question to a lawyer before you apply. Dates, addresses and documents in the application must be accurate. The steps are set out in the arraigo route card, and the overall path in the residence permit in Barcelona section.

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ReloVictory · Sources reviewed 02.10.2026 · Not a substitute for individual legal advice.