SpainRegularisation

Arraigo (rootedness) in Spain

A temporary residence programme for foreign nationals who have spent a long period in Spain, based on social ties, employment, family bonds or participation in education. It was created to help people without regular status integrate into Spanish society. The temporary residence permit is issued for a set period and carries the right to work. It can be renewed or converted into other forms of residence.

Visa term

Residence permit for 1 year; renewal or switch to an ordinary residence and work permit

Processing time

Administrative limit about 3 months; 1–6 months in practice

Work

All types carry the right to work (Formación — up to 30 h/week)

Residence

Genuine residence in Spain

Source: boe.es — Reglamento de Extranjería, RD 1155/2024

Grounds for obtaining Arraigo

Arraigo covers several separate categories, depending on the basis of residence and integration.

Based on employment

a valid employment contract on terms equivalent to standard work permits
a formal job in Spain
compliance with Spanish employment law

Based on family ties

relatives in Spain or evidence of family bonds
an integration report from the autonomous community
evidence of social integration into Spanish society

Based on participation in education

enrolment in or active participation in a study or training programme
official confirmation from the educational institution
funds to cover the course

Based on a second chance

previously held a residence permit
was unable to renew the earlier residence permit
meets the requirements of Spanish law

When the programme will not suit

there are convictions for serious offences or a threat to Spanish security

approach the consulate to look at visa options on other grounds

you have been in Spain for less than the required period of residence

a tourist visa or another short-stay permit

there are no documents evidencing residence in Spain or family ties

labour migration programmes or student visas, where there is a job offer or a university place

Documents to gather

The general list of documents required to apply for a temporary residence permit on grounds of rootedness.

valid passport or another identity document
application on the prescribed form (EX-10 or another, depending on the type)
criminal record certificate from the country of origin
documents confirming presence in Spain for the required period (extract from the municipal register — padrón)
employment contract (for the sociolaboral category) or certificate of enrolment at an educational institution (for the socioformativa category)
documents evidencing family ties or an integration report from the autonomous community (for the social category)
proof of payment of the administrative fee (where required)

How the process runs

Obtaining a temporary residence permit under Arraigo runs through the following main stages.

1
Preparing the documentation
up to 30 days
Gathering all the necessary documents for the chosen category (social, employment, education or second chance). Obtaining the criminal record certificate and evidence of presence on Spanish territory.
2
Lodging the application
1 day
The application is lodged on the prescribed form with the National Police (immigration department) or at a Spanish diplomatic mission (where filed from abroad). All documents are submitted as originals or as notarised copies.
3
Administrative examination
up to 3 months (administrative limit)
The authorities check the documents, the residence history, health and security. Additional information may be requested. In practice the process can take from 1 to 6 months.
4
Receiving the decision
notification within the set period
Notification of approval or refusal. If approved, the foreigner card (TIE — Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) is arranged at the police.
5
Issue of the residence permit
up to 2 weeks after approval
Collection of the plastic temporary residence card, valid for 1 year. The card serves as identification in Spain and confirms the right to work.

Who you can bring with you

The Familiar category (Arraigo Familiar) has its own rules and applies only in certain cases.

parents of minors who are nationals of other EU, EEA or Swiss states

foreign nationals who are parents of minors holding the nationality of another EU/EEA/Swiss state may obtain a residence permit without the standard requirement of two years' presence in Spain. Family categories relating to Spanish citizens are dealt with under separate procedures (Title IV, Chapter VII of the regulation)

Renewal and the grace period

A temporary residence permit under Arraigo is issued for 1 year. Once it expires, the holder may apply to renew it, or to convert the status into another form of temporary residence with the right to work, or into permanent residence, where the conditions of the transitional programmes are met. Time spent in Spain under Arraigo counts towards the overall residence needed for long-term resident status and, later, citizenship.

How it differs from the routes next to it

The comparison is built from the official terms of the routes themselves — the source links sit on their own pages.

	Arraigo (rootedness)	Protección Subsidiaria	Humanitarian protection
Visa term	Residence permit for 1 year; renewal or switch to an ordinary residence and work permit	Residence and work permit (TIE) for about 5 years, renewable	Usually 1 year; annual renewal
Grounds	Roots of 2–3 years	Threat to life	Humanitarian grounds
Money	Social: ≥100% IPREM; Laboral: contract of ≥20 h/week at the SMI; Formación — funds for the course	No state fee; reception and social support	No threshold as with the NLV; treatment and means are assessed
Work	All types carry the right to work (Formación — up to 30 h/week)	Full right to work	Often includes a work permit
Residence	Genuine residence in Spain	Live mainly in Spain	Live mainly in Spain

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

The time counts; long-term residence after 5 years

Route to citizenship

Citizenship: 10 years (general), 2 years (Ibero-American nationals)

Frequently asked questions about Arraigo (rootedness)

What minimum period of residence is required for Arraigo?

Most Arraigo categories (social, employment, education) require a minimum of 2 years of residence in Spain. The exception is the Familiar category, which has no fixed minimum period of presence.

Do all Arraigo categories carry the right to work in Spain?

Yes, every type of temporary residence permit under Arraigo includes the right to work. This is one of the programme's key features, intended to help people integrate into Spanish society and the economy.

What are the requirements for the employment contract under Arraigo Laboral (sociolaboral)?

The employment contract must meet the same conditions as standard temporary residence and employment permits. It must be formally registered and comply with Spanish employment law.

Can an Arraigo holder later switch to another form of residence or obtain citizenship?

Yes. Time spent under Arraigo counts towards the overall period needed for long-term resident status and citizenship. The holder may also apply to convert the permit into other forms of temporary residence where the conditions of the relevant transitional programmes are met.

Which documents prove two years of presence in Spain?

The main document is the extract from the municipal register (Padrón municipal de habitantes), which shows official registration of an address in Spain. Together with other evidence (tenancy agreements, bank statements, utility bills) it can be used to prove continuous presence.

Other ways to move to Spain

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Spain.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.