SpainPermanent residence with EU long-term resident status

EU long-term residence in Spain

EU long-term resident status carries the right to live and work without restriction on the same terms as nationals. It requires five years of lawful, continuous residence. Holders gain easier mobility to other European Union countries. The status rests on the EU directives and on Spanish law.

Source: Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones — Hoja informativa 50

Who may apply

The programme is open to foreign nationals who meet the conditions on continuous residence and financial stability.

Single residents

Have lived in Spain lawfully and continuously for 5+ years
Income of at least 150% IPREM per month
Valid passport or travel document

Families with a spouse

Both spouses meet the residence requirements
Joint income: 150% IPREM + 50% per member
Marriage documents and proof of living together

Families with children

The parents have lived lawfully in Spain for 5+ years
Income: 150% IPREM + 50% per child
Birth certificates and documents on financial responsibility

When the programme will not suit

EU, EEA or Swiss nationals

Freedom of movement under EU membership rights; no special visa is needed

Criminal convictions in Spain or in countries of residence over the past five years

Consult an immigration lawyer to assess whether any exception applies

A threat to public order, security or health

A decision by the competent authorities based on an individual assessment

Less than five years of residence in Spain

Temporary residence programmes (work, study, self-employment)

Documents to gather

Every document issued abroad must be apostilled and translated by a certified translator.

Completed form EX-11 (the official application)
Valid passport or travel document
Proof of continuous lawful residence in Spain (municipal register extracts, tenancy agreements, employer certificates)
Financial documents (bank statements, income certificates, tax returns)
Proof of medical insurance (policy with translation)
Criminal record certificate from the country of origin and from every country of residence over the past five years
Apostilled and translated copies of all foreign documents

How the process runs

The process covers preparing the documents, lodging the application and awaiting the administration's decision.

1
Preparing and gathering the documents
2-4 weeks
Gather all the necessary documents: passport, proof of residence, financial certificates, insurance and the criminal record certificate. Have foreign documents apostilled and translated.
2
Completing form EX-11 and paying the fee
1 week
Complete official form EX-11. Pay the administrative fee using form 790 (code 052, heading 2.6) within 10 working days of the application being registered.
3
Lodging the application at the immigration office
1 day
Submit the set of documents to the competent immigration office (usually attached to the police headquarters) together with the receipt for the fee.
4
Administrative examination
3 months
The administration examines the application within three months of registration. If no decision is received in time, positive administrative silence applies and the application is treated as approved.
5
Collecting the resident identity card
1 month after approval
Once approved, you must attend your local police station in person to have the resident card issued (Tarjeta de Identidad de Residente de Larga Duración-UE).

Who you can bring with you

Special conditions apply to family members obtaining long-term resident status.

Spouse

Must meet the residence and income requirements; registered separately with marriage documents and proof of living together

Minor children

Obtain the status through their parents; birth certificates and documents proving parentage are required

Adult children (students or people with disabilities)

May be counted for the financial requirements, but must lodge a separate application and meet the requirements themselves

Trips, renewal and the grace period

Indefinite residence status; the card is subject to periodic renewal.

The EU long-term resident card is valid for five years. The first renewal falls in the fifth year from the date of issue. After the first renewal the card is renewed every five years until the holder turns thirty, and every ten years thereafter. The renewal application is lodged two months before the card expires.

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

The key route to permanent residence: 5 years of lawful continuous residence. Absences of up to 6 consecutive months are allowed, with total absences of no more than 10 months over the 5 years (18 months where the absences are work-related); periods of study and volunteering count at 50%.

Frequently asked questions about EU long-term residence

How are the five years of continuous residence counted?

Continuous residence is counted as presence in Spain without breaks. Absences of up to six consecutive months are allowed, with total absences of no more than ten months over the five years. Where the absence is for work abroad, total absences may run to eighteen months. Periods of study or volunteering count towards the total at fifty per cent.

What level of income is required under the IPREM?

The income required is one hundred and fifty per cent of the public income indicator (IPREM) for a person living alone. A further fifty per cent of the IPREM is required for each additional family member. The exact IPREM figure is recalculated by the state each year.

Can a break in residence affect my right to long-term residence?

Yes, significant breaks can interrupt continuous residence. Absences of up to six consecutive months are allowed, but no more than ten months in total over the five years. If you exceed those limits you may have to start counting again.

What are the medical insurance requirements?

Medical insurance covering the risks normally insured for Spanish nationals is compulsory. The cover may be public, through the Spanish health system, or with a private provider offering equivalent cover. The insurance document must accompany the application.

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.