SpainHumanitarian protection

Humanitarian protection in Spain

A temporary residence permit for foreign nationals without regular status where there are exceptional humanitarian circumstances. It may be granted to victims of crime, to people with serious illnesses and to those who would face danger on return home. The permit includes an unrestricted work authorisation covering both employment and self-employment.

Visa term

Usually 1 year; annual renewal

Threshold

No threshold as with the NLV; treatment and means are assessed

Processing time

Administrative limit about 3 months; longer in practice

Work

Often includes a work permit

Source: inclusion.gob.es — residence permit on humanitarian grounds

Who may apply for Razones Humanitarias

The programme is aimed at particular categories of foreign nationals. Check whether you meet the core requirements before applying.

Victims of crime

Victims of human trafficking
Victims of labour exploitation
Victims of hate crime
Victims of domestic violence

People with medical circumstances

Have a serious illness
Require specialist treatment in Spain
That treatment is unavailable in the country of origin
Documented by medical reports

People in danger

Would be in danger on return home
Have faced persecution based on personal characteristics
Documented by court decisions
Cannot obtain protection from their own state

When the programme will not suit

Nationals of the EU, EEA or Switzerland

Freedom of movement regime for EU citizens

People with criminal convictions in Spain or in previous countries of residence over the past 5 years

A request to have the conviction cancelled, or another programme

People with no documentary evidence of humanitarian circumstances

Other temporary residence programmes

Documents to gather

The documents required establish your identity, the absence of criminal convictions and the humanitarian circumstances. Foreign documents must be translated by certified translators and apostilled or legalised at a consulate.

Completed form EX-10 (the official application form)
Valid passport or travel document
Criminal record certificate from Spain
Criminal record certificates from previous countries of residence
Evidence of the humanitarian circumstances (court orders, medical reports, security documentation)
Translated and apostilled foreign documents

How the process runs

Filing and examining the application runs through several stages with official deadlines.

1
Lodge the application at the Immigration Office
At any time
Submit the completed form EX-10 with all required documents to your local Immigration Office or through the Ministry's electronic portal. Make sure every foreign document has been translated and apostilled.
2
Pay the state fee
Within 10 working days
Pay the state fee using form 790, code 052. A late payment may lead to the application being rejected.
3
Formal examination of the application
Up to 3 months
The administration examines your application within the set period. If you receive no notification within that time, the application may be treated as refused by administrative silence.
4
Collect the foreigner card at the police station
Within one month
If approved, you must apply for the foreigner card at your local police station. This document is mandatory in order to live and work in Spain.

Trips, renewal and the grace period

Live mainly in Spain

The permit is valid for one year. You may renew it for successive periods of one year each. A renewal application may be filed within the two months before the permit expires or within three months after expiry.

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.

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

Which crimes make a permit on humanitarian grounds possible?

The permit may be granted to victims of human trafficking, labour exploitation, hate crime and domestic violence. Documentary evidence is required.

If I receive the permit, will I be able to work in Spain?

Yes, the permit automatically includes an unrestricted work authorisation. You may work as an employee or be self-employed anywhere in Spain.

How long does it take to examine the application?

The official examination period is three months from the date the complete application is lodged. If the administration does not notify you within that period, this may be treated as refusal by administrative silence.

Is a state fee payable on the application?

Yes, a state fee must be paid using form 790, code 052 within ten working days of lodging the application. The exact amount is set by Spanish law.

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.