Second chance arraigo Spain: apply online

01What it is and who it is for

Second chance arraigo is one of the new routes created by Royal Decree 1155/2024, Spain's Immigration Regulations in force since 20 May 2025. It addresses a very common problem: people who had lived legally in Spain for years and fell out of status because they did not apply for renewal on time, or because renewal was refused for not meeting a requirement, such as enough months of social security contributions.

Under the old regulations those people had to start again and wait three years before applying for arraigo. Now they can apply for this permit if they held legal residence at some point in the two years before applying and have lived in Spain continuously for two years.

It does not cover every way of losing a permit. The previous permit must not itself have been granted on exceptional grounds (an earlier arraigo, for example), and the renewal must not have failed on grounds of public order, security or public health. It is also unavailable where the permit was withdrawn for a reason other than simply expiring, such as fraud or use for a purpose other than the one authorised.

02Requirements

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In the two years immediately before applying, you held a residence permit that was not granted on exceptional grounds and that could have been renewed or extended.
The renewal did not happen because the deadline passed or because it was refused for not meeting the requirements. Refusal on public order, security or public health grounds rules this route out, unless the criminal case was dismissed or ended in acquittal.
The permit did not end for any reason other than reaching its expiry date (for example, fraud or withdrawal).
You have lived in Spain continuously for at least the two years before applying. Under Secretary of State for Migration Instruction 1/2025, absences must not exceed 90 days in that period.
You are in Spain and are not an asylum applicant when you apply or while the application is processed.
No criminal record in Spain or in the countries where you lived during the five years before entering Spain.
You are not a threat to public order, security or public health, are not listed as inadmissible in countries with an agreement with Spain, and are not within a no-return period.
You hold no other permit and have no other immigration application pending (a rule added by Royal Decree 316/2026).
Payment of the government fee using form 790, code 052, section 2.3.1.

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03Documents

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Application form EX-10, completed and signed.
Full copy of your valid passport or travel document.
Copy of your last foreigner's identity card (TIE) or the decision granting your previous permit, and any decision refusing renewal.
Evidence of continuous presence in Spain over the last two years: town hall registration (empadronamiento), medical records, contracts, receipts, bank statements or other dated documents in your name.
Criminal record certificates from the countries where you lived in the five years before entering Spain, apostilled or legalised and translated. Not needed if you have lived in Spain for the last five years without interruption.
Receipt for the fee payment.

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04How we handle it online

Review of the lost permit
We look at the type of permit you held, when it expired and why it was not renewed. That decides whether this route is open or whether something else is better, such as appealing the refusal.
Checking the dates
We confirm that the application falls within the two-year window and that your time in Spain covers two years without long absences.
Preparing the file
You receive a document checklist and we review every piece of evidence of residence before filing.
Online filing
We file the application on your behalf through the Mercurio platform. You do not need to book an appointment.
Follow-up
We deal with any request from the immigration office and tell you the outcome.
Renewal and next step
We remind you of the renewal date in good time and plan the move to an ordinary permit so you do not fall out of status again.

05Timescales and validity

The immigration office has three months from registration to decide. If it does not reply within that time, the application is treated as refused and you can appeal.

The permit lasts one year. It can be extended for further one-year periods if you show you are actively looking for work and registered with the public employment service. Since Royal Decree 316/2026 this is not needed if a justified reason prevents you from working, such as illness, disability or having reached retirement age. The extension is requested in the two months before expiry or within three months afterwards, with a possible fine.

Keep the time limit in mind: once more than two years have passed since you lost your permit, this route closes and another form of arraigo would be needed.

06Do I need to attend anything in person?

We file the application electronically. Once it is approved, you must apply in person for your TIE within one month at the police station or immigration office for your area, where your fingerprints are taken.

07Common mistakes and reasons for refusal

Letting more than two years pass since the permit was lost.
Using this route when an appeal would be better: if renewal was refused recently, challenging that decision is sometimes the stronger option.
Being unable to prove continuous presence, especially for the months after the TIE expired.
Trips abroad while out of status that break continuity.
Relying on a previous arraigo or another exceptional-grounds permit, which does not qualify.
Applying while another immigration procedure is still open.

08Frequently asked questions

My card expired and I did not renew it in time. Can I apply?

Yes, this is a typical case. If the permit was an ordinary one, you apply within two years and you have lived in Spain continuously for two years, you meet the basis of this route. We first check whether you are still within the three-month window for a late renewal, which may be simpler.

My renewal was refused because I did not have enough contributions. Does this route apply?

Yes. Refusal for not meeting the renewal requirements is one of the situations expressly accepted in Instruction 1/2025. Only refusal on public order, security or public health grounds is excluded.

My last permit was arraigo social. Can I use this route?

No, because the previous permit must not have been granted on exceptional grounds. We would look at another form of arraigo or at extending the one you had.

Can I work while the application is pending?

No. Unlike arraigo sociolaboral, this route gives no provisional right to work during processing. You can work from the date it is granted.

How long does it last and what comes next?

It lasts one year and can be extended year by year if you are looking for work and registered as a jobseeker. The sensible aim is to move to an ordinary residence and work permit as soon as possible.

What if it is refused?

You can file an appeal for reconsideration (recurso de reposición) within one month, or go to the administrative courts within two months of notification. We review the grounds and advise whether to appeal or reapply.

09Legal basis

Royal Decree 1155/2024, Articles 125.1.a), 126, 127.a), 130, 131 and 132
Royal Decree 1155/2024, Article 200 (termination of permits)
Royal Decree 316/2026 of 14 April (Articles 126.h and 132.2.a)
Organic Law 4/2000, Article 31.3
Secretary of State for Migration Instructions 1/2025, first and second instructions

Information reviewed on 03.10.2026 against the law in force. This page is for general information and is not a substitute for advice on your own case.

Second chance arraigo in Spain: regaining residence you could not renew

At a glance