Arraigo social in Spain online: requirements and process

01What it is and who it is for

Arraigo social is a temporary residence permit granted on exceptional grounds. It is governed by Royal Decree 1155/2024, Spain's new Immigration Regulation (Reglamento de Extranjería), in force since 20 May 2025 and amended by Royal Decree 316/2026. It is meant for people who have been living in Spain irregularly, that is without a valid permit, for at least two years and who have built a life here.

Under the old regulation, arraigo social required three years in Spain and usually a job contract. The new rules cut the period to two years and moved the job contract route to a separate permit, arraigo sociolaboral. A study route also exists, arraigo socioformativo. Arraigo social is now for people who can show either family ties or social integration, together with sufficient funds.

There are two ways to meet the specific requirement. The first is having a spouse, registered partner, parent or child who holds a Spanish residence permit. The second, if you have no such relatives, is a favourable social integration report (informe de integración social) issued by your regional government or, where the region has delegated it, by your local council. In both cases you must show funds available in Spain.

Many people reading this are not yet sure which arraigo fits them. The difference is practical: arraigo social is based on family or integration, arraigo sociolaboral on a job contract, and arraigo socioformativo on enrolling in recognised training.

02Requirements

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You must not be a national of the EU, the European Economic Area or Switzerland, nor a family member covered by EU free movement rules.
You must be in Spain and must not have a pending asylum (international protection) claim when you apply or while the application is processed.
You must have lived in Spain continuously for at least the two years before applying. Absences cannot exceed 90 days in total over that period. Time spent as an asylum seeker does not count.
No criminal record in Spain or in the countries where you lived during the five years before entering Spain, for offences that also exist under Spanish law.
You must not pose a threat to public order, security or public health, must not be flagged for refusal of entry in the Schengen area and must not be bound by a commitment not to return to Spain.
You must not hold another stay or residence permit, nor have another immigration application in progress (grant, extension, renewal or change). Royal Decree 316/2026 added this condition.
Family ties with a foreign national legally resident in Spain (spouse, registered partner, parent or child) or, failing that, a favourable social integration report.
Funds available in Spain of at least 100% of IPREM, Spain's public income benchmark (600 euros a month in 2026). If you rely on family ties, the requirement is 100% for the relative plus 100% for you, 1,200 euros a month, and the money may come from the relative you live with.
Payment of the government fee (form 790, code 052, section 2.3.1).

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03Documents

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Official application form EX-10, signed.
Full copy of your valid passport, travel document or registration certificate.
Proof of two years' continuous presence: municipal registration certificates (empadronamiento), public health service records and any document from a Spanish authority showing your details.
Criminal record certificate from every country where you lived in the five years before arriving in Spain, legalised or apostilled and translated by a sworn translator. It is not needed if you have lived in Spain continuously for five years.
Family route: up to date marriage, partnership registration or birth certificate, and your relative's residence permit.
Integration route: the social integration report from your region or council, or proof that you requested it and it was not issued within one month.
Proof of funds: payslips, tax returns or bank certificates of your relative, or self-employment documents if the funds come from your own business.
Receipt for the fee.

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04How we handle it online

Case assessment
We check your evidence of stay, any trips abroad, your criminal record position and whether arraigo social is the right permit or another route suits you better. If you have not yet reached two years, we tell you the earliest date you can apply.
Integration report or proof of family ties
If you have no resident relatives, we explain how to request the integration report from your region or council and what to bring. If you do, we gather the certificates and check whether household income reaches 200% of IPREM.
Document review
We make sure foreign certificates are apostilled or legalised and properly translated, and that your evidence covers the whole two years with no gaps.
Electronic filing
We file the EX-10 and supporting documents as your representatives through the immigration e-filing platform (Mercurio). You do not need to book an appointment or visit the immigration office.
Follow-up
We monitor the file and answer any request for further documents within the deadline, which is never more than fifteen days.
Decision and TIE card
If the permit is granted, we explain how to book the appointment for your foreigner identity card (TIE) within the following month. If it is refused, we assess an appeal.

05Timescales and validity

The immigration office has three months from the date the application enters its register to decide. If no decision is notified within that time, the application is treated as refused by administrative silence, which can be appealed.

The permit lasts one year from notification of the decision. It allows you to work as an employee or self-employed anywhere in Spain and in any sector.

At the end of the year you can extend it for a further year, applying in the two months before it expires. For an arraigo social extension you must still meet the requirements and be registered with the public employment service as actively seeking work, unless illness, disability or retirement age prevents it. If you are already working, the usual next step is a standard residence and work permit under article 191 of the Regulation.

06Do I need to attend anything in person?

We file the application electronically on your behalf. Two steps do require you in person: requesting the integration report, if you use that route, since many regions and councils ask applicants to attend social services; and, once the permit is granted, having your fingerprints taken for the TIE at the police station in your province within one month of notification.

07Common mistakes and reasons for refusal

Gaps in proof of residence: months with no document showing you were in Spain.
Trips abroad adding up to more than 90 days within the two years.
Counting time as an asylum seeker, which does not qualify.
Applying while an asylum claim or another immigration application is still pending.
Underestimating funds: with family ties the threshold doubles to 200% of IPREM.
Criminal record certificates without an apostille or sworn translation, or from the wrong country.
Using a job contract as the basis for arraigo social: under the new rules that belongs to arraigo sociolaboral.

08Frequently asked questions

Do I still need three years in Spain?

No. Since 20 May 2025, Royal Decree 1155/2024 requires two years of continuous residence. Absences cannot add up to more than 90 days over that period.

I have no family in Spain. Can I still apply?

Yes, with a favourable social integration report from your regional government or local council. The report looks at how long you have lived at your address, your funds and your participation in integration programmes such as language or training courses. If the authority does not issue it within one month, you may prove integration by other means.

How much money do I need to show?

At least 100% of IPREM, 600 euros a month in 2026. If you rely on family ties, it is 100% for the relative plus 100% for you, 1,200 euros a month, regardless of how many people live in the household. The funds must be available in Spain.

Can I work while the application is pending?

No. Arraigo social does not give provisional permission to work during processing; that only exists for arraigo sociolaboral. Once the permit is granted you can work as an employee or self-employed.

My asylum claim was refused. When can I apply?

Once the refusal is final, both administratively and, if you appealed, in the courts. Time spent as an asylum seeker does not count towards the two years, but time before and after does. If you withdraw your claim, the count resumes from the withdrawal.

What happens when the year ends?

You can extend for a further year if you still meet the requirements and are registered as a jobseeker, or move to a residence and work permit if you qualify. We help you choose the option that gives you more stability.

Can I apply from outside Spain?

No. Arraigo is only for people already living in Spain. If you are abroad, you will need a visa based route such as work, study or family reunification.

09Legal basis

Organic Law 4/2000, article 31.3
Royal Decree 1155/2024, articles 124 to 127 (arraigo social in article 127.c)
Royal Decree 1155/2024, articles 130 to 132 (procedure, work rights and extension)
Royal Decree 316/2026, amending articles 126, 127.c and 132 of the Regulation
Instructions SEM 1/2025 of the State Secretariat for Migration

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.

Arraigo social in Spain: residence through social ties, handled online

At a glance