01What it is and who it is for
Temporary residence permits in Spain last less than five years and must be renewed if you want to stay legally. This page explains renewal (renovación) under Royal Decree 1155/2024, the immigration regulations in force since 20 May 2025, for the most common permits: residence and work as an employee, residence and work as a self-employed person, family reunification and non-lucrative residence (residencia no lucrativa, for people living on their own means without working).
One-year permits based on social, work or family ties (arraigo) follow a different path: as the expiry date approaches you normally apply to switch to a residence and work permit, or in some cases for an extension. Once you have five years of continuous legal residence you no longer renew: you apply for long-term residence instead.
Renewal is not a formality. The immigration office checks that you still meet the conditions of your permit: a job or business activity, sufficient income, the family link, schooling of your children and no criminal record. A well-prepared renewal avoids requests for more documents and refusals.
02Requirements
Tick what you already have. Your ticks stay on this device only; nothing is sent to us.
03Documents
Tick what you already have. Your ticks stay on this device only; nothing is sent to us.
04How we handle it online
- Checking dates
We check your permit's expiry date and tell you the exact two-month window for filing.
- Reviewing your grounds
We work out which ground you can renew on: current contract, new contract, months worked, unemployment, a family member with means, or self-employment.
- Gathering documents
We collect your work history, certificates and other documents, and spot problems early, such as Social Security debts or gaps in contributions.
- Electronic filing
We file the renewal on Mercurio, the immigration authorities' online platform. You do not need an appointment or to travel.
- Follow-up and card
We answer any request for documents and track the three-month deadline. Once the renewal is granted, we explain how to apply for your new card.
05Timescales and validity
You apply for renewal in the two months before your permit expires. Filing in that window automatically extends your current permit until a decision is made, so you can keep living in Spain and, if your permit allows it, working.
You can still apply within three months after expiry, with the same extension. In that case the authorities may open penalty proceedings for a minor offence, punishable by a fine of up to 500 euros. Once those three months have passed, the permit can no longer be renewed and you will need to look at another route to regain legal status.
The immigration office has three months to decide. If it does not respond in that time, the renewal is deemed granted by positive administrative silence. The renewed permit runs from the day after the old one expired, so there is no gap.
A renewed residence and work permit, whether as an employee or self-employed, lasts four years, as does a renewed family reunification permit. A renewed non-lucrative permit lasts two years. If by the time you renew you already qualify for long-term residence, you should apply for that instead.
06Do I need to attend anything in person?
The application is filed online and you do not have to go to the immigration office. The in-person part comes afterwards: within one month of being notified of the renewal you must apply in person for your new foreigner's identity card (TIE, tarjeta de identidad de extranjero) at the police station for your area, where your fingerprints are taken, and then go back to collect it.
07Common mistakes and reasons for refusal
- Filing late, especially more than three months after expiry.
- Not having worked the minimum time required, or long periods without Social Security registration.
- Tax or Social Security debts that are neither explained nor justified.
- Not proving that children of compulsory school age attend school.
- For non-lucrative residence, falling short of the income threshold or spending fewer than 183 days in Spain in the year.
- New criminal convictions while the permit was valid.
- Forgetting to apply for the TIE within a month of approval.
08Frequently asked questions
When do I need to renew my Spanish residence permit?
In the two months before it expires. If you miss that window, you can still file in the three months after expiry, but you may be fined for a minor offence.
Can I keep working while my renewal is pending?
Yes, if you filed on time. The application extends your current permit until a decision is made, with the same rights you had. Keep the filing receipt to show your employer or the police if asked.
How long is a renewed permit valid now?
Under the 2024 regulations, residence and work permits (employed or self-employed) and family reunification permits are renewed for four years. Non-lucrative residence is renewed for two years. Once you reach five years of legal residence, you can apply for long-term residence.
What if I have been unemployed?
It does not necessarily stop you renewing. You can renew if, for example, you worked at least three months a year and have a new contract or are registered with Social Security, lost your job through no fault of your own and stayed registered as a jobseeker, are receiving contributory unemployment benefit, or have a family member who can show enough income to sponsor you.
What if I hear nothing within three months?
The renewal is deemed granted by administrative silence. We can request a certificate confirming this so that you can apply for your card.
My permit expired more than three months ago. What now?
It can no longer be renewed. We need to look at another way to regain legal residence, for example a permit based on social ties (arraigo) if you meet the conditions. The sooner we review your case, the more options there usually are.
I have a one-year arraigo permit. How do I renew it?
The usual route is to apply, in the two months before it expires, to switch to a residence and work permit, which can last four years if you have been resident for a year and your permit already allowed you to work. In some cases a one-year extension is possible, for instance if you are actively looking for work and registered with the public employment service.
09Legal basis
- Organic Law 4/2000, Articles 31, 38, 52(b) and 55
- Royal Decree 1155/2024, Article 64 (non-lucrative residence) and Article 71 (family reunification)
- Royal Decree 1155/2024, Articles 80 and 81 (employees)
- Royal Decree 1155/2024, Articles 86 and 87 (self-employed)
- Royal Decree 1155/2024, Articles 132 (extension of exceptional-circumstances permits) and 191 (change of permit)
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.