In short: arraigo de segunda oportunidad ("second-chance arraigo") is a residence authorisation on exceptional grounds for people who held a residence permit (not granted on exceptional grounds) within the two years immediately before applying, could not renew it for reasons other than public order, security or public health, and have stayed in Spain continuously for the last two years (Hoja 27, inclusion.gob.es).
In person or by representative? Filed personally (legal representative for minors/persons with disability — SEM 1/2024): at your provincial Immigration Office or online via Mercurio.
Requirements (Hoja 27)
- Having held a residence authorisation — not an exceptional-grounds one — in the two years immediately before the application.
- The non-renewal happened for reasons other than public order, security or public health (filing is possible where there is an acquittal, case dismissal or a negative-sentence ruling (sentencia denegatoria)).
- 2 years of continuous stay in Spain before applying (time as an international-protection applicant does not count).
- Not an international-protection applicant when filing or during processing; not an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen or family member under the EU regime.
- No criminal record in Spain or in the countries where you lived during the 5 years before entering Spain; pay the fee; not holding another authorisation or having other residence procedures under way.
Documents (Hoja 27): signed form EX-10; full copy of your passport (or travel document/registration card); proof of the 2 years' continuous stay (documents from Spanish administrations: padrón, healthcare, etc.); criminal-record certificates from the countries where you lived during the 5 years before entering Spain (sworn translation and apostille/legalisation where needed).
Decision: 3 months; no reply = rejected by administrative silence (what to do). If granted, it allows working employed or self-employed with no geographic or occupational limits. Duration: 1 year; then switch to an ordinary residence-and-work permit (art. 191) or renew yearly by proving active job search and public-employment-service registration (except illness, disability or retirement age).
Steps
- Locate your old permit (type and dates) and check it expired within the previous 2 years and the non-renewal was not for public-order/security/health reasons.
- Gather proof of the 2 years' continuous stay and the criminal-record certificates (5 years before entering Spain).
- File form EX-10 at your provincial Immigration Office or via Mercurio.
- Pay the fee, form 790 code 052 (heading 2.3.1) within 10 working days.
- If granted: apply in person for the TIE card within 1 month (documents).
Official source: Information sheet 27 — inclusion.gob.es · RD 1155/2024, arts. 124-132.
Informational only; check the official source and a professional for your specific case.
