Legalisation and residence in Spain

How to get or renew your residence: arraigo, residence and work, family reunification, long-term residence, temporary protection and more. Each route with its requirements and a link to the official rule.

• Interior–UNHCR 2026 agreement: Spain funds asylum-system reinforcement with €290,850 2026 Interior Ministry-UNHCR agreement: Spain funds 290,850 € for 5 UNHCR specialists reinforcing the asylum procedure, with focus on unaccompanied minors.
• Agreement between the Ministerio del Interior and ACNUR on the asylum procedure in Spain Agreement between Spain's Interior Ministry and UNHCR supporting the asylum procedure (interpretation, technical assistance). Institutional cooperation, not an individual service.
• Resolution 3-06-2026 SEM — instructions to authorize temporary residence of Sahrawi minors (Programme «Vacaciones en Paz 2026») The 3-06-2026 SEM Resolution publishes the Council of Ministers Agreement (2-06-2026) setting the procedure to authorize temporary residence of Sahrawi minors and monitors under the Vacaciones en Paz 2026 programme.
• Arraigo with Ukrainian temporary protection in Spain: form EX-10 and 38.28 € fee Arraigo with temporary protection in Spain (Ukraine): which type fits, form EX-10, 38.28 € fee, 3-month decision with negative silence and a 1-year permit.
• Arraigo familiar in Spain: who qualifies after RD 1155/2024 (Hoja 31) Arraigo familiar 2026: only for parents/guardians of an EU/EEA/Swiss minor and carers of an EU person with a disability. No minimum stay. Requirements and documents.
• Arraigo de segunda oportunidad: if you had papers and could not renew them (Hoja 27) Arraigo de segunda oportunidad 2026: for people who held (non-exceptional) residence in the previous 2 years and could not renew it. Requirements, documents (EX-10), deadlines.
• Arraigo social in Spain: requirements, integration report and documents (Hoja 28) Arraigo social 2026: 2 years in Spain + family ties with 200% IPREM or a social-integration report. Requirements, documents (EX-10, fee 790-052) and deadlines.
• Arraigo for training (socioformativo) in Spain: regularising through study Arraigo for training 2026: 2 years in Spain, enrolment in regulated training or a SEPE training commitment, plus an integration report. Requirements.
• Arraigo sociolaboral requirements in Spain: contract and documents Arraigo sociolaboral 2026: 2 years in Spain + work contract(s) of ≥20 h/week at minimum wage. Requirements, documents (EX-10, fee 790-052), deadlines and renewal.
• Arraigo in Spain 2026: types, requirements and which one fits you Arraigo in Spain after RD 1155/2024: the five types (social, socio-labour, socio-training, family, second-chance) and the requirements of each. Common requirement: 2 years in Spain.
• How to apply for international protection (asylum) in Spain (2026) How to apply for asylum in Spain: in person or at the border, where a decision is due within four days, and the applicant receipt. Law 12/2009, EU Pact.
• New asylum procedures in Spain under the EU Pact: timelines, rights and how applications are processed from 12 June 2026 From 12 June 2026 new asylum procedures apply in Spain (EU Regulations 2024/1348 and 2024/1351): border procedure (4 days / 12 weeks), accelerated examination and examination procedures, and legal assistance.
• Appealing an asylum refusal: what changes under the EU Pact from 12 June 2026 (administrative review no longer interrupts the judicial deadline) From 12 June 2026, an administrative review in international protection does not interrupt the deadline to appeal to the courts. Decisions can be challenged directly in court. Instruction BOE-A-2026-12856.
• Residence permit for a seriously ill child in Spain: family can apply too When a child gets humanitarian residence for a serious illness that started in Spain, their family living with them can request it too (Criterio 1/2026).
• International teleworker (digital nomad) residence permit / visa — requirements Requirements for Spain's international teleworker (digital nomad) visa and residence permit under Ley 14/2013: economic means of 200% of the SMI (≈€2,850/month holder, +75% for the first family member), health insurance, criminal record, online filing with the UGE-CE and a 3-year permit.
• Corrigendum to EU Regulation 2024/1351 on asylum and migration management Corrigendum to EU Regulation 2024/1351 on asylum and migration management (OJEU, 18 Sept 2026): wording fixes in 6 points of the text; no change to rights or deadlines.
• CREADE centres in Spain 2026: addresses in Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga, Torrevieja CREADE centres in Spain 2026: Pozuelo (Madrid), Málaga, Barcelona, Torrevieja. Addresses, booking by phone and where to apply for temporary protection.
• Spain's 2026 regularisation: provisional work authorisation survives silence Spain regularisation (RD 316/2026): negative silence after 3 months does not end your provisional work authorisation; only an express refusal does.
• Temporary protection for people displaced from Ukraine extended until 4 March 2028 (EU Decision 2026/1912) EU Decision 2026/1912 extends temporary protection for Ukrainians to 4 March 2028. The military condition applies only to new applications.
• PhD in Spain visa for foreigners: research residence permit, not a student stay Criterio de Gestión 2/2026: PhD students in Spain need the national research residence authorisation (Art.72 Ley 14/2013), not the student stay permit.
• Does your document count as an official 'residence permit' for travel in Europe? The updated official list The EU Official Journal updated (10.07.2026) the list of Spanish documents recognised as a 'residence permit' for Schengen travel: TIE, EU family card, student card, Ukraine temporary protection and Gibraltar documents.
• Corrigendum to Decision (EU) 2026/1912: two dates fixed, Ukraine temporary protection still until 4 March 2028 Corrigendum DOUE-L-2026-81267 to Decision (EU) 2026/1912 changes two dates (Articles 2 and 3). The extension to 4 March 2028 is unchanged.
• Student visa and stay in Spain: requirements and working while studying Student stay authorisation in Spain (RD 1155/2024): admission to an official centre, financial means and health insurance. Allows working up to 30 h/week in higher studies.
• CCSE exam and DELE A2 for Spanish citizenship: who is exempt and how to register CCSE exam and DELE A2 for Spanish citizenship: who is exempt, how to register and how long the results stay valid. Instituto Cervantes.
• Family member of a Spanish citizen on temporary protection: EX-24 Family member of a Spanish citizen on temporary protection: EX-24 residence, no application fee, 2-month decision, work during processing and a 5-year permit.
• 2026 subsidies for collective recruitment of migrant workers in their country of origin (DGGM) Spain's Directorate-General for Migration Management calls subsidies (BDNS 925527) for organisations managing collective recruitment of migrant workers in their home country. EUR 500,000 budget, 20-business-day deadline from 20 Aug 2026.
• Golden visa Spain abolished: transitional rules and alternatives Golden visa Spain: the investor visa ended on 3 April 2025 (Organic Law 1/2025). See the transitional rules and the routes that remain.
• Joint instruction: expired Belarusian passports accepted for immigration procedures in Spain Joint instruction (19 Jan 2026) DG Migration and Immigration Police: Belarusian nationals in Spain may use expired passports for immigration procedures while extraordinary circumstances persist.
• Instructions SEM 1/2026: transition from humanitarian authorisation (Art.128.1.a) to residence and work permit Instructions SEM 1/2026: holders of humanitarian residence authorisation (Art.128.1.a RD 1155/2024) may request modification to a 4-year residence and work permit, without a visa requirement.
• SEM Instructions 2/2026: moving from temporary protection (Ukraine) to an ordinary residence authorisation SEM Instruction 2/2026 lets you move from Ukraine temporary protection to ordinary residence. Time under protection counts; it is not automatic: apply.
• Instructions SEM 4/2025: social integration report (informe de arraigo) under RD 1155/2024 — who issues it, what it contains, deadlines Instructions SEM 4/2025: the social integration report (informe de arraigo) for social and socio-educational rootedness under RD 1155/2024. Issued by regional/local authority in up to 1 month, free, valid 6 months.
• Spanish citizenship oath appointment: 180-day deadline and what if you miss it Spanish citizenship oath appointment: you have 180 days from notification to get one; after that the grant lapses. Registro Civil or notary.
• Long-term residence in Spain for Ukrainians on temporary protection: 5 years and EX-11 Long-term residence in Spain for Ukrainians on temporary protection: all 5 years count. Form EX-11, 21.87 € fee, approval by silence after 3 months.
• Legalisation in Spain 2026: how to regularise your status if you're undocumented Legalisation in Spain 2026: current routes to regularise your status if undocumented — arraigo (open year-round) and what happened to the RD 316/2026 deadline.
• Unaccompanied minors residence authorisation in Spain starts earlier (DGGM 7/2025) Criterio de Gestión 7/2025: an unaccompanied foreign minor's residence authorisation and inscription certificate are backdated to when they entered child protection, not the decision date.
• Spanish citizenship application status: how to check your file online Spanish citizenship application status: check it online at the Ministry of Justice with your NIE and date of birth, no digital certificate.
• Spanish citizenship by residence: years (10/5/2/1), exams and procedure Spanish nationality by residence: 10 years general, 2 for Ibero-Americans, 1 if married to a Spaniard, 5 for refugees. CCSE and DELE A2 exams. Filed with the Ministry of Justice.
• Spain Italy border controls October 2026: Order INT/1033/2026 Order INT/1033/2026: Spain extends controls at air and sea borders with Italy from 8 to 22 October 2026. Who is affected and what to carry when you travel.
• Order INT/846/2026 — Border Controls Restoration with Italy Spain reinstated border controls with Italy due to migration pressure. Extended by Order INT/932/2026 until 22 Sep 2026. Inspections at ports and airports.
• Orden INT/96/2026 — automatic extension of TIE cards for Temporary Protection beneficiaries from the Ukraine conflict (until 4 March 2027) Order INT/96/2026 automatically extends Foreigner Identity Cards (TIE) issued to beneficiaries of Temporary Protection from the Ukraine conflict until 4 March 2027. No card renewal required.
• Arraigo renewal in Spain 2026: deadline, conditions and 16.40 € fee Arraigo renewal in Spain 2026: file from 2 months before to 3 months after expiry. Fee 16.40 € (form 052); the proof depends on the arraigo type.
• Temporary protection to a residence and work permit in Spain: EX-26 How to switch from temporary protection to a residence and work permit in Spain: art. 191 modification, form EX-26, up to 4 years, fees 10.94 € and 81.54 €.
• Temporary Protection for people displaced from Ukraine: how to apply Temporary Protection in Spain for people displaced from Ukraine: apply in person at a CREADE or an enabled police station; valid until 4 March 2028.
• Real Decreto 316/2026 — extraordinary regularisation: APPLICATION WINDOW CLOSED on 30 June 2026 The RD 316/2026 extraordinary regularisation window CLOSED on 30 June 2026 and has not been extended. New applications are no longer accepted. Those who applied in time continue their procedure. Alternatives: ordinary arraigo under RD 1155/2024.
• Family reunification in Spain: who qualifies and requirements 2026 Family reunification in Spain 2026 (RD 1155/2024): bring a spouse or partner, children and parents over 65. Income of 150% IPREM and adequate housing.
• Appeal an immigration refusal in Spain: deadlines of 1 and 2 months If your immigration application is denied or unanswered: silence is usually negative. You can file an appeal (recurso de reposición, 1 month) or go to court (2 months). Law 39/2015.
• Orden ISM/164/2026 — Electronic Registry of Immigration Collaborators (Colaboradores de Extranjería) Spain's Registry of Immigration Collaborators lets unions and NGOs file immigration procedures electronically on behalf of foreigners, often for free — an alternative to a private gestor.
• Corrigendum — Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2055 on asylum and migration management (Dublin system) Corrigendum to EU Implementing Regulation 2025/2055 on asylum and migration management: terminological corrections to Dublin transfer forms and readmission procedures. Published OJEU 11 June 2026.
• EU Regulation 2026/2280 on the return of irregular migrants: what it sets out EU Regulation 2026/2280 sets a common return system: leave within up to 30 days, entry bans and appeals. Most of it applies from 17 October 2027.
• Renewal of residence permits: when to apply and positive administrative silence How to renew your residence permit in Spain: apply before expiry (a later window is also allowed). In renewals, administrative silence is usually positive. You can keep working while it is decided.
• Renounce temporary protection in Spain: when and how to file Renounce temporary protection in Spain (Ukraine): only after the new permit is granted. Official OAR form, electronic register, receipt for the TIE.
• Family member of a Spanish citizen: residence requirements 2026 Residence for family members of a Spanish citizen (RD 1155/2024, arts. 93-97): spouse, partner, children under 26, dependent parents. Form EX-24.
• Residence permit for a child born in Spain: EX-25 and 6-month deadline Residence permit for a child born in Spain to foreign parents (art. 159): form EX-25, 6-month deadline, 10.94 € fee, 5-year permit and the Supreme Court ruling.
• Residence permit for a child in Spain on temporary protection: EX-25 Residence permit for a child in Spain on temporary protection (Ukraine): arts. 159-160, form EX-25, 10.94 € fee, 1-month decision and what SEM 2/2026 changes.
• Long-term residence (larga duración): 5 years of legal residence (RD 1155/2024, arts. 175-189) Long-term residence in Spain: after 5 years of continuous legal residence. Allows indefinite residence and work. Regulated by RD 1155/2024 (arts. 175-189).
• Residence permit for a child not born in Spain: requirements and EX-25 Residence permit for a child not born in Spain (art. 160 of RD 1155/2024): who can apply, 2 years of stay, form EX-25, 10.94 € fee and a 5-year permit.
• Non-lucrative visa in Spain: requirements and how to apply Non-lucrative temporary residence in Spain (RD 1155/2024): living without working by proving financial means (400% IPREM) and health insurance. Visa at the consulate, TIE within 1 month.
• Self-employed visa in Spain: residence and work as an autónomo Initial residence-and-work permit as self-employed (autónomo) in Spain (RD 1155/2024, arts. 82-87): requirements, business project, investment, form EX-07, 3-month decision.
• Residence and work as an employee (cuenta ajena) and self-employed (cuenta propia) (RD 1155/2024) Initial work-and-residence permit in Spain (RD 1155/2024): employed (with a contract) or self-employed (viable project). Decision within 3 months.
• Supreme Court Ruling: Annulment of art. 197.2 RD 1155/2024 (mandatory electronic communication) Supreme Court ruling (29 July 2026): annuls art. 197.2 RD 1155/2024 on mandatory electronic communication in migration files. Direct impact on immigration procedures.
• Supreme Court Ruling: Annulment of multiple articles in RD 1155/2024 (temp work agencies, family reunion, criminal records, minor children) Supreme Court ruling (8 July 2026, Correction Order 1 Sept 2026): annuls parts of RD 1155/2024 on temp work agencies, parents' dependence, criminal records, «single» and residence of minor children.
• EU family member residence card in Spain (tarjeta comunitaria, RD 240/2007) EU regime (RD 240/2007): family of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens get the EU family member residence card, on more favourable terms. Issued within 3 months.
• Types of Spanish residency: guide to every route (visa, TIE, and which one fits you) Types of Spanish residency: non-lucrative, work, study, family, arraigo, asylum. Difference between visa, NIE and TIE (residency card), with a guide to each route.
• Spain's Supreme Court strikes down several parts of the Immigration Regulation (RD 1155/2024), but upholds its overall structure Spain's Supreme Court annuls parts of the Immigration Regulation (RD 1155/2024): child protection, criminal-record rules, temp work agencies and mandatory online filing. The regulation's general structure stays in force (CGPJ notice, 13 July 2026).
• Spain's Supreme Court weighed asking the EU Court about Royal Decree 316/2026 on regularisation In June 2026 Spain's Supreme Court gave parties 5 days to comment on a CJEU referral over RD 316/2026. On 8 July it did not refer or suspend the decree.
• Spain's Supreme Court won't suspend regularisation decree 316/2026, no CJEU referral for now Spain's Supreme Court refuses to suspend Royal Decree 316/2026 on regularisation and declines an EU Court referral for now; the decree remains in force (8 July 2026).

General information, not individual legal advice. Check the official source and consult a professional for your case.