If you live in Spain without a residence permit, arraigo (residence based on ties to Spain) is the main route to regularise your situation. The Immigration Regulations approved by Royal Decree 1155/2024, in force since 20 May 2025, completely changed its requirements: they reduced the required period of stay and created new types, such as social, socio-employment and socio-training arraigo. They were amended again in April 2026.
At MH & MG Abogados we have been handling immigration cases for more than 25 years in Barcelona and Roses (Girona), and we can assist you in Spanish, Catalan, English, German, Dutch and French.
Common requirements
As a general rule, for any type of arraigo you must:
- Have lived in Spain continuously for at least two years before applying. Family arraigo has no minimum period.
- Have no criminal record in Spain or in the countries where you lived in the previous five years.
- Not be an applicant for international protection at the time of applying.
- Since April 2026, not already hold a stay or residence permit or be party to another procedure to obtain one.
The five types of arraigo
Socio-employment arraigo (sociolaboral). For those with one or more employment contracts totalling at least 20 hours a week and paying at least the minimum wage or the collective agreement salary.
Social arraigo. For those with family ties to foreign residents or, if not, a favourable integration report, who can show sufficient financial means. Since 2026 the means may come from family members and the report may be issued by the local council.
Socio-training arraigo (socioformativo). For those who will take a formal or vocational training course. It allows you to reside while you study and then switch to another permit.
Second-chance arraigo. For those who held a residence permit in the previous two years and lost it because they could not renew it.
Family arraigo. For parents or guardians of a minor who is a Spanish or other EU national living with them or in their care, and for those supporting a Spanish or EU family member with a disability.
What you obtain
The initial arraigo permit lasts one year, except family arraigo, which lasts five, and allows you to work. To renew it you must meet the renewal requirements: for social, socio-employment and second-chance arraigo, since 2026 you must be actively seeking work and registered with the public employment service, save for justified exceptions.
Documents and common mistakes
The key to almost every application is proving your continuous stay: your municipal registration (empadronamiento) history, medical reports, contracts, receipts or documents from your children’s school. You must also provide your passport and criminal record certificates from the countries where you lived, legalised or apostilled and translated.
The most common refusals are due to gaps in the proof of stay, contracts that do not meet the minimum hours or salary, or expired documents. A refusal can be appealed, and it is worth reviewing with a lawyer whether it is better to appeal or submit a new application.
The 2026 extraordinary regularisation closed on 30 June 2026, so arraigo is once again the ordinary route.
We help you with your application
At MH & MG Abogados we assess which type suits your situation, prepare and check the documents, submit the application and support you through to the decision and renewal. You can also read our article on residence and nationality in Spain or visit our immigration law page.
Book an in-person or online appointment in Barcelona (+34 93 368 32 02) or Roses (+34 972 15 24 32), via WhatsApp (+34 653 964 658) or through our contact page. We will give you a no-obligation quote.