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Residence and nationality

Residence through settlement (arraigo)

Autorización de residencia por arraigo

What it is

It is a temporary residence permit on exceptional grounds for foreign nationals who have lived in Spain continuously for at least two years (absences may not exceed 90 days), do not hold a stay or residence permit or have another application in progress, and have no criminal record. Arraigo social also requires family ties with legal residents and financial means (200 % of the IPREM in total), or a social integration report from the regional government or the city council. Arraigo sociolaboral requires one or more employment contracts paying at least the minimum wage and totalling no less than 20 hours a week. You apply with form EX-10 at the Oficina de Extranjería (immigration office) of your province or through Mercurio; the fee is form 790 code 052 (section 2.3.1), payable within ten working days. The decision period is three months. In arraigo social the permit lasts one year and includes a work authorisation; within a month of approval you must apply for the TIE at the police station.

Official wording
Haber permanecido con carácter continuado en España durante, al menos, los dos años anteriores a la presentación de dicha solicitud.

Official sources

Where it applies
All of Spain

Official information

Official sources

Go to the official website: Download form EX-10

When

Arraigo social, sociolaboral, socioformativo and de segunda oportunidad require having lived in Spain continuously for at least the two years before the application; arraigo familiar has no minimum stay. In arraigo socioformativo, if enrolment in the course has an official period, the application is filed in the two months before that period starts.

Official wording
Si la matrícula de la formación tuviera un plazo oficial para su formalización, la solicitud de la autorización de arraigo socioformativo deberá presentarse en los dos meses anteriores al inicio de ese plazo.

Official sources

Steps

  1. Step 1: Check the two-year stay and which type of arraigo fits you

    Arraigo social, sociolaboral, socioformativo and de segunda oportunidad: having lived in Spain continuously for at least the two years before the application; for social and socioformativo the information sheets specify that absences may not exceed 90 days. Time spent as an applicant for international protection does not count. In addition, for every type you may not hold a stay or residence permit or have another permit application in progress, nor have a criminal record in Spain or in the countries where you lived in the last five years. Types: social (family ties with legal residents or an integration report), sociolaboral (employment contracts), socioformativo (training + integration report), familiar (father, mother or guardian of an EU minor, or support for an EU person with a disability) and de segunda oportunidad.

    Official wording
    Para que este requisito se cumpla, las ausencias de España durante este período no pueden superar los 90 días.

    Official sources

  2. Step 2: Gather the documents (translated and legalised or apostilled)

    See the list of documents. It includes the criminal record certificate from the country or countries where you lived in the five years before entering Spain. Documents from other countries must be translated into Spanish by a sworn translator and, if they are public documents, legalised by the Spanish Consular Office or apostilled by the authority of the issuing country (Hague Convention). Copies are submitted and the originals are shown when applying.

    Official wording
    Certificado de antecedentes penales expedido por las Autoridades del país o países en los que haya residido durante los cinco últimos años anteriores a la entrada en España.

    Official sources

  3. Step 3: Submit the application (EX-10) at the Foreigners' Office or via Mercurio

    The foreign national files it in person (or their legal representative if they are a minor or have a disability), with form EX-10, at the Oficina de Extranjería of the province where they live or online through Mercurio. The information sheet for arraigo socioformativo only mentions in-person filing.

    Official wording
    Telemáticamente, a través de la sede electrónica del Ministerio de Política Territorial y Memoria Democrática (Mercurio).

    Official sources

    Go to the official website: Mercurio (online filing)

  4. Step 4: Pay fee 052 within ten working days

    The fee becomes due when the application is filed and must be paid within ten working days: form 790 code 052, section 2.3.1 "temporary residence permit on exceptional grounds for arraigo", payable by the foreign national. It is the same for all types of arraigo.

    Official wording
    Tasa correspondiente : se devengará en el momento de presentación de la solicitud, y deberá abonarse en el plazo de diez días hábiles: Modelo 790 código 052, epígrafe 2.3.1.

    Official sources

    Go to the official website: Generate the 052 fee form

  5. Step 5: Wait for the decision (three months)

    Decision period: three months from the date the application is registered. If no decision is notified within that period, it is deemed refused by administrative silence. Arraigo sociolaboral: once the application is accepted for processing, the person is provisionally allowed to live and work as an employee; if granted, the permit only takes effect if they register with Social Security within one month of notification. Arraigo socioformativo: within three months of approval you must prove enrolment to the Oficina de Extranjería, or the permit may be terminated.

    Official wording
    Transcurrido dicho plazo sin que la Administración haya practicado la notificación, se podrá entender que la solicitud ha sido desestimada por silencio administrativo

    Official sources

  6. Step 6: Apply for the TIE within one month

    National Police

    Within one month of being notified of the approval, the foreign national must apply in person for the foreigner identity card (TIE) at the police station or competent police services where they live.

    Official wording
    En el plazo de un mes desde la notificación de la concesión de la autorización de residencia por circunstancias excepcionales, la persona extranjera deberá solicitar personalmente la tarjeta de identidad de extranjero , en la Comisaría de Policía o servicios policiales competentes de su lugar de residencia.

    Official sources

    Go to the official website: Immigration appointment (cita previa de extranjería)

Documents

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🖨 Printable bilingual document card (you can show it at the counter)

Fees

Arraigo application (all types): form 790 code 052, section 2.3.1, payable by the foreign national within ten working days.

Official wording
“autorización de residencia temporal por circunstancias excepcionales por arraigo”: a abonar por la persona extranjera

Official sources

TIE for the first grant of a temporary residence permit: 16.08 € (form 790 code 012).

Official wording
TIE que documenta la primera concesión de la autorización de residencia temporal, de estancia o para trabajadores transfronterizos 16,08 €

Official sources

Regional differences

Community of Madrid

In the Community of Madrid the arraigo report (social or socioformativo) is requested from the Área de Informes de Integración (reference 60333). Having taken the "Conoce Tus Leyes" programme is an essential requirement (in-person enrolment at the CEPI centres). The arraigo social report costs 30.60 € (form 030); the arraigo socioformativo report has no fee. You must be registered on the padrón in the Community of Madrid and prove the two years of stay and your financial means over the last 12 months.

Official wording
Para el informe de arraigo social sigue siendo necesario abonar tasa modelo 030 de 30,60 euros

Official sources

Catalonia

In Catalonia the report for arraigo social or socioformativo is called the integration effort report (informe d'esforç d'integració) and is issued by the Generalitat's Department of Social Rights and Inclusion. The application is filed preferably at the city council where you are registered on the padrón (it can also be filed at an official registry). You must be 16 or older and prove participation in training activities on the constitutional values of Spain, the statutory values of Catalonia and of the European Union, human rights, public freedoms, democracy, tolerance and equality between men and women, and the learning and knowledge of the official languages (Catalan and Spanish), unless exempt (for example, with the ESO, Bachillerato or an intermediate or higher vocational training qualification). For arraigo social or socioformativo you also provide proof of two years of continuous residence (historical padrón certificate or other valid documents). It is free and is issued and notified within a maximum of 30 working days. In Barcelona, the Punt d'Informació i Arrelament (PIA) gives information on the procedure: Carrer Tarragona 141, [email protected].

Official wording
L’informe es pot emetre i notificar en un màxim de 30 dies hàbils des de la presentació de la sol·licitud.

Official sources

Valencian Community

In the city of València, registered foreign residents ask the City Council for the Social Integration Report, which is submitted to the Oficina de Extranjería and is compulsory for arraigo socioformativo and for arraigo social without family ties. Requirements: a valid passport; two years of continuous stay in Spain; basic skills in Spanish or Valencian; and having completed a reception school (escuela de acogida) accredited by the Generalitat (or similar training accredited by another region) or at least one full year of formal studies in Spain. It is filed with the official form at the registries or on the e-office, with passport, NIE if any, historical padrón certificate and proof of the training; there may be an interview. The City Council must issue it within one month at most. According to the Generalitat, the report is free and valid for 6 months from issue.

Official wording
Tener competencias básicas, al menos, en una de las lenguas oficiales (castellano y/o valenciano).

Official sources

FAQ

Can I work while my arraigo application is processed?

In arraigo sociolaboral, yes: once the application is accepted for processing, you are provisionally allowed to live and work as an employee until a decision is made. The information sheets for the other types do not provide for this; in arraigo social and de segunda oportunidad the work authorisation comes with the approval.

Official wording
Una vez admitida a trámite la solicitud de la autorización por circunstancias excepcionales por arraigo prevista en el artículo 127.b) y hasta que se resuelva el procedimiento, se habilitará, de forma provisional, a las personas solicitantes a residir y a trabajar por cuenta ajena.

Official sources

How long is it valid and can it be extended?

One year for arraigo social, sociolaboral, socioformativo and de segunda oportunidad (the arraigo familiar sheet does not state the validity). Social, sociolaboral and segunda oportunidad: it can be extended for yearly periods if the requirements are still met and you are actively seeking work and registered with the public employment service (except in cases of illness, disability or retirement age); sociolaboral and segunda oportunidad can also be changed to a residence and work permit. Socioformativo: the extension depends on passing to the next year of the course or on the qualification obtained.

Official wording
La autorización concedida por arraigo social así como sus prórrogas tendrán una vigencia de un año.

Official sources

What if I get no answer within three months?

It can be deemed refused by administrative silence. If it could not be notified, the decision is announced in the Tablón Edictal Único (TEU); with electronic notification, it is deemed notified if not accessed within ten calendar days.

Official wording
Si se hubiera optado por notificación electrónica o normativamente estuviera obligado a utilizar ese medio, la resolución se notificará mediante publicación en la sede electrónica.

Official sources

Related procedures

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