Does time spent without a permit count?

Yes. Arraigo looks at actual residence in Spain, with or without a permit; what matters is documenting it.

Can I travel outside Spain before applying?

Short trips are acceptable, but a long absence breaks continuity. The limits depend on the arraigo route.

Is a job contract required for arraigo social?

Usually yes, though sufficient own funds or self-employment can be accepted instead.

What if the application is refused?

You can file a recurso de reposición within one month or go to court. Often it is faster to fix the cause and reapply.

Guide

Arraigo in Spain: routes to residence by roots, requirements and documents

Who can regularise their status through arraigo, how the social, work, family and training routes differ, what documents are needed and how long it takes.

Updated: 2026 · Reading time ≈ 9 minutes

What arraigo is and who it fits

Arraigo is an exceptional residence route for people already living in Spain without a valid permit. The point is to evidence your ties to the country: time spent here, family, work or training.

The application is filed from inside Spain, with no need to return to your home country. The permit is normally granted for one year, then renewed or converted into an ordinary residence and work authorisation.

Types of arraigo

Arraigo social: 3 years of continuous residence, an integration report and a job offer or proven means.
Arraigo laboral: 2 years of residence plus evidenced work in Spain.
Arraigo familiar: a family link to a Spanish national or a minor child of Spanish nationality.
Arraigo para la formación: 2 years of residence and a commitment to train in an in-demand occupation.
Second-chance arraigo: for those who previously held a permit and lost it.

Key requirements

Continuous residence in Spain, evidenced by empadronamiento, health records, contracts and receipts.
No criminal record in Spain or in countries of residence over the last 5 years.
No entry ban for Spain or the Schengen area.
Means of support: an employment contract, self-employment or own funds, depending on the route.
For arraigo social, an integration report issued by the autonomous community.

Documents

Form EX-10 and the paid 790 fee.
Full, valid passport (all pages).
Historical empadronamiento certificate covering the whole period.
Criminal-record certificate, apostilled and sworn-translated.
Integration report, employment contract or proof of family link, depending on the route.
Evidence of continuous presence: certificates, contracts, bank statements.

Timelines and common mistakes

The statutory decision period is 3 months. In practice the quality of the file decides the outcome: incomplete papers trigger a requerimiento and effectively restart the wait.

Files most often fail because of gaps in empadronamiento, absences from Spain beyond the permitted limits, expired criminal-record certificates and contracts that fall short on hours or pay.

FAQ

Does time spent without a permit count?: Yes. Arraigo looks at actual residence in Spain, with or without a permit; what matters is documenting it.
Can I travel outside Spain before applying?: Short trips are acceptable, but a long absence breaks continuity. The limits depend on the arraigo route.
Is a job contract required for arraigo social?: Usually yes, though sufficient own funds or self-employment can be accepted instead.
What if the application is refused?: You can file a recurso de reposición within one month or go to court. Often it is faster to fix the cause and reapply.

Related services

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Informational guide; it does not replace advice on your specific case.

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