Shorouk Express
The arraigo social is applicable to all those who have been living without the proper residency documents in Spain for two years or more.
It is in fact one of the easiest ways to legalise your situation without facing harsh consequences of overstaying or having to leave Spain and re-enter again on a different visa.
The main requirements are that you must have been here for a period of at least two years as mentioned above and can’t have left the country for more than 120 days in that period. It is also only open to citizens from non-EU countries, as this situation would not be applicable to EU passport holders.
The required time in Spain used to be three years, but the Spanish government have recently reduced it to two years, which will come into force on May 20th 2025.
READ ALSO: How Spain will make residency and work permits easier for foreigners
In order to apply you must first show that meet a series of criteria and gather documentation as proof.
You can prove you’ve been in living in Spain for all that time by either showing your padrón certificate if you registered with your local town hall. This is like a local census and you don’t need to be a resident in order to apply for it.
If you didn’t get your padrón then the Spanish government states they will accept documents that have been issued and/or registered by a Spanish Public Administration. This could include hospitalisation documents, a medical consultation via public health system, as well as any municipal, regional or state documentation that justifies your presence in Spain.
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There are several other steps that you must comply with in order to be granted the arraigo social.
First of all, you must have a genuine connection to Spain, this could be either socially, economically or through familial ties. You must also have proof of this such as library card, membership to an organisation here, birth certificates etc.
Secondly, you must have a clear criminal record from Spain, as well as from any country you’ve lived in during the five previous years.
You must also be given a job offer for at least 30 hours a week and the salary must be equivalent to the minimum wage or higher. If you have children, then this can be cut down to 20 hours per week.
READ ALSO: How many Brits live legally in Spain and how many are ‘under the radar’?
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If you can’t get a job, then you have two options. The first is to go self-employed and promise to sign up to the autónomo system. You will need to show that you have the necessary qualifications to do so and have a good business plan to be accepted this way.
The other option is to show you have sufficient financial means. This should be 100 percent of the Minimum Vital Income which for 2025 is €658,81 per month. If you are living with a direct relative, they can also prove that they have the funds to support you.
You will also have to prove that understand and speak Spanish. If you live in a Spanish region which also has a second official language such as Catalan in Catalonia or Gallego (Galician) in Galicia you must and prove you can speak and understand that too. For example, in Catalonia, you will have to undertake a 45-hour Catalan course.
Once you have gathered all your documents together you will apply for an appointment with your town hall. They will make sure everything is in order and check all your paperwork.
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When it’s all verified you will have to return to pass an interview where they will ask you a series of questions about your integration into Spanish society and your status. This is also where they will check your language level.
After a period of around one month, if you’ve passed, they will issue you with a favourable report.
When you have your report and, you can then get your appointment a local foreigners’ office (extranjería) to apply for residency.
At your appointment you will need to bring:
A copy of your passport
Application form EX-10, filled out and signed by you
Your padrón certificate or other documentation to prove how long you’ve been here
A favourable report from your town hall
Clear criminal record check, legalised and translated into Spanish
Accreditation of family ties such as marriage or birth certificates
A report from your employer
Payment of the fee via form 790/052
When this has all been submitted you will usually receive your answer and new residency card within a period of three months.
