Arraigo in 2026: 5 types, deadlines and documents under the new regulation
Arraigo — "putting down roots": a route to legalisation for those who have already been living in Spain for a long time without documents. The new regulation RD 1155/2024 (in force since May 2025) has completely reworked this section — old internet advice about "3 years for arraigo" no longer works.
The five types of arraigo (Art. 125 RD 1155/2024)
- Arraigo sociolaboral — for those who have already worked in Spain: proven work history and employment relations in the country;
- Arraigo social — through family or social ties, confirmed by a report;
- Arraigo socioformativo — through enrolment in studies: a new type that replaced the old arraigo para la formación;
- Arraigo familiar — for children and parents of Spanish citizens (and some other family cases): no residence period required and granted straight away for 5 years;
- Arraigo de segunda oportunidad — for those who previously held a permit and lost it.
Deadlines: what has changed
Confirmed by the regulation: the minimum period of residence in Spain is 2 years for all types except arraigo familiar (no period required). The permit is issued for 1 year, except arraigo familiar — 5 years. It used to be 3 years of residence — advice you may still come across citing "the old 3 years" is incorrect for 2026.
Basic document package
- passport + copies of all pages with entries;
- certificado de empadronamiento (registration with the municipality) — recent;
- documents for your type: work history/contract (sociolaboral), social integration report (social), enrolment in studies (socioformativo), birth certificates/family ties (familiar);
- paid fee: residencia por arraigo — 38,28 € (tasa 2.3.1, Orden PJC/617/2025 — the amounts change every year, check the form);
- cita previa and submission to the Oficina de Extranjería.
Common mistakes
- applying under the old rules (3 years / arraigo para la formación) — rejection without discussion;
- translations and apostilles "after the fact": prepare them in advance;
- unchecked email notifications — a decision may pass you by unnoticed.
Application templates, a cover letter and checklists — in the NIE - Easy kit.
Informational material, not legal advice. Before applying, check the conditions for your type on official websites.