Spain Simplifies Residency in 2025: Key Arraigo Social Changes You Should Know

Spain’s immigration landscape is getting a major refresh in 2025, and if you’re aiming to regularize your status, this is news you can’t afford to miss. Thanks to Royal Decree 1155/2024, the minimum stay to apply for residency through arraigo social has dropped from three years to just two. If you’ve been living in Spain and waiting for a more accessible path to legal residency, your opportunity just arrived.

Here’s What Matters for Arraigo Social in 2025

The government’s new approach is about faster integration and aligning the system with real community needs. If you’ve been in Spain for two continuous years, you’re now eligible to apply for arraigo social. This is a game-changer for thousands of non-EU residents looking to legitimize their lives here.

Arraigo Requirements in 2025:

1. Two Years of Continuous Stay You must provide proof you’ve lived in Spain for at least 24 uninterrupted months. Any absence over 120 days in total during this period will disqualify your application. Note: If you’re waiting on an asylum decision, only the period after a final resolution counts.
2. Demonstrate Social Ties Applicants need to show real links to Spanish society. This can be through immediate family members who are legal residents (spouse, registered partner, parent, or child), or by securing a favorable municipal report (informe de arraigo) that confirms your integration—think language skills, participation, and community life.
3. Economic Resources You must provide one of the following:

• A valid job offer meeting or exceeding the Spanish minimum wage (SMI)
• Evidence of self-employment with a viable business plan, RETA registration, and supporting financial documents
• Proof of sufficient personal or family income, at least 100% of the IPREM
• Supporting Documentation: Be prepared with a valid passport, criminal background checks (Spain and any other countries you’ve lived in during the past five years), proof of residency (empadronamiento), completed application forms (EX-10 and payment receipt for Form 790-052), and two ID photos. Foreign documents must be translated and legalized as required.

Permit Validity and Renewal in Spain

The initial arraigo social permit is valid for one year. To renew, you’ll need to continue meeting economic or employment criteria, or register as a job seeker and participate in integration programs. Submit your renewal application within 60 days before your permit expires. Late renewals (up to 90 days after expiry) are possible, but expect a minor administrative penalty.

Strategic Impact

This reform is a cornerstone of Spain’s broader effort to regularize up to 300,000 undocumented residents over the next three years. For businesses and individuals alike, this offers a more transparent, workable path to legal status and employment.

While some legal challenges remain—especially regarding asylum seekers and unaccompanied minors—the new framework is in force and presents a real opportunity for eligible applicants.

Professional Support Available

Navigating Spanish immigration can be complex and time-consuming. Our agency specializes in residency and immigration solutions, offering expert guidance from eligibility assessment to document preparation and application submission.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation. Let us help you secure your legal residency in Spain—efficiently and professionally.