What Is Arraigo Social?

Arraigo Social, which translates to “social roots” or “social ties,” is Spain’s most important pathway for regularizing the status of undocumented residents who have been living continuously in the country. It is a legal mechanism that recognizes a fundamental reality: people who have lived in Spain for years, integrated into their communities, learned the language, and built social networks deserve a legal pathway to residency — even if their initial entry or stay was not authorized.

The arraigo system is uniquely Spanish and reflects the country’s pragmatic approach to immigration. Rather than solely relying on enforcement, Spain provides a structured regularization process for people who can demonstrate genuine roots in Spanish society. Arraigo Social is the most widely used of the several arraigo categories (which also include arraigo laboral and arraigo familiar), and it has been a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of people over the past two decades.

In 2026, a landmark reform has made Arraigo Social more accessible than ever by reducing the continuous residence requirement from three years to two years, recognizing that meaningful social integration can happen faster than previous legislation assumed.

The 2026 Key Change: From 3 Years to 2 Years

The most significant reform to Arraigo Social in recent years is the reduction of the minimum continuous residence requirement from 3 years to 2 years. This change, introduced through modifications to the immigration regulations (Reglamento de Extranjería), has profound implications:

• Applicants can now apply after 24 months of continuous residence in Spain, rather than the previous 36 months
• The change recognizes that integration into Spanish society — learning the language, building community connections, finding employment — can occur within two years
• It reduces the vulnerability period during which undocumented residents have no legal protections
• Approximately 300,000+ additional people are estimated to become eligible under the reduced timeline

The reform also introduced streamlined documentation requirements and faster processing times, reflecting Spain’s broader push to modernize its immigration system and reduce administrative backlogs.

Requirements for Arraigo Social in 2026

To qualify for Arraigo Social, you must meet all of the following requirements:

1. Continuous Residence in Spain for at Least 2 Years

You must prove that you have been physically present and living in Spain for a minimum of 24 consecutive months. This is the foundational requirement, and demonstrating it convincingly is often the most challenging part of the application.

Acceptable evidence includes:

• Empadronamiento (municipal census registration) — this is the single most important document. You should have been registered on the padrón municipal for the entire 2-year period. If you moved between cities, you need empadronamiento records from each municipality
• Medical records — visits to health centers, hospital records, or prescriptions
• Utility bills or bank statements — in your name, showing consistent activity over the period
• Children’s school enrollment records — if applicable
• Correspondence from government agencies — tax authority letters, social services interactions
• Community organization membership — participation in local associations, religious communities, or NGOs

Critical point: The empadronamiento is the backbone of your application. If you have not been registered on the padrón, start immediately. Some municipalities allow backdating registration if you can prove prior residence, but this varies by local government. Without padrón registration covering the full period, your application faces serious challenges.

2. Social Ties to Spain

You must demonstrate meaningful social connections (vínculos sociales) to Spain. This goes beyond simply being physically present — you need to show that you are an integrated member of your community. Evidence includes:

• Family connections — having Spanish or legal-resident family members in Spain (spouse, children, parents, siblings)
• Community involvement — participation in cultural associations, volunteer organizations, sports clubs, religious communities, or neighborhood associations
• Language skills — proof of Spanish language ability (course certificates, DELE exam results, or informal evidence of fluency)
• Children enrolled in Spanish schools — strong evidence of family integration
• Letters of support — from neighbors, community leaders, employers, or organizations who can attest to your social integration
• Cultural integration courses — certificates from integration programs offered by local governments or NGOs

3. A Job Offer or Means of Economic Support

You must provide one of the following:

• A job offer (contrato de trabajo) — a formal employment contract from a Spanish employer for at least one year, with a minimum of the legal minimum wage (approximately €1,134/month in 2026 for a full-time position). The employer must be current on their tax and Social Security obligations
• Proof of sufficient means of support — in some cases, demonstrating financial self-sufficiency without a formal job offer is accepted, though a job offer significantly strengthens the application
• Self-employment proposal — a viable plan for trabajo por cuenta propia (self-employment), including a business plan, proof of qualifications, and evidence of market demand

The job offer requirement has historically been one of the biggest hurdles for arraigo applicants, as employers must be willing to formally contract someone who does not yet have work authorization. The 2026 reforms have somewhat eased this by expanding the types of economic activity that qualify.

4. Clean Criminal Record

You must provide a criminal record certificate (certificado de antecedentes penales) from:

• Spain — obtained from the Registro Central de Penados at the Ministry of Justice
• Your country of origin — and any other country where you have resided in the past five years

The Spanish certificate is straightforward to obtain. Foreign certificates must be apostilled and translated into Spanish by a sworn translator.

5. No Entry Ban or Expulsion Order

You must not be subject to an active entry ban (prohibición de entrada) or expulsion order (orden de expulsión) from Spain or any Schengen member state. If you have a prior expulsion order, it may be possible to have it lifted, but this requires separate legal proceedings and professional legal assistance.

The Informe de Arraigo: Social Report from Local Government

A key component of the Arraigo Social application is the informe de arraigo — an official social report issued by your local municipal government or autonomous community’s social services department. This report evaluates your level of integration into Spanish society and provides an official recommendation regarding your application.

To obtain the informe:

1. Request the report at your local ayuntamiento (city hall) or the designated social services office
2. Attend an interview with a social worker who will assess your ties to the community, language skills, housing situation, and general integration
3. Provide supporting documentation — everything listed under “social ties” above
4. Wait for issuance — processing typically takes 30 to 60 days, though some municipalities are faster

The social worker’s report carries significant weight in the final decision. A strongly positive informe can compensate for weaknesses in other areas of your application, while a negative or lukewarm report can sink an otherwise solid case.

Practical advice: Be thorough and proactive in your interview. Bring organized documentation. Explain your community involvement, family situation, and plans for the future. The social worker is there to evaluate your integration — make it easy for them to see that you are a contributing member of your community.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Once you have gathered all required documentation, the application follows these steps:

1. Obtain your informe de arraigo from local social services (allow 1–2 months)
2. Secure a job offer or prepare alternative proof of economic means
3. Gather all documents: passport, empadronamiento history, criminal record certificates, social integration evidence, job offer, informe de arraigo, and health insurance (if required by your province)
4. Submit your application at the Oficina de Extranjería (Foreigners’ Office) in your province or through the online portal at the Sede Electrónica of the Spanish government. You will need a cita previa (appointment), which can be difficult to obtain in high-demand areas
5. Receive an acknowledgment (resguardo) — this document proves your application is being processed and provides some interim protections
6. Wait for a resolution — the administration has 3 months to respond. If you receive no response within this period, administrative silence is considered a negative resolution for arraigo applications (unlike the positive silence for some other visa types)
7. If approved, you receive a favorable resolution and have one month to complete the process by applying for your TIE (residence card) and registering with Social Security

The entire process, from gathering documents to receiving your TIE, typically takes 4 to 6 months.

What You Receive: The Work and Residence Permit

Upon approval, you receive a work and residence authorization (autorización de residencia y trabajo por cuenta ajena) valid for one year. This permit allows you to:

• Work legally in Spain — for any employer in any sector (not limited to the employer who provided the initial job offer)
• Access the Spanish public healthcare system through Social Security contributions
• Travel within the Schengen Area freely
• Sign rental contracts, open bank accounts, and carry out all activities that require legal residency

Duration, Renewal, and Path to Permanent Residency

The Arraigo Social permit follows the standard renewal pathway:

Phase	Duration	Key Requirement
Initial permit	1 year	Obtained through arraigo application
First renewal	2 years	Demonstrate employment or economic activity
Second renewal	2 years	Continued employment or economic activity
Permanent residency	Indefinite	After 5 years of continuous legal residence
Citizenship eligibility	10 years	Continuous legal residence (reduced to 2 years for nationals of Latin American countries, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Andorra, and Portugal)

Renewal requires demonstrating that you have been working and contributing to Social Security during the permit period. Periods of unemployment are acceptable if they are temporary and you can show active job-seeking efforts. Extended periods without Social Security contributions can result in renewal denial.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Difficulty Obtaining Empadronamiento

Some landlords refuse to register tenants on the padrón, particularly in informal rental arrangements. Solutions include:

• Explaining to the landlord that padrón registration does not affect their tax obligations
• Seeking help from local social services or immigrant assistance NGOs
• In some municipalities, registering with a “domicilio ficticio” (fictional address) through social services if you are experiencing housing instability

Finding an Employer Willing to Provide a Job Offer

Many employers are hesitant to offer a formal contract to someone without current work authorization. Strategies include:

• Working with employment agencies that specialize in helping arraigo applicants
• Seeking positions in sectors with labor shortages (hospitality, agriculture, construction, domestic work, logistics)
• Networking through community organizations that connect employers with arraigo candidates
• Exploring self-employment as an alternative to the job offer requirement

Getting a Cita Previa (Appointment)

Immigration office appointments are notoriously difficult to obtain, particularly in Madrid, Barcelona, and other large cities. Tips:

• Check the online appointment system frequently, including early morning hours (new slots often open at midnight or 6 AM)
• Use legitimate appointment-booking assistance services offered by immigration lawyers
• Try offices in smaller surrounding towns, which often have shorter wait times
• Never pay unofficial intermediaries who claim to “sell” appointments — this is fraud

Who Is Arraigo Social Best For?

Arraigo Social is specifically designed for people who:

• Have been living in Spain continuously for at least 2 years without legal residency status
• Have built genuine social connections — family, community involvement, language skills
• Can obtain a job offer or demonstrate economic self-sufficiency
• Have a clean criminal record in Spain and their home country
• Are committed to long-term integration into Spanish society

It is not an appropriate pathway for people who have just arrived in Spain, who are looking for a quick tourist-to-resident conversion, or who cannot demonstrate genuine social roots. The arraigo system rewards time, integration, and commitment — and the Spanish authorities take the evaluation of these factors seriously.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I travel outside Spain while my Arraigo Social application is pending?

This is risky. If you leave Spain while the application is being processed, your departure could be interpreted as a break in continuous residence. Additionally, re-entering Spain without valid documentation can be problematic. The safest course is to remain in Spain until you receive your resolution and TIE. If you must travel, consult an immigration lawyer first.

Does the 2-year period need to be completely uninterrupted?

The requirement is for continuous residence, meaning Spain must have been your habitual place of living. Brief absences (a few weeks) are generally accepted, but extended trips abroad (several months) can break the continuity requirement. Keep your empadronamiento active and maintain evidence of your ongoing presence in Spain.

Can I change employers after receiving my Arraigo Social permit?

Yes. Once you receive your work and residence authorization, you are free to work for any employer in any sector throughout Spain. You are not bound to the employer who provided the initial job offer. This flexibility is one of the permit’s key advantages.

What happens if my application is denied?

You have the right to file an administrative appeal (recurso de reposición) within one month of notification, or a judicial appeal (recurso contencioso-administrativo) within two months. Many denials are based on insufficient documentation rather than substantive ineligibility, so an appeal with stronger evidence can succeed. An immigration lawyer is strongly recommended for appeals.

Is Arraigo Social only for people from specific countries?

No. Arraigo Social is available to any non-EU national regardless of country of origin. While applicants from Latin American and African countries represent the largest groups statistically, the pathway is open to anyone who meets the requirements. Nationals of Latin American countries do benefit from a shorter path to citizenship (2 years instead of 10) once they obtain legal residency, but the arraigo process itself is identical.