Settlement (arraigo) in Spain means a long stay in the country, establishing certain ties with the local population and understanding its customs and culture. On this basis a foreign national can obtain a temporary residence authorisation in the kingdom. A residence permit through settlement is issued to people who have lived in the country for two or three years. A card can also be obtained if you have family ties with Spanish nationals. Settlement is only one of the grounds, and it requires time that many people do not have: the other routes are covered in our overview of Spanish residence permits in 2026.
Which requirements must you meet to have the authorisation approved if you are living in Spain illegally? How do you stop being an irregular migrant? What rights do people gain with a residence permit? Is it realistic to become a Spanish citizen after a long stay? We answer all these questions in this article.
Requirements
Legalisation through settlement allows you to stay in the country on a lawful basis. The following requirements apply to foreign nationals:
- No criminal record. Criminal activity in Spain or in your home country will prevent you from getting a residence permit.
- No ban on crossing the borders of the kingdom. If there is one, you will not be able to live in the country.
- Citizenship of any country except EU countries. The applicant must also have no family ties with citizens of Switzerland or other members of the European area.
- Family ties with a resident of Spain. They help simplify getting a card for Russians.
- Social adaptation. It is important to adapt to the new society and to have an employment relationship and income for more than 6 months.
Types of settlement
A residence authorisation for irregular migrants can be granted only in exceptional cases. In other circumstances it is not possible to obtain a residence permit.
The following forms of settlement exist in Spain:
- Social. A residence permit is issued to people with family ties to citizens of the kingdom. Social settlement implies integration into society that allows a full life.
- Employment. If you have lived in the country for more than two years and have had a stable employment relationship with local organisations for at least six months, you can apply for a residence permit. A separate and newest branch is the educational one: the conditions and the list of eligible programmes are covered in the article on arraigo socioformativo.
- Family. Immigrants who are parents of local citizens under 18 or of dependants can obtain a residence authorisation.
Any type of settlement allows you to apply for a document with which you can move and settle in a foreign country on a lawful basis. You simply need to live in the country for the required period, obey the law and be active in social life.
How to get a residence permit
A residence permit through settlement can be obtained in a few steps. Entry, submitting the documents and the other stages must be completed in sequence, in line with the requirements of Spanish law.
The procedure includes:
- Moving. The person must cross the Spanish border with a visa. A biometric passport allows visa-free entry, which does not apply to all countries.
- Residence. For the required period you must live in the kingdom without travelling abroad. Immigrants must obey local laws and find a job with a steady income. It is important to avoid any conflicts with public authorities so that no difficulties arise when you later apply.
- Submitting documents. If the previous stages were completed without violations, the person is entitled to submit a set of documents to the Immigration Office. You need to compile a complete file, otherwise you may be refused.
- Decision on the application. If the application is approved, the applicant must go to the police station for their place of residence or to the Immigration Office. The applicant will be issued a residence permit that ensures lawful residence. The plastic card is issued after a valid passport is presented.
- Getting the residence permit. The applicant needs to obtain a digital certificate that stores data on immigration status and personal information. The certificate identifies the holder and allows them to use government online services.
Required documents
The file must include several documents required for the application. To get a positive answer, you should provide all the papers requested.
You need to prepare:
- An application translated into Spanish. The form can be found on the Ministry of Migration’s portal. You must provide 2 copies, each signed by the applicant.
- International passport. Photocopies of every page of the international passport must be attached; it must be valid for at least 4 months at the time the application is sent.
- Government fee. The receipt for payment of the fee is also included in the file.
- Criminal record certificate. Certificates must be provided from all countries where the person lived in the 5 years before moving to Spain.
- A document confirming your planned residence in the country. You can provide certificates, a rental agreement or proof of municipal registration.
- Proof of financial independence. The contract with the employer must include a salary above the minimum. An income certificate will help prove financial stability.
- A document confirming the length of residence in Spain. The applicant must prove that they have lived in Spain for the period required by law.
- Documents serving as grounds. Depending on the type of settlement, an employment contract, a certificate of guardianship of a Spanish national or other papers are presented.
The documents must be translated into Spanish by a sworn translator and bear an apostille. Before sending, it is best to check every certificate and the application carefully, as even one mistake will lead to refusal.
What rights foreigners gain
A residence permit through settlement does not restrict the rights of foreign nationals. You will be able to:
- visit Schengen countries without applying for visas;
- take up formal employment;
- live in the country for the permitted period;
- use the full social package;
- take out an insurance policy;
- receive medical treatment when you have health insurance;
- reunite your family;
- use banking services;
- run a business;
- apply for state-funded places at educational institutions.
Over time you will be able to exercise the right to apply for permanent residence and obtain a passport of the Spanish kingdom. Further prospects depend on the applicant, since breaking the law, lacking a steady source of income and other problems will prevent you from settling in the country.
Renewal
When the residence permit expires, it can be renewed. The residence permit can be renewed twice for 24 months. After 5 years of living in the country you can apply for permanent residence, a status that gives practically the same rights as Spanish nationals have. Foreigners are only barred from holding posts in public bodies and from taking part in elections.
Citizenship
You can obtain Spanish citizenship if you have lived in the country legally for 10 years. The application is granted only if you demonstrate an understanding of the culture and knowledge of the constitution. Applicants are tested with a 45-minute test. You must answer at least 60% of the questions correctly, otherwise you will not get a new passport. Future citizens must have a good command of Spanish: the level must be no lower than A2.
Naturalisation through settlement is a complex process with many nuances. For citizens of Latin America, Andorra, Portugal and the Philippines the period is reduced to two years — how this works is described in our article on fast-track naturalisation; a general analysis of all legalisation routes is in the article on simplified legalisation in Spain. An incomplete set of documents, breaches of the law and other circumstances may lead to refusal and deportation. Before applying, you should get advice from specialists who understand the finer points of Spanish law. Careful preparation of the file will allow you to obtain a residence permit and stay in the country.
