Extraordinary Legalization of Foreigners in Spain
In 2026, Spain launched one of the largest legalization programs for foreigners in recent years. It is based on the royal decree Real Decreto-Ley 316/2026, approved by the government on April 14, 2026. The new program represents an extraordinary regularization (often called "amnesty" or "mass legalization") and is designed for hundreds of thousands of people residing in Spain without status or with pending protection procedures.
Who Can Apply for This Type of Residence Permit
Foreigners who applied for international protection in Spain before January 1, 2026, and whose request has not yet been resolved at the time of application
Foreigners in illegal status who entered Spain before January 1, 2026, and are in the country at the time of application
Program Benefits
Temporary right to work from the moment of receiving notification of case review commencement.
Important: The employer is not required to pay social security contributions until the permit is obtained — they are calculated from the moment of legalization. This removes a barrier for employers.
Possibility to extend the current permit for 1 year and modify it to another residence permit with work authorization immediately for 4 years (upon meeting certain conditions).
Possibility of joint application with family members provided they live together with:
children (minors or adults with disabilities)
parents of the main applicant
Cancellation of deportation: approval of this residence permit entails automatic closure of current deportation or expulsion cases due to illegal residence.
Simplified rules for other types of settlement
If you have already submitted an application for a residence permit on another settlement basis during the period from May 20, 2025 to April 15, 2026 inclusive, you do not need to submit documents separately for Arraigo Extraordinario.
Your current application will be reviewed in the general flow of extraordinary regularization cases, provided you meet the main program requirements:
you entered Spain before January 1, 2026
you have been in Spain for at least 5 months
you have confirmed the absence of a criminal record
Key Requirements for Arraigo Extraordinario Residence Permit
Be an adult and be in Spain at the time of application
Entry to Spain before January 1, 2026
Continuous residence in Spain for at least 5 months at the time of application
Have no criminal convictions in Spain, in the country of citizenship, or previous residence for 5 years before entering Spain
Have no entry ban to the Schengen zone
Have no other residence permit in Spain, including temporary protection for Ukrainians
Have no current residence permit applications under review
School-age children (6-16 years) must attend a Spanish school
For international protection applicants — application submitted before January 1, 2026, and case under review status
For applicants in illegal status — must meet at least one of the conditions:
employment activity: you have previously worked in Spain (alta status in the social security system — as an employee or as autónomo), have a current contract, or plan to be self-employed
family ties: you live together with minor children, adult children with disabilities, or parents
vulnerable situation, confirmed by a special report from a social service or accredited NGO (factors: social isolation, victims of violence and discrimination, extreme poverty, labor exploitation, psychosocial risks, etc.)
List of Documents for Application
All applicants must meet the above requirements, however, the list of necessary documents differs for persons with asylum seeker status (DA 20) and for all other categories of applicants who are in illegal status at the time of application (DA 20)
Application Procedure
Deadlines and Submission Methods
from April 16 — online through the Mercurio platform (only with Certificado digital, Cl@ve is not suitable)
from April 20 — in person or through a representative at specially designated Correos offices, Seguridad Social Oficinas de Extranjería by appointment (select REGULARIZACIÓN section, Cl@ve is acceptable)
June 30, 2026 — deadline for accepting applications under the extraordinary regularization program.
Review Period
After submitting the application, the administration is obliged to:
Issue a "provisional" — temporary confirmation of submission — within 15 days
Make a decision on the application within 3 months
If no decision is communicated after this time, the application is considered rejected (negative administrative silence).
Permit Duration
The permit is issued for a period of 1 year for adult applicants and for a period of 5 years for children.
After receiving a positive decision granting you the right to reside and work in Spain, you must:
— within 30 days submit documents to obtain a plastic foreigner's card (TIE)
— withdraw the international protection application (only for applicants who submitted form EX-31)
Permit Renewal
The current permit can be renewed for another 1 year while maintaining the right to work.
Renewal conditions: the applicant registers as unemployed at the employment office, gains access to employment programs, and is actively seeking work.
Renewal window: 2 months before the expiration of the current permit or within 3 months after.
Permit Modification
The current permit can be modified to another type of residence permit with work authorization in Spain for a period of 4 years. This is a standard residencia de larga duración in perspective.
Modification conditions: the applicant must have worked for at least 3 months during the validity period of the current permit and be in active employment status (under an employment contract or as autónomo) at the time of submitting the modification application.
Renewal window: 2 months before the expiration of the current permit or within 3 months after.
