This guide provides the translated requirements and procedures for obtaining residence authorization under the Extraordinary Regularisation Process 2026 in Spain, based on the official framework established by Real Decreto 316/2026.
2) REQUIREMENTS (REQUISITOS)
To be eligible for this extraordinary process, applicants must satisfy three core "threshold" conditions:
- Presence in Spain before December 31, 2025: You must prove you entered Spanish territory before this cut-off date.
- Continuous Residence of 5 Months: You must demonstrate a minimum continuous stay of five months in Spain immediately prior to filing the application. This period must be uninterrupted (no exits from Spain during these five months).
- No Criminal Record: You must have no criminal record in Spain, your country of origin, or any country where you resided during the five years prior to entering Spain.
- Third-Country Nationality: This process is exclusively for non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss nationals.
3) REASON WHY TO GET AN AUTHORIZATION IN SPAIN
This residence authorization is granted for exceptional circumstances, specifically for reasons of extraordinary establishment (arraigo extraordinario).
Its purpose is to regularise the administrative situation of foreign nationals who:
- Have been present in Spain prior to the established reference date.
- Are integrated or in the process of integration into Spanish society.
- Require access to legal residence and employment.
Applicants who are not asylum seekers must prove one of the following supplementary grounds:
3.1) EXTRAORDINARY ESTABLISHMENT DUE TO EMPLOYMENT (ARRAIGO EXTRAORDINARIO CON ACTIVIDAD LABORAL)
This situation applies to those who have a work history in Spain or a future job prospect.
- Condition: You must have worked in Spain (employee or self-employed) or demonstrate the intention to work by submitting a job offer or a "responsible declaration" for a self-employment project.
- Contract Criteria: The contract (or sum of contracts) must exceed 90 days within a one-year period.
- Document Required: Official application form and proof of employment history or pre-contract. The payment form for the required fee (tasa) can be downloaded from the official Ministry page.
3.2) EXTRAORDINARY ESTABLISHMENT IN THE COUNTRY TO REMAIN WITH YOUR FAMILY (ARRAIGO EXTRAORDINARIO POR PERMANECER JUNTO CON SU UNIDAD FAMILIAR)
This option focuses on maintaining the family unit already residing in Spain.
- Condition: Being part of a family unit that includes minor children, adult children with disabilities, or first-degree ascendants (parents).
- Document Required: Evidence of family ties and cohabitation (such as a collective census certificate). The payment form for the required fee (tasa) can be downloaded from the official Ministry page, and ex-32 form.
3.3) EXTRAORDINARY ESTABLISHMENT IN A SITUATION OF VULNERABILITY (ARRAIGO EXTRAORDINARIO EN SITUACIÓN DE VULNERABILIDAD)
This applies for individuals in precarious social or personal situations.
- Condition: Must be certified through a specific social report issued by competent social services or registered third-sector NGOs.
- Document Required: The specific official vulnerability certificate. The payment form for the required fee (tasa) can be downloaded from the official Ministry page and ex-32 form..
3.4) CASE OF FOREIGN NATIONALS WHO HAVE CHILDREN
The process provides specific, enhanced protections for children to ensure their stability and educational continuity.
- Extended Validity: While adults receive a one-year permit, minor children can be granted an initial authorization valid for five years.
3.4.1) TEMPORARY RESIDENCE PERMIT FOR A FOREIGN MINOR BORN IN SPAIN (Art. 159)
- Applies to: Minors born in Spain who are children or wards of a resident.
- Documentation Required: Official application form ( Model ex-32.), duly completed and signed by the legal representative or the foreign national if applicable.
3.4.2) TEMPORARY RESIDENCE PERMIT FOR A FOREIGN MINOR NOT BORN IN SPAIN (Art. 160)
- Applies to: Minors not born in Spain who are the children or wards of a resident and have stayed in Spain for the required period.
- Documentation Required: Official application form ( Model ex-32.), duly completed and signed.
4) IMPORTANT NOTES
- Documents issued abroad must be translated into Spanish or the co-official language of the territory where the application is submitted.
- Foreign public documents must be previously legalised by the Spanish Consular Office with jurisdiction in the country where the document was issued or, where applicable, by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, unless such document has been apostilled under the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961.
- Asylum Seekers: Applicants who requested international protection before January 1, 2026, are not required to prove the supplementary grounds (employment, family, or vulnerability). They only need to meet the common requirements.
- Territorial Limit: The permit is valid for residence and work exclusively in Spain; it does not grant rights to settle in other EU countries.
5) HOW TO PROCEDURE (PROCEDIMIENTO)
The application window is strictly time-limited and there is currently no foreseen extension.
- Application Window: April 16, 2026, to June 30, 2026.
- Channels:
- Online: Open 24/7 from April 16 via the Ministry's portal.
- In-Person: From April 20, by mandatory prior appointment at Social Security offices, Correos (Post Office) branches, or specific Immigration Offices.
- Appointments: Can be booked via the 060 phone line or the Cl@ve system. A single appointment can cover an entire household unit.
6) Documents of Interest
- Passport: A full copy of all pages (including blank ones).
- Residence Evidence: Empadronamiento (census), medical reports, school records, or utility bills in the applicant's name.
- Criminal Records: Must be translated, legalized/apostilled, and issued within the last three months.
- Official Forms: Application templates (EX-32 or specific regularization forms) and fee payment forms available on the Ministry's portal.
Miscellaneous
- Organic Law 4/2000, of January 11, on the rights and freedoms of foreigners in Spain and their social integration (Article 31.3).
- Royal Decree 1155/2024, of November 19, which approves the Immigration Regulation of Organic Law 4/2000, of January 11, on the rights and freedoms of foreigners in Spain and their social integration (21st Additional Provision).
- Royal Decree 316/2026, of April 14, which modifies Royal Decree 1155/2024, of November 19, regarding the Extraordinary Regularization of foreign nationals.
