Complete Guide to Social Roots (Arraigo Social) in Spain 2025

Obtain social roots (arraigo social) in Spain.

The significant reforms to Spain’s Immigration Regulations in recent years have set a precedent. As of today, September 2, 2025, their practical application is consolidated, offering greater clarity and predictability to those seeking to regularize their status in Spain. Within this framework, social roots (arraigo social) remains one of the most relevant pathways.

Understanding Arraigo Social in 2025

Arraigo social is a residency authorization on exceptional grounds. It’s essential to understand that this is not a visa requested from a consulate abroad, but a regularization procedure for non-EU citizens who are already in Spanish territory. Its clear goal is to grant legal status to people who have demonstrable ties with Spanish society.

Unlike a work or study permit, which are based on a future project, arraigo social is grounded in integration that already exists. The applicant must prove that, despite being in an irregular administrative situation, they have been an active part of the community. In 2025, the criteria to demonstrate this integration and continuous stay are more clearly defined, reducing past ambiguity.

This mechanism allows thousands of people each year to move from vulnerability to holding a residence and work permit, making it a key piece of Spain’s migration system. It recognizes that a person, beyond their administrative status, already has roots in the country.

Essential Requirements for a Successful Application

Requirements for social roots in Spain.

The success of a social roots in Spain 2025 application depends on meticulous preparation and strict compliance with several pillars. Every document counts, and an error in any of these points can lead to a refusal.

Continuous residence in Spain

The first pillar is to prove uninterrupted residence in Spain for a minimum of three years immediately prior to the application. The key here is continuity. Absences from Spanish territory during this period cannot exceed a total of 120 days. The main document to prove this is the historical registration certificate (certificado de empadronamiento histórico), although other complementary evidence may be provided.

Absence of a criminal record

It is essential to have no criminal record in Spain or in the countries where you have resided during the last five years. The corresponding certificates must be submitted, duly legalized or apostilled. In addition, if they are not in Spanish, they will require an official sworn translation.

Having an employment contract or your own financial means

The Administration needs guarantees that the applicant will not be a burden on the system. This is mainly demonstrated with a signed employment contract between the employer and the worker. This contract must have a minimum duration of one year and ensure income equal to or greater than the Minimum Interprofessional Wage (SMI). There is flexibility for 20-hour-per-week contracts if there are dependent minor children.

Alternatively, you can submit a viable business plan to work as self-employed, demonstrating that you have the necessary financial resources to launch it.

Proof of social integration

This is one of the most decisive arraigo social requirements. Integration can be proven through two main avenues. The first is through direct family ties with legal residents (spouse, registered partner, parents, or children). The second—and most common—is obtaining a favorable social integration report issued by the City Council where you are registered. This report evaluates language knowledge, participation in local life, and other integration factors. It is essential to be up to date with the required documents, as there have been some changes in documentation for social roots that simplify certain aspects of the process.

Ways to Prove Social Integration

Note: This table compares the main ways to demonstrate social integration for arraigo. The choice of route depends on each applicant’s personal situation. The integration report is the most common for those without direct resident relatives.

The Step-by-Step Application Process

Knowing how to apply for arraigo social is as important as meeting the requirements. An orderly process reduces stress and increases the chances of success. While there are general guides, such as those explaining the step-by-step process, here we focus on the specific phases of arraigo.

1. Gather all documentation: Before starting anything, make sure you have a complete folder. This includes:
   • The official form, known as the EX-10 Form, which can be downloaded from the Immigration portal.
   • Full copy of a valid passport.
   • Proof of continuous stay (historical registration/empadronamiento).
   • Criminal record certificates (apostilled and translated).
   • The employment contract or business plan.
   • Documentation proving integration (family-ties certificates or the social integration report).
2. Submit the application: The recommended route is online via the Mercurio platform using a digital certificate. It’s faster, safer, and allows direct tracking. Alternatively, you can book an appointment at the Immigration Office corresponding to your province.
3. Waiting period and case tracking: The law sets a maximum of three months for the Administration to decide. If there is no response in that time, negative administrative silence applies, meaning the application is considered refused. You can check your case status online with the assigned file number.
4. Procedures after a favorable decision: Congratulations! But the process isn’t over. Once the grant is notified, you have one month to register and/or enroll in Social Security. After this step, you must book an appointment for fingerprinting and issuance of the Foreigner Identity Card (TIE), which is your physical document of legal residence.

Brief Overview of Other Types of Arraigo

Different types of arraigo in Spain.

Although social roots is the best known, it is not the only option. Knowing the other mechanisms helps identify the most appropriate one for each case. Although we focus on social roots here, you can explore more on the different types of arraigo to see which best fits your situation.

Arraigo Laboral (Employment Roots)

Designed for those who, having resided in Spain for at least two years, can prove an employment relationship of at least six months in the last two years. It is a route to regularize those who have worked—even without a formal contract—but whose employment relationship can be proven.

Arraigo para la Formación (Training Roots)

A more recent mechanism. It allows people with two years of residence in Spain to obtain a 12-month permit to undertake regulated training leading to a specific occupation. Once the training is completed, a work permit can be requested.

Arraigo Familiar (Family Roots)

Reserved for very specific scenarios, such as being the parent of a minor with Spanish nationality, or the spouse or registered partner of a Spanish citizen. Its requirements are different and generally more direct than those for social roots.

Frequently Asked Questions and Professional Advice

The road to arraigo social can raise many questions. Here we answer some of the most common.

What if my Arraigo Social application is refused?
It’s not the end of the road. You have two options: file an administrative appeal for reconsideration (recurso de reposición) with the same office that refused it (within one month), or file a contentious-administrative appeal in court (within two months). Many refusals are due to avoidable mistakes if prepared properly, but if it happens, it’s crucial to act quickly.

How do I renew my residence after the first year?
The initial authorization for arraigo social lasts one year. Before it expires, you must modify it to a standard residence and work authorization. To do this, you must prove that you have maintained the employment relationship or that you have contributed a minimum to Social Security during that first year.

Can I travel outside Spain with my Arraigo Social residence?
Yes. Once you have your TIE, you can travel outside Spain and move within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. However, be careful with prolonged absences from Spanish territory, as they could complicate future renewals.

The process can be complex and each case has its particularities. Therefore, seeking advice is a strategic decision. An immigration lawyer in Spain will not only guide you, but also help you avoid common mistakes and present a solid file, maximizing your chances of success.

Final Considerations and Legal Notice

Obtaining arraigo social in 2025 is an achievable goal if approached with seriousness and organization. The key success factors are impeccable document preparation, being proactive in obtaining the integration report in advance, and having a clear understanding of each requirement. This process, although demanding, represents a structured and reliable path toward legal stability in Spain.

EspanaExtranjeria is not an official site of the Government of Spain. The information is general and educational and may contain unintentional errors or become outdated. Always verify with official sources before carrying out procedures.

If you need legal advice about your case, consult a specialist lawyer.

When we link to regulations or official offices, it does not imply sponsorship or endorsement by those bodies.