Learn how to complete Spain’s EX-32 form for the 2026 extraordinary regularization. Step-by-step guide by immigration lawyers in Spain.

Spain’s 2026 extraordinary regularization has created an important opportunity for many foreign nationals who are currently living in Spain without a valid residence or stay authorization. However, one of the most common questions we receive at Visal Immigration Lawyers is also one of the most practical: how should the EX-32 form be completed correctly?

The EX-32 is the official application form used to request the application of the Twenty-First Additional Provision of the Spanish Immigration Regulations, introduced by Royal Decree 316/2026. This provision regulates a temporary residence authorization due to exceptional circumstances, specifically on the basis of extraordinary arraigo. The official EX-32 form includes sections for the foreign applicant’s personal details, the representative’s details, the address for notifications, the type of authorization requested, family-related information, a declaration regarding self-employment, and specific annexes related to criminal record certificates and vulnerability situations.

This is not a form that should be completed automatically or casually. The boxes selected in the form must match the applicant’s real situation, the legal route chosen, and the evidence submitted with the application. A mistake in the form may lead to a request for additional documents, delays, or even a negative decision.

The extraordinary arraigo authorization under the Twenty-First Additional Provision is aimed at foreign nationals who were in Spain before 1 January 2026 and who meet the cumulative legal requirements established by the regulation. In addition, the applicant must prove at least one of the specific qualifying circumstances: having worked or intending to work, remaining in Spain with a qualifying family unit, or being in a situation of vulnerability accredited by competent entities. The application can be submitted until 30 June 2026.

If you are not sure whether your case qualifies, or if you need help preparing the form and the documents, you can schedule your consultation here with one of our immigration lawyers.

Download the official EX-32 form

The EX-32 form should always be downloaded from an official source. The Spanish Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration includes the EX-32 among its official immigration application forms. The official models page identifies the EX-32 as the form for residence authorization due to exceptional circumstances on the basis of extraordinary arraigo under the Twenty-First Additional Provision.

You can download the official EX-32 form here:

Download the official EX-32 form

It is very important not to use outdated forms, unofficial copies, or modified versions found on third-party websites. In immigration procedures, especially in new or extraordinary procedures, the Administration is usually strict regarding the correct model, the applicant’s signature, the selected boxes, and the consistency between the form and the supporting documents.

What is the EX-32 form?

The EX-32 is the official form for applying for a temporary residence authorization due to exceptional circumstances by reason of extraordinary arraigo. It should not be confused with other immigration forms, such as the EX-10, which is used for other types of exceptional circumstances, or the EX-24, which is used for certain family members of Spanish citizens.

The purpose of the EX-32 is to identify the applicant, define the specific legal basis of the application, and allow the Administration to process the case under the special procedure established for the 2026 extraordinary regularization.

The extraordinary arraigo route was created for foreign nationals who were already in Spain before 1 January 2026 and who meet the specific requirements of the Twenty-First Additional Provision. These include being of legal age, being in Spain at the time of submission, not holding a valid stay or residence authorization, not being an interested party in certain ongoing residence or stay procedures, providing a complete copy of the passport or equivalent document, proving uninterrupted stay in Spain during the five months prior to the application, having no relevant criminal record, not representing a threat to public order, and paying the corresponding administrative fee.

The EX-32 is therefore much more than a simple administrative document. It is the formal entry point into the immigration file. What is written in the form must be aligned with the legal strategy of the case.

Before completing the EX-32: identify the correct legal route

Before writing anything on the form, the first step is to determine which route applies to your situation. This is essential because section 4 of the EX-32 requires the applicant to select the type of authorization and the specific circumstance on which the application is based.

The regulation requires the applicant to prove at least one of the following circumstances: having worked in Spain or intending to work, remaining in Spain with a qualifying family unit, or being in a situation of vulnerability properly certified by competent social assistance entities or registered Third Sector entities.

In practice, many people may think they fall under more than one category. For example, a person may have worked, have minor children in Spain, and also be in a difficult economic situation. However, the application should be presented in a clear and legally coherent way. The objective is not to tick boxes without a strategy, but to select the strongest route and provide evidence that supports it.

This is one of the most important points in the process. If you mark a box but do not provide the evidence required for that box, the Administration may issue a request for additional documentation. If the request is not answered correctly and within the deadline, the application may be archived.

At Visal Immigration Lawyers, we recommend reviewing the case before completing the form. If you want an immigration lawyer to assess which route is stronger in your case, you can schedule your consultation here.

Section 1: foreign applicant’s personal details

The first section of the EX-32 asks for the foreign applicant’s personal information. This includes passport number, NIE if available, surname, second surname, first name, sex, date and place of birth, country of birth, nationality, marital status, father’s name, mother’s name, address in Spain, mobile phone number, and email address.

Although this section appears simple, many errors occur here. The applicant’s name and surname should match the passport exactly. If the passport only shows one surname, a second surname should not be invented. If the order of names differs from the Spanish format, the passport should normally be followed. If there are special characters, compound names, or transliterations, consistency with the passport and the rest of the documents is essential.

The date of birth must be written in day, month, and year format. The official form indicates that the correct format is dd/mm/yyyy. Marital status must also be selected correctly, as this may become relevant if family members are included or if the application is based on a family unit.

The address in Spain must be real and current. It is not advisable to use an address where the applicant does not actually live or where notifications cannot be received. Even when electronic notifications are used, the address remains an important part of the file.

Section 2: representative’s details

Section 2 should be completed when the application is submitted through a representative. This is common when an immigration lawyer acts on behalf of the applicant.

In that case, the form should include the representative’s name or business name, ID number, address in Spain, mobile phone number, email address, and the legal basis for the representation. When a lawyer files the application, it is usually advisable to attach a signed authorization from the client.

This section should not be confused with the notification address. A representative may submit the application, while the notification section may identify who should receive official communications from the Administration.

This distinction matters because immigration deadlines are often strict. If the Administration issues a request for documents, the applicant or representative must respond within the deadline indicated in the notification. Under the regulation, if the application is incomplete, the Administration may issue a request to correct the defects, and the deadline granted may not exceed fifteen days.

If you do not have experience with Spanish immigration procedures or electronic notifications, professional assistance can help prevent avoidable mistakes. You can schedule your consultation here and we will review your case before filing.

Section 3: address for notifications

The notification section is one of the most important parts of the EX-32. This is where the applicant indicates who should receive official communications from the Administration.

The form includes a box allowing the applicant to consent to communications and notifications being made through the Single Enabled Electronic Address, known in Spain as DEHú. This box should not be marked without understanding its consequences. If electronic notifications are used, it is necessary to have a valid digital certificate or Cl@ve system in order to access the notification. The official EX-32 form itself warns that access to the notification requires a certificate linked to the DNI or NIE indicated in the notification section.

Missing an electronic notification may have serious consequences. A request for documents may have a short deadline, and failure to answer properly may lead to the file being archived. For this reason, the person or professional receiving the notifications must be able to monitor them correctly.

Section 4: type of authorization

Section 4 is the central part of the EX-32 form. Here the applicant must indicate the type of authorization requested.

The form includes several options, including being in an irregular administrative situation, having worked during the stay in Spain or presenting a work commitment, remaining in Spain with the family unit, being in a situation of vulnerability, minor children born in Spain, minor children not born in Spain, family members of another applicant under the Twenty-First Additional Provision, and extensions related to authorizations granted under this provision.

The box referring to irregular administrative status is relevant because this authorization is designed for people who do not currently hold a valid stay or residence authorization. However, ticking that box alone is not enough. The applicant must still prove the rest of the legal requirements.

The box concerning work should be used when the application is based on previous work in Spain or on the intention to work. The regulation allows the applicant to prove having worked either as an employee or as a self-employed person. It also allows the applicant to prove the intention to work as an employee through a job offer, or as a self-employed person through a responsible declaration submitted using the specific model. For employment contracts, the regulation accepts the different contractual modalities provided by the applicable rules, provided that the contract or the sum of contracts has a duration of more than ninety days in one year.

The family unit box should be considered when the applicant remains in Spain with minor children, adult children with disabilities or health conditions that prevent them from supporting themselves, or first-degree ascendants with whom the applicant lives.

The vulnerability box must be treated with particular caution. It should not be selected simply because the applicant is in an irregular situation or has financial difficulties. Vulnerability must be certified using the specific model by competent social assistance entities or registered Third Sector entities. The EX-32 includes an Annex II for the accreditation of vulnerability, referring to situations such as social isolation, lack of support network, precarious housing, lack of sufficient income, difficulty accessing employment, dependants, psychosocial risks, or exposure to exploitation or abuse.

If you are unsure which box should be selected in section 4, it is advisable to obtain legal guidance before filing the application. You can schedule your consultation here with Visal Immigration Lawyers.

Section 5: minors, parents, guardians, and family members

Section 5 is designed for minors, parents, guardians, or family members of another foreign national who has applied under the Twenty-First Additional Provision.

This section becomes especially important when applications are filed simultaneously for family members. The regulation allows certain family members, such as first-degree ascendants, spouses, or registered partners who form part of the same household, to apply simultaneously, with the files being resolved together.

When this section applies, the family relationship must be properly documented. This may require birth certificates, marriage certificates, registered partnership certificates, or other family documents. Depending on the country of issue, these documents may need to be apostilled or legalized and translated into Spanish by a sworn translator.

If minor children are involved, special attention must be paid to proof of filiation, presence in Spain, schooling where relevant, and the correct immigration route for the child. The form itself refers to situations involving minor children born in Spain and minor children not born in Spain, and the regulation also includes specific transitional rules for accompanied minors and certain persons with disabilities.

Section 6: responsible declaration for self-employment

Section 6 of the EX-32 concerns the intention to carry out a self-employed activity. This section should be completed when the applicant wants to base the application on future self-employment or professional activity in Spain.

The description of the activity should be clear, realistic, and consistent with the supporting documents. A vague description is not advisable. Instead, the applicant should briefly explain the type of activity intended: cleaning services, hospitality, delivery, retail, hairdressing, design, repair services, consulting, professional services, or another specific activity.

The regulation allows the intention to work as a self-employed person to be proven through a responsible declaration submitted using the specific model.

This section also contains declarations related to not being subject to a commitment not to return to Spain and not having healthcare coverage in Spain charged to another State or a third party obliged to pay. These declarations should be reviewed carefully before signing.

Applicants should never sign declarations they do not understand. If you are planning to apply through self-employment or you do not know how to describe your activity, you can schedule your consultation here before submitting the file.

Signature, place, and date

The EX-32 must be signed. A missing signature can cause problems, including a request for correction or issues with the validity of the application.

The place and date should also be completed. The date should be consistent with the date of submission and with the rest of the file. If the application is submitted electronically, the signed version must be uploaded correctly. It is also advisable to keep a full copy of the signed form and the proof of submission.

Formal details matter in immigration procedures. A form that is unsigned, incomplete, inconsistent, or uploaded incorrectly may delay the case unnecessarily.

Criminal record certificates and the EX-32 annexes

Criminal record certificates are one of the most sensitive parts of the 2026 extraordinary regularization. The applicant must prove the absence of relevant criminal records in the terms required by the regulation. The Spanish authorities will also obtain certain reports ex officio, including information from the Spanish Central Criminal Records Register, EU databases, and police reports.

For criminal records from the country of origin or countries where the applicant lived during the five years before entering Spain, the applicant must provide the criminal record certificate or equivalent document issued by the relevant authorities.

The EX-32 includes special annexes for cases where the applicant cannot obtain the criminal record certificate. Annex I-1 is a responsible declaration stating that the applicant does not have an entry ban, is not subject to a commitment not to return to Spain, and has requested the criminal record certificate from the relevant country but has not received it after one month. Annex I-2 is an application for the criminal record certificate to the country of origin or residence, written in Spanish and English.

This exceptional mechanism should not be understood as an easy alternative to obtaining criminal records. The applicant must prove that the certificate was properly requested and that one month has passed without receiving it. The regulation requires the applicant to submit the proof of request, the responsible declaration, and the authorization for the Spanish authorities to request the certificate through diplomatic channels.

In practice, if the certificate can be obtained, it is usually safer to prepare it in advance, with apostille or legalization and sworn translation into Spanish where required.

Documents that should accompany the EX-32

The EX-32 form is only one part of the application. The supporting documents are what prove that the applicant actually meets the legal requirements.

Each case must be reviewed individually, but the application will usually require a complete copy of the passport, proof that the applicant was in Spain before 1 January 2026, proof of uninterrupted presence in Spain during the five months before filing, criminal record certificates or the specific alternative documents when the certificate cannot be obtained, proof of payment of the administrative fee, and evidence related to work, intended work, family unit, or vulnerability.

The regulation allows uninterrupted stay in Spain to be proven by any valid evidence in law, provided that it includes personal data that identify the applicant.

In practice, useful evidence may include empadronamiento certificates, medical documents, school records, administrative communications, bank documents, contracts, invoices, social reports, appointment confirmations, healthcare documents, social services records, proof of cohabitation, and other documents showing real and continuous presence in Spain.

The key is not to submit a disorganized pile of documents. A strong application should be clear, structured, and coherent. In many cases, it is advisable to include a legal cover letter explaining how each document proves the relevant requirement.

Common mistakes when completing the EX-32

One of the most common mistakes is ticking several boxes without a clear strategy. This may make the application confusing. Another frequent mistake is claiming vulnerability without having the specific certificate issued by a competent entity.

Other common errors include submitting the form without signature, using personal details that do not match the passport, giving an incorrect email address, failing to monitor electronic notifications, or using an address where the applicant cannot receive communications.

A particularly serious mistake is submitting weak evidence of presence in Spain. The regulation requires uninterrupted stay in Spain during the five months prior to the application. This should be proven with objective documents that identify the applicant and show presence in Spain during the relevant period.

Another risk is leaving criminal record certificates until the last minute. Many foreign certificates require apostille or legalization and sworn translation into Spanish. If the certificate cannot be obtained, the exceptional annexes must be used correctly, with proof that the certificate was requested and that one month has passed without response.

Finally, applicants should not wait until the final days before 30 June 2026 to prepare the file. Documents from abroad, apostilles, sworn translations, social reports, and family documents may take time.

If you want your application to be reviewed before submission, you can schedule your consultation here with our team.

What happens after submitting the EX-32?

Once the application has been submitted, the Administration will review whether the requirements are met and whether the necessary documents have been provided.

One of the most important features of this procedure is that, from the communication confirming the start of the procedure and until the case is resolved, the applicant is provisionally authorized to reside and work as an employee or as a self-employed person throughout Spain, in any occupation or sector. The communication of initiation must state that the applicant is provisionally authorized to work.

This provisional authorization is important, but it must be understood correctly. If the application is refused, the provisional authorization to work is automatically lost. If the applicant has been working as an employee, the applicant must immediately inform the employer of the result once the decision is notified.

The maximum period for issuing and notifying the decision is three months from the day after the application enters the register of the competent authority, although this period may be suspended in certain cases. If no decision is notified within the maximum period, the application is deemed rejected by administrative silence.

How long does the authorization last?

If granted, the extraordinary arraigo residence authorization is valid for one year. It authorizes the holder to reside and work as an employee and as a self-employed person anywhere in Spain, in any occupation or sector.

During the two months before the expiry date, the holder must apply for a modification under the Immigration Regulations. This means that the 2026 extraordinary regularization should be understood as a first step toward regular residence, not as the end of the process.

In exceptional cases, if the holder cannot apply for a modification, the authorization may be extended if the person proves active job search and registration with the public employment service, or submits a favorable integration effort report. There are also specific exceptional extensions for circumstances such as serious illness, disability, or retirement age.

Practical advice from Visal Immigration Lawyers

Completing the EX-32 correctly requires more than filling in personal details. It requires understanding the legal basis of the application, selecting the correct box, proving the five-month continuous presence, preparing criminal record certificates, checking whether documents need apostille or legalization, obtaining sworn translations when necessary, and ensuring that the form and documents tell the same story.

At Visal Immigration Lawyers, we recommend approaching the application in five steps. First, confirm that the applicant meets the general requirements. Second, identify the strongest route: work, intention to work, family unit, or vulnerability. Third, gather and organize the evidence. Fourth, complete the EX-32 form consistently. Fifth, submit the application and monitor all notifications carefully.

A well-prepared file can make the Administration’s review easier. A confusing, incomplete, or contradictory file may lead to delays and unnecessary complications.

If you are preparing your 2026 extraordinary regularization application in Spain, you can schedule your consultation here. Our immigration lawyers can review your case and help you prepare a clear and solid application.

Related immigration topics

If you are interested in regularizing your situation in Spain, you may also want to read about other immigration options, such as family residence as a family member of a Spanish citizen, the Digital Nomad Visa in Spain, student residence permits, or non-lucrative residence in Spain.

These procedures are different from the EX-32 extraordinary regularization, but in some cases it may be important to compare options before filing. Choosing the wrong procedure can cause delays or even make the applicant lose time that could have been used to prepare a stronger application.

Frequently asked questions about the EX-32 and Spain’s 2026 extraordinary regularization

Can I complete the EX-32 form myself?

Yes, you can complete the EX-32 yourself, but you should do it carefully. The form must match your legal route and supporting documents. A mistake in the selected boxes, signature, notifications, or evidence of presence in Spain can complicate the case. Legal review is highly advisable before filing.

Which box should I select in section 4?

It depends on your situation. The application may be based on previous work, intention to work, family unit, or certified vulnerability. You should not select boxes without documents supporting them. The correct option should be chosen after reviewing your personal circumstances and the available evidence.

Do I need a criminal record certificate?

Yes. Criminal record certificates are generally required from the country of origin and from countries where the applicant lived during the five years before entering Spain. If the certificate cannot be obtained, there is an exceptional mechanism, but it requires proof that the certificate was requested and not received after one month.

Until when can I submit the application?

The extraordinary arraigo application under the Twenty-First Additional Provision can be submitted until 30 June 2026. However, waiting until the last moment is risky. Criminal records, apostilles, sworn translations, vulnerability certificates, and family documents may take time. Preparing the file early is strongly recommended.

Does submitting the EX-32 allow me to work?

From the communication confirming the start of the procedure, the applicant is provisionally authorized to reside and work until the decision is issued. However, this provisional authorization is lost if the application is refused. The applicant should keep the communication and understand the legal consequences carefully.

Do you need a personalized consultation?

At Visal Immigration Lawyers, we are immigration lawyers in Spain. We assist foreign nationals with residence permits, immigration regularization procedures, family residence applications, student permits, Digital Nomad Visa applications, and other immigration matters.

If you are preparing your EX-32 application for Spain’s 2026 extraordinary regularization, we can help you assess whether you qualify, complete the form correctly, organize your documents, and submit a well-prepared application.

You can contact us by WhatsApp only at 618 702 253 or visit our website: www.visalimmigration.com.

You can also schedule your consultation here with one of our immigration lawyers.

The 2026 extraordinary regularization may be an important opportunity for many foreign nationals living in Spain, but it must be prepared seriously. Each case is different. A strong application requires legal analysis, correct documentation, and careful presentation.

If you want an immigration lawyer to study your case before filing, schedule your consultation here.