Spain's new 2025 Immigration Regulation eases access to residence permits: learn about arraigo without a job contract and new options for family members of Spanish citizens.

On May 20, 2025, Spain's new Immigration Regulation comes into force, bringing major changes for foreigners living in Spain or planning to move here. This reform simplifies residence processes, reduces waiting times, and introduces new legal pathways that better reflect the realities of migrants. If you are living in Spain without documents, are a family member of a Spanish citizen, or are seeking new ways to regularize your situation, these changes may directly affect you.

This article, written by the legal team at Visal Immigration Lawyers, explains the key reforms in a clear and practical way, including the new arraigo social without a job offer, the different types of arraigo residence, the creation of a specific residence permit for family members of Spanish citizens, and the rules affecting asylum seekers and unaccompanied minors. We also include examples from real-life cases and answer the most common questions our clients are asking right now.

Arraigo Social: Now Without an Employment Contract

One of the most notable reforms affects the arraigo social residence permit. Until now, a valid job offer was a strict requirement. From May 20, this is no longer necessary. Instead, applicants can provide proof of sufficient financial means, such as savings, support from family, or income from freelance activities. The requirement of continuous residence in Spain has also been reduced from 3 years to 2 years.

Applicants still need to prove integration through either:

• an integration report from their local authority, or

• family ties with legal residents in Spain (spouse, children, or parents).

This opens the door for thousands of people who were integrated but unable to obtain formal employment contracts.

Example: Daniela has lived in Spain for 2.5 years and works informally as a cleaner. She has savings, and her partner has a valid residence permit. With the new rules, she can now apply for arraigo social by proving her financial means and relationship, without needing a job contract.

New Arraigo Pathways: Sociolaboral, Socio-formativo, and Second-Chance

The 2025 Regulation introduces new types of arraigo permits, each tailored to different situations:

1. Arraigo Sociolaboral For those with 2 years of residence in Spain and a part-time or multiple job contracts that total at least 20 hours per week. The salary must match the minimum wage proportionally. This is a huge improvement over the previous requirement of 30+ hours.

2. Arraigo Socio-formativo This allows people with 2 years in Spain to enroll in an official training course and obtain a one-year permit. The new rule allows part-time work (up to 30 hours per week) during the course—previously not allowed.

3. Arraigo Second-Chance A completely new option for those who held a residence permit in the past 2 years but lost it due to reasons beyond their control (e.g., job loss, overstaying abroad). It grants a one-year residence permit to re-enter the system.

Example: Ahmed had a residence card but lost it after being abroad for 10 months. Under the second-chance arraigo, he can now apply for a new permit without starting over.

Arraigo Familiar: Limited to EU Nationals

The arraigo familiar permit is now only available to parents of minor EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and legal guardians of adult dependents from these countries. If your family member is Spanish, you will no longer apply through arraigo familiar.

This major change redirects Spanish-related cases to a new family residence permit, described below.

New Family Residence Permit for Spanish Citizens' Relatives

Family members of Spanish citizens will now apply through a specific residence permit. This includes:

• Spouses or registered partners of Spanish nationals

• Parents of Spanish nationals

• Children of Spanish nationals under 26, or older if dependent

Key elements:

• Applicants already in Spain may apply directly if they entered before the regulation was announced.

• Ascendants (parents) must apply from their country of origin unless they are over 80 years old or already in Spain before November 20, 2024.

• Proof of sufficient financial means and housing is required.

Example: Lina is married to a Spanish citizen and has lived in Spain for a year. Under the new rules, she can apply for the family residence permit from within Spain, as long as her husband proves financial stability.

Asylum Seekers and the 2-Year Rule

A major legal change is that time spent in Spain as an asylum seeker no longer counts toward arraigo. This affects people whose asylum applications are denied: they will need to wait 2 years in irregular status before becoming eligible for arraigo.

Temporary Exception: If your asylum was denied before May 20, 2025, you can apply for arraigo after just 6 months, but this exception only applies until May 2026.

Unaccompanied Minors

The new regulation maintains protections for unaccompanied foreign minors. When they reach adulthood, they can continue to hold residence and work permits, with simplified renewal requirements.

Top 5 Questions About the New Regulation

1. Can I apply for arraigo social without a job contract? Yes. From May 20, 2025, you can provide proof of economic means instead of an employment contract. This includes savings, help from relatives, or income from freelance work.

2. I lost my residence permit recently. Can I apply again? Yes. The "second-chance arraigo" lets you apply if you lost your permit in the past 2 years due to reasons like job loss or extended travel. You’ll receive a one-year permit.

3. What if I’m married to a Spanish citizen? You must now apply for the new residence permit for family members of Spanish nationals. This requires proof of marriage and sufficient financial means.

4. Does my asylum waiting time count for arraigo? No. As of May 20, asylum waiting periods no longer count. However, if your application was denied before that date, you can apply for arraigo after 6 months (only until May 2026).

5. Can I work while studying under arraigo socio-formativo? Yes. You can now work up to 30 hours per week while enrolled in an accredited training program, which was not allowed under the old rules.

Conclusion: Get Legal Help to Navigate These Changes

The 2025 Immigration Regulation brings both opportunities and challenges. For many foreigners in Spain, these updates mean it's finally possible to regularize your situation. But the procedures and requirements are complex and vary depending on your background and family situation.

At Visal Immigration Lawyers, we specialize in Spanish immigration law and have already helped hundreds of clients prepare for this reform. If you're unsure which path is best for you, or if you need help gathering the correct documents, we’re here for you.

Contact us today at +34 618 702 253 or visit www.visalimmigration.com for personalized legal assistance. Let us help you take advantage of this important opportunity to live and work legally in Spain.