Freshness tracker · ESSpain

Second-chance arraigo becomes available to former permit holders

In force Residency

The replacement Immigration Regulation introduced arraigo de segunda oportunidad. It can cover a person who held a renewable residence authorisation not granted for exceptional circumstances during the two years before applying and whose renewal or extension failed for qualifying reasons. The resulting authorisation lasts one year and includes unrestricted employee and self-employed work permission. It is not a general route for anyone who once held two years of residence.

Who it affects

People in Spain whose renewable non-exceptional residence authorisation ended or was not renewed within the preceding two years.

Sources

Primary: Ministry of Inclusion — second-chance arraigo guidance ↗

Corroborating: BOE — Real Decreto 1155/2024 ↗

Verified 2026-08-02 · methodology