Arraigo sociolaboral in Spain
A guide to checking whether you meet the requirements, which contracts qualify, what documents to submit and how to apply for this residence authorization on exceptional grounds.
Were you looking for the former “arraigo laboral”? The current arraigo sociolaboral is not the former authorization, which was based simply on proving a previous employment relationship of six months. The current route is based on one or more contracts that meet the regulatory requirements .
What is arraigo sociolaboral?
This is a temporary residence authorization on exceptional grounds that may be granted to certain foreign nationals in Spain who have lived here for at least two years and have one or more employment contracts.
Residence in Spain
As a general rule, you must have been in Spain for at least two continuous years before submitting your application.
Contract or contracts
The arraigo sociolaboral route is based on employment under the required conditions.
Exceptional authorization
It is one of the current arraigo categories governed by the Immigration Regulations.
Arraigo sociolaboral requirements
You must meet the general requirements as well as the specific conditions for the employment contracts.
Be in Spain. You must not be subject to the EU citizen regime under the terms set out in the regulations.
Not be an applicant for international protection when you submit the application or while it is being processed.
Continuous residence for two years. The time during which an application for international protection was being processed does not count, under the terms set out in the Regulations.
No criminal record in Spain or in the countries where you have lived during the five years before entering Spain, for offences under Spanish law.
Not pose a threat to public order, security or public health, and not be listed as a person whose entry may be refused, where applicable.
Not be subject to a commitment not to return where applicable.
Pay the applicable fee for processing the application.
Compatible immigration status. The current Regulations require that you do not hold a stay or residence authorization and are not an interested party in certain procedures for granting, extending, renewing or changing an authorization.
If you have applied for international protection: specific rules apply to how your time in Spain is calculated. Check your situation before assuming that all the time you have spent in Spain counts towards the two years.
What kind of contract qualifies for Arraigo sociolaboral?
You can submit one or several contracts. What matters is that, taken together, they meet the requirements for working hours, pay and other employment conditions.
A single contract
You can submit a single contract, provided it meets the required working hours and pay on its own.
Multiple employers
Several concurrent contracts are allowed when you work part-time for more than one employer, including in different occupations.
Seasonal work
Contracts with different employers for seasonal or other temporary work may be submitted, provided they are linked together under the applicable terms.
Fixed-term contracts
The official instructions clarify that, when fixed-term contracts are submitted, the contract or total duration of all such contracts must be more than 90 days.
The SEM Instructions 1/2025 clarify that Arraigo sociolaboral cannot be obtained by proving self-employment. If you plan to work as a self-employed person, you should consider another route.
Employer requirements
The Immigration Office also checks that the employer or employers meet certain conditions.
Tax and Social Security
The employer must be up to date with their tax and Social Security obligations.
Sufficient financial resources
They must have sufficient financial, material or human resources for their business and to meet the obligations arising from the contract.
Documents required for Arraigo sociolaboral
Form EX-10 duly completed and signed.
Complete passport, travel document or registration certificate.
Evidence of your stay in Spain for the required period.
Criminal record certificates as required.
Employment contract or contracts signed by the employee and employer.
Employer’s documents to prove identity, representation and financial solvency.
Professional qualifications, when legally required to practise the profession.
How to apply for Arraigo sociolaboral
Prepare Form EX-10
Use the official form for a residence authorization on exceptional grounds.
Gather the contracts and documents
Check both your documents and those the employer must provide.
Submit the application
You can submit it in person at the Immigration Office in the province where you live, or online through Mercurio.
Pay the fee
The applicable fee is Form 790, Code 052, item 2.3.1. The official information sheet states that it must be paid within the applicable ten working days.
Provisional permission to work while the application is being processed
Once the Arraigo sociolaboral application has been accepted for processing and while a decision is pending, the official information sheet provides for provisional authorisation to reside and work as an employee . The notice confirming the start of processing must state this circumstance.
What happens after you submit your application?
Decision period
The official decision period is three months from the day after the application is entered in the competent authority’s register.
Administrative silence
If the deadline passes without notification, the application may be deemed refused due to administrative silence.
Registration with Social Security
The effectiveness of the authorization granted is conditional on the worker being registered under the relevant scheme within the prescribed period.
Applying for the TIE
Once the authorization has been granted, you must apply in person for the Foreigner Identity Card (TIE) within the specified period.
Length of the authorization
The initial arraigo sociolaboral authorization is valid for one year.
Change or extension
At the end of the authorization period, you can consider changing to an initial residence and work authorization or applying for an extension, subject to the applicable requirements.
Arraigo sociolaboral or arraigo social
The key factor is the employment contracts
It is intended for people who meet the general requirements and have one or more valid employment contracts that meet the required working hours and salary.
See the requirements for employment contractsThe key factor is family ties or integration
It follows a different approach and is based on eligible family ties or a favourable social integration report, together with the required financial means.
See the arraigo social guideAlways check the current regulations
This guide was reviewed with reference to official documentation. Before submitting your application, check which requirements apply to your situation.
Questions about arraigo sociolaboral
How long do I need to have lived in Spain?
As a general rule, you must have lived in Spain continuously for at least two years immediately before applying.
How many hours must the employment contract cover?
The contract or combined contracts must amount to at least twenty hours of work per week overall.
Can I submit several contracts?
Yes. The regulations allow several contracts in certain cases, such as simultaneous part-time work for several employers or seasonal work under consecutive contracts.
Is a fixed-term contract acceptable?
It may be accepted. The official instructions state that, when fixed-term contracts are submitted, the contract or combined contracts must have a duration of more than 90 days.
Can I apply for arraigo sociolaboral as a self-employed person?
Not under this route. The official instructions state that arraigo sociolaboral cannot be obtained by demonstrating self-employment.
How long does the Immigration Office take to decide?
The official decision period is three months. If that period elapses without notification, administrative silence is deemed a refusal, as set out in the official guidance.
How long does arraigo sociolaboral last?
The authorization granted is initially valid for one year.
Can I work while my application is being processed?
Sheet 29 states that, once the application has been admitted for processing and until a decision is made, provisional authorization to reside and work as an employee is granted.
Check your contracts and documents
A contract that does not meet the requirements or an incompatible immigration status can completely change the viability of your application.