Long-term residence procedures

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What is long-term residence?

Long-term residence is an authorization that allows foreign nationals to live and work in Spain indefinitely under the same conditions as Spanish nationals.

What are the requirements to apply for long-term residence authorization, and who can apply in Spain?

The following people can apply for long-term residence authorization:

1. Foreign nationals who have lived legally and continuously in Spain for five years.
2. Foreign nationals who have legally and continuously resided in the European Union as holders of an EU Blue Card, provided they resided in Spain during the two years immediately preceding the application.
3. Foreign nationals residing in Spain who receive a contributory retirement pension from the Social Security system.
4. Foreign nationals residing in Spain who receive a contributory Social Security pension for permanent total incapacity or severe disability, or similar benefits granted in Spain in the form of a sufficient, non-capitalizable life annuity to support themselves.
5. Foreign nationals born in Spain who, upon reaching the age of majority, had lived legally and continuously in Spain for the three years immediately preceding the application.
6. Foreign nationals who were Spanish nationals by origin but lost their Spanish nationality.
7. Stateless persons, refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection who are in Spain and have been granted the corresponding status in Spain.
8. Foreign nationals who have made a notable contribution to Spain’s economic, scientific or cultural progress, or to Spain’s international standing.

What is the procedure for applying for long-term residence in Spain?

The procedure begins when the foreign national submits an application. If they live in Spain, they must apply at the Immigration Office for their place of residence; if they live outside Spain, they must apply at the consular office for their place of residence.

In the case referred to in item 8 of the previous section, the foreign national does not submit the application; instead, the Directorate-General for Immigration initiates the procedure on its own initiative.

Once the application has been received, the Immigration Office will check that the requirements are met, request the relevant reports and issue a decision within a maximum period of 3 months.

Once authorization has been granted, the foreign national must apply for a Foreigner Identity Card (TIE) within 1 month. The long-term residence card must be renewed every 5 years.

What is the difference between the long-term residence card and the EU long-term residence card (EX11)?

The difference between the long-term residence card and the EU long-term residence card is that EU long-term residence authorization allows a foreign national to live and work in Spain indefinitely under the same conditions as Spanish nationals (as does long-term residence), but it also allows them to obtain residence authorization, or residence and work authorization, in other EU Member States.