Permanent or long-term residence in Spain: options and requirements
What is commonly known as permanent residence in Spain is primarily provided for under the general regime through national long-term residence and EU long-term residence . Both allow you to live and work in Spain indefinitely, although there are important differences.
5 years
Five years of legal and continuous residence is the most common route to long-term residence.
Indefinite residence
It allows you to live and work in Spain indefinitely under the same conditions as Spanish citizens.
The TIE must still be renewed
An indefinite residence authorization does not mean that the physical card is valid indefinitely.
What is permanent residence in Spain?
“Permanent residence” is a term commonly used by foreign nationals to refer to a stable, indefinite residence status. However, under the general immigration regime , current legislation mainly uses the terms national long-term residence and EU long-term residence .
The current Immigration Regulations, approved by Royal Decree 1155/2024, regulate these authorizations separately. EU long-term residence is covered by Articles 175 to 178, while national long-term residence is covered by Articles 182 to 185.
National long-term residence or EU long-term residence: what is the difference?
Both allow you to live and work in Spain indefinitely, but their requirements and benefits are not exactly the same.
National long-term residence
This is the general authorization that allows you to live and work in Spain indefinitely under the same conditions as Spanish citizens.
- Standard rule: 5 years of continuous legal residence.
- The Regulations provide for other special cases.
- As a general requirement for this route, you do not have to prove that you have sufficient funds and health insurance as required for EU long-term residence.
- Usual form: EX-11.
EU long-term residence
It also allows you to live and work in Spain indefinitely and grants you EU long-term resident status.
- General rule: 5 years of continuous legal residence.
- You must have sufficient, stable and regular resources.
- You must have health insurance.
- It may make it easier to obtain residence in other Member States, subject to the rules of the destination country.
- Usual form: EX-11.
The requirement of five years of legal and continuous residence
The most common situation is having legally and continuously resided in Spain for the five years immediately preceding the application .
This should not be confused with five years of simply being physically present in Spain. The requirement refers to periods that can legally be counted under the type of long-term residence being applied for.
In addition to this standard route, the regulations provide for specific cases for certain people, including some pensioners, former Spanish nationals by origin, people under public guardianship, stateless persons, refugees or beneficiaries of subsidiary protection, as well as cases involving a notable contribution to Spain.
How long can I have been outside Spain?
Leaving Spain does not automatically mean losing the right to apply for long-term residence. The regulations allow certain periods of absence without breaking the required continuity.
As a general rule, a single period of absence must not exceed six consecutive months.
Total absences must not exceed ten months within the required five-year period.
In certain cases involving absences for work-related reasons, the cumulative maximum may be eighteen months.
How to apply for long-term residence
Although the required documents vary depending on the type of application and the specific circumstances, applications for national long-term residence and EU long-term residence use Form EX-11 .
Check which type is right for you
Consider whether you only need long-term residence in Spain or whether you also meet the requirements for EU long-term residence.
Calculate the five years correctly
Check your residence periods, any interruptions and absences before submitting your application.
Prepare Form EX-11 and the supporting documents
The passport, fee and any additional documents required will depend on your circumstances and the type of long-term residence you are applying for.
Submit your application to the Immigration Office
If you are in Spain, your application should be submitted to the competent Immigration Office and, where the procedure allows, can be submitted online.
Apply for your TIE after approval
Once the authorization has been granted, you must apply in person for the Foreigner Identity Card (TIE), where applicable.
Renew the physical card
The authorization is indefinite, but the TIE has its own renewal periods.
Does long-term residence need to be renewed?
The long-term residence authorization is indefinite , but that does not mean the physical card documenting it is valid indefinitely.
The first renewal of the Foreigner Identity Card (TIE) must be applied for after five years.
The second renewal and all subsequent renewals take place every five years until the age of thirty.
Once you reach the age of thirty, subsequent card renewals must be applied for every ten years.
Permanent residence card for a family member of an EU citizen: a different regime
National long-term residence and EU long-term residence fall under the general regime applicable to third-country nationals. They should not be confused with permanent residence for family members of EU citizens , which is governed by a different legal regime.
Should I choose national long-term residence or EU long-term residence?
If you are looking for indefinite stability in Spain
National long-term residence is usually the most direct route if you meet the five-year requirement and your main goal is to continue living and working in Spain.
See requirements →If you can meet additional requirements
EU long-term residence provides EU-wide status, but you must also prove that you have stable and regular resources and health insurance.
View EU requirements →Frequently asked questions about permanent and long-term residence
Are permanent residence and long-term residence the same thing?
How many years do I need to qualify for long-term residence?
Can I have left Spain during those five years?
Can I work with long-term residence?
Does EU long-term residence automatically allow me to work throughout Europe?
Does long-term residence expire every five years?
How often must I renew my long-term residence TIE?
Which form should I use?
Official sources
National or EU: check the specific requirements now
If you are approaching five years of legal residence, check which of the two authorizations best suits your circumstances, absences and future plans before applying.