Residence on exceptional grounds in Spain
There is no single exceptional authorization. The right route depends on your situation: arraigo (a Spanish residence pathway based on ties to Spain), humanitarian grounds, cooperation with the authorities, protection as a victim, or other specifically regulated circumstances.
The former classification has changed. You should no longer use “arraigo laboral” to refer to the former route based on six months of previous employment. The current regulations distinguish five standard arraigo routes, including the current arraigo sociolaboral (employment-based residence route) .
Which exceptional authorization might apply to you?
Being without regular immigration status does not, by itself, determine which authorization applies. You need to identify the specific legal circumstance that allows you to apply.
Your situation fits one of the arraigo routes
It may depend on previous residence, employment contracts, social integration, training or a specific family circumstance.
Compare arraigo routes →Humanitarian grounds apply
The regulations cover certain humanitarian circumstances, which must be evidenced in accordance with the relevant information sheet.
Check the official requirements ↗You work with the authorities or there is a public interest
Specific procedures apply in cases involving cooperation, national security, public interest or cooperation with the labour administration.
View these authorizations →You are a victim in a specially protected situation
Specific procedures apply to victims of gender-based or sexual violence, human trafficking and certain situations involving criminal networks.
View protection routes →You may fall under a special regime for 2026
Specific procedures were introduced for certain applicants for international protection and for arraigo extraordinario (extraordinary residence route based on ties to Spain).
Check the routes for 2026 →The five ordinary arraigo routes
Each route applies to a different situation. You should not choose one solely based on how long you have lived in Spain.
Arraigo de segunda oportunidad
For certain cases in which the person held a residence authorization for the period set out in the regulations but was unable to renew it.
Check the official requirementsArraigo sociolaboral
This route centres on one or more employment contracts that meet the required conditions.
View the guide to arraigo sociolaboral (employment-based residence route)Social roots residence permit
It is based on qualifying family ties and financial means, or on proof of social integration, together with the other requirements.
See the Arraigo social guideArraigo socioformativo
A route linked to certain training activities and proof of the required integration criteria.
Check the official requirementsArraigo familiar
It is currently reserved for certain specific family ties. It should not be confused with the authorization for family members of Spanish citizens.
View the guide to arraigo familiar (family-based residence route)Do not treat the “two-year” rule as a universal requirement for every arraigo route. Each route has general and specific conditions that must be checked separately.
Special routes that should not be confused with the five ordinary arraigo routes
Royal Decree 316/2026 introduced specific procedures with their own requirements. Always check the exact circumstances before using them.
Certain international protection applicants
A specific residence authorization is available to certain people who submitted an application for international protection in Spain before 1 January 2026 and meet the other conditions set out in the applicable provision.
Check Information Sheet 28 bisArraigo extraordinario
This is an exceptional regime introduced in 2026 for certain cases involving foreign nationals who were in Spain before 1 January 2026 and meet the remaining requirements.
Check Information Sheet 28 TerBoth have specific eligibility requirements. The date you were in Spain is only one part of the rules and does not replace a full review of the procedure.
Other residence authorizations on exceptional grounds
Arraigo is only one part of the system. Other procedures apply where there are humanitarian grounds, cooperation with the authorities or specially protected circumstances.
Humanitarian grounds
Residence authorization for the humanitarian circumstances expressly provided for by the regulations.
Check the requirements ↗Cooperation with the authorities or national security
For certain cases involving cooperation with the police, prosecution or judicial authorities, or grounds of national security.
Check the requirements ↗Public interest or labour administration
Procedure for certain cases involving the public interest or cooperation with administrative authorities.
Check the requirements ↗Authorizations for specially protected circumstances
Some procedures have their own rules, a specific process and a regime different from ordinary arraigo.
Gender-based violence
Temporary residence and work authorization for foreign women who are victims of gender-based violence.
Sexual violence
There is a specific procedure for foreign victims of sexual violence.
Cooperation against organised networks
The regulations establish different procedures depending on the authority with which the cooperation takes place.
Victims of human trafficking
A specific residence and work procedure for foreign nationals who are victims of human trafficking.
Not all authorizations are applied for in the same way
The form, documentation, competent authority, standing to apply, fee, deadline and effects of the decision may vary depending on the procedure.
Do not prepare an arraigo application if the actual grounds for your case relate to another exceptional circumstance.
Check the requirements, documents, application form and who is entitled to apply under that procedure.
In addition to the general documents, each route requires you to provide specific evidence of the circumstances on which it is based.
How you submit your application may vary depending on the procedure and who is entitled to initiate it.
Once authorization has been granted, you may have obligations relating to registration with the Spanish Social Security system, obtaining a TIE or completing other procedures.
Do not automatically assume that the deadlines, fees or effects of administrative silence are the same for different authorizations. Always consult the official information sheet for the specific procedure.
Continue based on your situation
Official sources used
Exceptional circumstances cover a wide range of procedures. Consult the official information sheet for your authorization before submitting documents.
Questions about exceptional circumstances
What is residence authorization on exceptional grounds?
It is a temporary authorization that may be granted when one of the exceptional grounds provided for by the regulations applies, such as arraigo (a residence route based on ties to Spain), humanitarian reasons, cooperation with the authorities or other expressly regulated cases.
How many types of arraigo are there currently?
The Regulations distinguish five standard categories: second-chance, employment-based, social-integration, training-based and family-based arraigo.
Does the former arraigo laboral still exist?
The former route, based on proving previous employment relationships lasting six months, should no longer be used. Arraigo sociolaboral (employment-based residence route) is now available, with its own requirements and based on one or more valid employment contracts.
Do all arraigo routes require two years in Spain?
No. Each category has specific requirements, and arraigo familiar (family-based residence route), for example, is governed by a different regime. The same time period should not be applied to every category.
Are humanitarian grounds and arraigo the same thing?
No. They are different grounds within the system of residence authorizations for exceptional circumstances and have their own requirements.
Is extraordinary arraigo 2026 another standard arraigo category?
No. It is a specific exceptional route introduced in 2026 and regulated separately. Its specific requirements should be checked.
Do all exceptional circumstances use the same form?
You should not assume so. The form, documentation, eligible applicant and procedure depend on the specific authorization.
Where can I check the official requirements?
The Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration publishes information sheets for each procedure. This page links to the relevant official sources.
Identifying the right route helps you avoid preparing the wrong application
Once you have identified the route that may apply to you, check the requirements and documentation for that specific authorization.