Temporary residence in Spain
There is no single “residence permit.” The right residence authorization depends on whether you want to live in Spain without working, work as an employee or self-employed person, join your family, or regularize your status under an exceptional provision.
The classification changed with the new Immigration Regulations. Do not automatically rely on older guides that still refer to “arraigo laboral” or combine authorizations that have been replaced with the current categories.
What do you want to do in Spain?
The reason for your stay is the easiest way to identify which residence authorization to look into first.
Non-lucrative residence
To live in Spain with sufficient financial resources and without carrying out work or professional activities.
View the updated guide → I have a job offerEmployment
To work for an employer in Spain under an initial residence and work authorization.
View the updated guide → I want to be self-employedSelf-employment
For living in Spain and carrying out a professional or business activity on a self-employed basis.
View the updated guide → I already live in SpainI want to apply for family reunification
For a foreign resident who wants to apply for residence for certain family members.
See the family reunification guide → My family member is SpanishResidence for family members of Spanish citizens
A specific immigration regime for certain foreign family members of people with Spanish citizenship.
See the guide for family members → Exceptional circumstancesArraigo or other exceptional circumstances
For certain arraigo (residence routes based on ties to Spain), humanitarian grounds, collaboration, protection and other specific cases.
See exceptional circumstances →The six general types of temporary residence
Title IV of the Regulations sets out these six main authorizations. Each has different requirements and procedures.
Non-lucrative residence
Allows you to live in Spain without engaging in employment or professional activity. The initial authorization is valid for one year.
See the updated guide →Family reunification
Allows certain foreign residents to apply for residence for eligible family members.
See the updated guide →Employment
Authorization to live in Spain and work for an employer.
See the updated guide →Self-employment
Authorizes you to live in Spain and carry out a profit-making activity on a self-employed basis.
See the updated guide →Exemption from the work authorization requirement
For certain professionals or activities that are legally exempt from obtaining work authorization.
Official information sheet 16 ↗Family members of Spanish citizens
A new specific regime for certain foreign family members of Spanish citizens.
See the updated guide →Which family residence route applies?
The nationality and status of the person on whom the family member’s right is based are essential for choosing the procedure.
The sponsor is a foreign national residing in Spain
A person who is already legally resident in Spain applies for residence permits for certain family members.
View family reunification →The relationship is with a Spanish citizen
There is a specific authorization with its own scope of eligible family members and procedure.
View family members of Spanish citizens →Specific exceptional circumstances
The current arraigo familiar is no longer the former general route for parents of Spanish children.
View arraigo familiar →Exceptional circumstances
Exceptional circumstances should not be confused with the six general categories under Title IV. They are governed by their own rules and cover very different procedures.
Explore exceptional circumstancesStay, temporary residence and long-term residence
An ordinary stay is not the same as temporary residence.
This is the scope of this guide.
It is a separate status with its own requirements.
Studies: the current regulations cover many authorizations for study and training under the category of long-term stay , so they should not simply be presented as another ordinary type of temporary residence.
Some situations have specific rules
Did you return to your country voluntarily?
The regulations establish a specific regime for certain people who previously resided in Spain, returned voluntarily and later wish to obtain a new authorization.
Always check the specific authorization
This page provides an overview of the main routes. Requirements, forms, fees, deadlines and submission procedures depend on the authorization in question.
Questions about temporary residence in Spain
What is considered temporary residence in Spain?
It is a status that authorizes a foreign national to stay in Spain for more than ninety calendar days and less than five years.
How many types of temporary residence are there?
Article 60 of the Regulations lists six types under Title IV: non-lucrative residence, family reunification, employed work, self-employment, exemption from a work authorization, and residence for family members of Spanish nationals. There are also temporary residence authorizations based on exceptional circumstances.
Which residence authorization do I need if I do not want to work?
Non-lucrative temporary residence is the general route for people who intend to live in Spain without engaging in work or professional activities and who have the required financial means and meet the other applicable requirements.
Which residence authorization do I need if I have a job offer?
You would normally need to consider the initial temporary residence and employment authorization, without prejudice to the availability of other specific work-related regimes.
What if I want to start a business or work as a self-employed person?
There is an initial temporary residence and self-employment authorization, with specific requirements for the proposed activity.
Are family reunification and residence for a family member of a Spanish national the same thing?
No. Ordinary family reunification is based on a foreign national who is resident in Spain. Family members of Spanish nationals currently have a separate, specific regime.
Is arraigo a form of temporary residence?
Yes, but it is regulated under the exceptional circumstances regime and should not be confused with the six general types under Title IV.
Is a study permit a form of temporary residence?
They should not automatically be considered equivalent. Under the current Regulations, various study and training authorizations are regulated as long-term stays, under their own regime.
First identify which residence authorization applies to your case
Each authorization has its own requirements, documents and procedure.