Arraigo familiar: who can apply and how long it takes

• Current arraigo familiar is limited to specific cases involving EU minors or EU family members with disabilities.
• It does not require a minimum previous stay in Spain.
• Family members of Spanish nationals generally use a different specific authorization.
• The applicable form is EX-10 and the fee is paid using Modelo 790, código 052.
• The maximum resolution period is 3 months and the initial authorization lasts 5 years.

What arraigo familiar is

Arraigo familiar is a temporary residence authorization for exceptional circumstances. In 2026, its scope is more limited than it was under the previous rules.

The main change is that relatives of Spanish nationals no longer use arraigo familiar as the general route. Those cases generally fall under the temporary residence authorization for family members of Spanish nationals.

Who can apply

Current arraigo familiar is intended for foreign nationals in Spain who fall within one of these situations:

• Parent, guardian or equivalent figure of a minor who is a national of another EU, EEA or Swiss state and resident in Spain, when the applicant has the child in their care, lives with the child or is up to date with parental obligations.
• Person supporting a family member with a disability who is a national of another EU, EEA or Swiss state, where there is a family link, cohabitation, dependency and support for the exercise of legal capacity.

This route does not require a minimum previous stay in Spain.

Cases that no longer generally use arraigo familiar

If the qualifying family member is Spanish, the ordinary route is not arraigo familiar. Cases involving a Spanish spouse, registered partner, long-term partner, child, parent or other dependent relative should be assessed under the specific authorization for family members of Spanish nationals.

If the reference family member is an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, the usual route is the residence card for family members of an EU citizen. If the reference person is a foreign resident in Spain, the usual route is family reunification.

Requirements and documents

General requirements include being in Spain, not being an applicant for international protection, having no relevant criminal record, not being subject to an entry ban, and not holding or applying for another residence authorization.

Documents generally include a complete copy of the passport, evidence that the applicant qualifies for arraigo familiar, a criminal-record certificate where required, documents proving the family relationship, cohabitation, dependency or parental responsibilities, and any necessary legalized or apostilled foreign documents and sworn translations.

Filing, fee and timeline

The official form is EX-10. The fee is paid using Modelo 790, código 052, section 2.3.1; the amount consulted was EUR 38.28.

The statutory decision period is three months. If no express decision is issued, negative administrative silence (silencio administrativo negativo) applies.

The initial authorization lasts 5 years and allows employed and self-employed work in any occupation, sector and territory. After approval, if the authorization is longer than six months, the TIE must be requested personally within 1 month.

• Submitting the file without enough proof of cohabitation, dependency or parental obligations.