Here we look at how to obtain residency in Spain through Family Arraigo in 2024.
Family Arraigo is an exceptional residence permit, and this article explains what type of residence authorization this is, the necessary requirements for processing it, together with the application and renewal procedure.
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In this post we cover the following: (click any section to see its content)
How to obtain residency in Spain through Family Arraigo in 2024:
- WHAT TYPE OF AUTHORIZATION IS FAMILY ARRAIGO? »
- REQUIREMENTS FOR FAMILY ARRAIGO »
- FAMILY ARRAIGO FOR HAVING A MINOR CHILD OF SPANISH OR EU NATIONALITY? »
- FAMILY ARRAIGO FOR RELATIVES OF SPANIARDS »
- FAMILY ARRAIGO FOR CHILDREN OF SPANISH ORIGIN »
- WHERE TO SUBMIT THE FAMILY ARRAIGO APPLICATION? »
- RENEWAL OF THE FAMILY ARRAIGO »
- FAQ ABOUT FAMILY ARRAIGO? »
- OTHER TYPES OF RESIDENCY AVAILABLE IN SPAIN »
- SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A SOLICITOR »
WHAT TYPE OF RESIDENCY AUTHORIZATION IS FAMILY ARRAIGO:
Family Arraigo is a temporary residence authorization for exceptional circumstances that can be granted to foreign citizens in Spain who are either parents of a minor of Spanish or EU nationality, or children of parents who were originally Spanish.
Residency through Family Arraigo is designed to offer temporary residence permits for exceptional circumstances for children of parents who were originally Spanish.
This type of residence permit is characterized by a duration of one year, during which you can reside and work in Spain, either self-employed or as an employee.
Like any other residence and work permit, it should be renwed at the date of expiration to stay in Spain completely legally.
REQUIREMENTS FOR FAMILY ARRAIGO IN SPAIN:
The following requirements should be met to be to obtain this residence permit:
- Not being a citizen of a European Union, European Economic Area, or Swiss state, or a family member of citizens of these countries subject to the Union’s regime.
- No criminal record in Spain and in the countries of previous residence for crimes existing in Spanish law.
- Not being prohibited from entering Spain and not being listed as rejectable in the territorial space of countries with which Spain has signed an agreement to that effect.
- Not being, if applicable, within the commitment period not to return to Spain that the foreigner has assumed when voluntarily returning to their country of origin.
Falling into one of these cases:
- When it comes to a parent or guardian of a minor of Spanish nationality, provided that the applying parent or guardian has the minor in their care and lives with them or is aware of parental obligations towards them. Likewise, when it comes to a person providing support to a person with a disability of Spanish nationality for the exercise of their legal capacity, provided that the supporting applicant has the person with a disability in their care and lives with them. In this case, a five-year authorization allowing work both as an employee and self-employed will be granted.
- When it comes to the spouse or proven common-law partner of a Spanish citizen. Also, when it comes to ascendants over 65 years old or under that age who are dependent, descendants under 21 years old or over that age who are dependent, of a Spanish citizen, or their spouse or common-law partner. A five-year authorization allowing work both as an employee and self-employed will be granted.
- Children of parents who were originally Spanish.
At this point, let’s explain the two scenarios, indicated below as 1. or 2., through which you can obtain this type of Family Arraigo permit in Spain.
1. FAMILY ARRAIGO FOR HAVING A MINOR CHILD OF SPANISH OR EU NATIONALITY:
The first scenario to obtain this permit in Spain is to have a Spanish or EU minor child.
- Having a minor child of Spanish nationality:
In this case, Family Arraigo is designed for parents who have minor children who are Spanish citizens. After the immigration regulation reform, it can be processed whether you live with the minor or not. If there is no cohabitation with your Spanish child, you must prove that you are aware of your parental obligations, meaning that you pay child support or fulfill agreed-upon visitations.
Once this is obtained, a residence and work authorization with a duration of 5 years is granted. - Having a minor child of EU nationality (e.g., French, German, Italian, etc.):
If you have a minor child of EU nationality, you can process this family Arraigo if you do not live with the child or if you live with the child but do not have the economic means to process your EU family residence.
Important Note:
With the latest immigration regulation reform, a new scenario has been added to this Family Arraigo.
Individuals who provide support to a person with a disability of Spanish nationality for the exercise of their legal capacity can apply for this residency, provided that the supporting applicant can demonstrate that the person with a disability in their care and lives with them.
2. FAMILY ARRAIGO FOR RELATIVES OF SPANIARDS:
The second scenario through which you can apply for Family Rooting is if you are:
- The spouse or proven common-law partner of a Spanish citizen.
- Ascendants over 65 years old or under that age who live dependent on a Spanish citizen or their spouse or common-law partner.
- Descendants under 21 years old or over that age who live dependent on a Spanish citizen or their spouse or common-law partner.
This type of residence permit offers residence and work authorization for a duration of 5 years.
FAMILY ARRAIGO FOR CHILDREN OF SPANISH ORIGIN:
The last scenario through which you can apply for Family Arraigo is being a child of a parent who was originally Spanish.
WHERE TO SUBMIT THE FAMILY ARRAIGO APPLICATION:
The Application for Residence for Exceptional Circumstances should be sbmitted to the forgien office.
Your application can be made by using our legal services, click-here » to start your application today.
RENEWAL OF THE RESIDENCE PERMIT FOR FAMILY ARRAIGO:
Like any other permit in Spain, when your card is close to expiration, you must renew it to continue staying in the country legaly.
At this point, it’s important to note that the Family Ties permit currently has two durations, either one year or five years. Let us explain:
- You will have a 5-year residence card if you are a father or mother, guardian of a minor of Spanish nationality, or someone who provides support to a Spanish person with a disability. It also applies to the accredited spouse or domestic partner of a Spanish citizen, an ascendant older than 65 years, or a dependent descendant younger than 65 years or older than 21 years. This includes the descendant of a Spanish citizen or their spouse or domestic partner.
- You will have a 1-year card if you are the child of a father or mother who was originally Spanish.
Our legal services provide assistance to make residency renewals and any type of legal procedures in Spain, to contact click-here »
FAQ ABOUT FAMILY ARRAIGO RESIDENCY IN SPAIN:
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What is Family Arraigo Residency?
Family Arraigo Residency is a Residence Authorization for Exceptional Circumstances granted to:
a) Children of a father or mother who were originally Spanish.
b) Father or mother of a minor Spanish child with whom they do not live.
c) Father or mother of a minor European child when they do not live together, or if they live with their minor child but do not have the financial means to obtain d) Residence Card for a Family Member of a European Union Citizen. -
What documents do I need for Family Ties Residency?
a) Completed and signed official application form duplicated by the applicant
b) Official documentation which demonstrates the applicants identity with a validity of at least four months
c) Certificate of criminal record issued by the authorities of the country or countries where the applicant has resided during the five years prior to entering Spain
d) Supporting documentation of family ties and nationality, which may include
*In the case of being a parent of a minor of Spanish or European nationality:
a) Birth certificate of the Spanish minor showing family ties and Spanish nationality.
b) Birth certificate of the minor European child.
c) Documentation of compliance with parental obligations*In the case of being the child of a parent originally Spanish:
a) Birth certificate of the applicant.
b) Birth certificate of the parent originally Spanish or a certificate from the Civil Registry proving this condition.
c) Living with the minor or compliance with parental obligations. -
How long doe it take for the application to be processed?
The resolution time for the application is 3 months from the day following the date it was submitted to the registry of the competent authority for processing, in this case, the Immigration Office.
If this period elapses without the administration providing notification, it may be understood that the application has been denied by administrative silence.
For more information on this matter, feel free to contact us » We specialize in Immigration Law.
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How do I apply for Family Ties Residency?
The application should be submited at the Residence Authorization for Exceptional Circumstances for Family Ties application to the Immigration Office. You can process this permit yourself or through a lawyer, administrative manager, or social graduate.
ALL TYPES OF RESIDENCY AVAILABLE IN SPAIN:
- Golden-Visa Spain (Spain citizenship by investment)
- Non-Lucrative visa Spain (Spain visa non lucrative)
- Self-Employed visa Spain (self employed expats in Spain)
- Digital-Nomad visa Spain (remote worker in Spain)
Please see-here our video-blog with options and legal-advice to obtain residency in Spain.
Remember that immigration procedures and immigration regulations change regularly, so it’s crucial to stay updated with the latest information from reliable sources. If you have specific questions or concerns about your situation, it’s advisable to consult with immigration authorities or legal professionals specializing in immigration matters, to do this, please click-here »
DO YOU REQUIRE ASSISTANCE TO APPLY FOR FAMILY ARRAIGO IN SPAIN?
We are a Spanish Solicitor and assist our clients with all types Spanish legal processes.
Permanent residency is obtained after 5 years of Spanish Residency through Self-Employed Residency, Digital-Nomad, Non-Lucrative Residency or Golden-Visa. This followed by 5 years as a permanent resident in Spain and means you can then obtain Spanish Citizenship with a Spanish Passport.
