Changes in Spain’s Immigration Regulations in 2025

On November 20, 2024, the text of legislative amendments to the Regulation on the Rights of Foreigners in Spain was published. According to the document, it will come into force six months after its publication. Therefore, as of May 20, 2025, Spain’s immigration legislation will undergo significant changes. Some of these changes will simplify life for foreigners in Spain, while others require special attention.

It is clear that Spanish lawmakers have paid particular attention to the Arraigo program, which allows foreigners to legalize their stay in Spain after residing in the country for a certain period.

Perhaps the most notable change is the reduction in the required period of residence in Spain to apply for so-called residency by settlement (residencia por arraigo). As of May 20, 2025, this period will be reduced from the current three years to two years.

The Arraigo program and its residency types have also undergone changes: some categories have been eliminated, while others have been introduced in their place. For instance, Arraigo Familiar in its current form will be abolished. Instead, under the same name, a new category of residency will be introduced for guardians of Spanish citizens or citizens of European Union member states.

Additionally, Arraigo Familiar will be renamed Arraigo Social, maintaining its essence as a residency for relatives of Spanish citizens. However, an additional requirement will be introduced: applicants must now prove they have sufficient financial resources.

Similarly, Arraigo Social will be renamed Arraigo Sociolaboral, but its essence will remain unchanged.

A new category of residency, Arraigo de Segunda Oportunidad, will be introduced. This will be designed for individuals who previously held a residence permit but lost it.

Attention has also been given to the status of individuals in Spain awaiting the outcome of their international protection (protección internacional) application. The new law explicitly prohibits asylum seekers with a “tarjeta roja” (red card)—indicating their application is under review—from applying for residency by settlement.

However, the law includes a transitional provision allowing asylum seekers to apply for arraigo within 12 months of the law’s entry into force (i.e., between May 20, 2025, and May 20, 2026), but only if two conditions are met:

• The applicant has received a denial of their international protection request.
• The applicant has resided in Spain for at least six months at that time.

The family reunification process has also been revised. One of the most notable changes is the increase in the maximum age of a child who can be “attached” to the main applicant’s residency. The age limit has been raised from 21 to 26 years.

However, this only applies to children who are financially dependent on the main applicant. For example, if a child is 22 years old, unemployed, living with their parents, and studying, they are considered financially dependent and may be included in the parent’s residence application until the age of 26. The new rules also simplify procedures for unregistered partners and other close relatives, including parents.

Changes have also been made to residency permits linked to employment. Under the new rules, initial work permits will now be granted for one year, and upon renewal, they will be extended for four years (instead of the previous two-year extensions).

Additionally, the long-term residency (Larga Duración) rules have been modified. Applicants over 30 years old will now receive a residency card valid for 10 years (instead of the previous 5 years). It is important to clarify that this does not affect the residency status itself, as long-term residency in Spain is permanent—only the renewal period for the physical residence card is changing. For applicants under 30, the rules remain unchanged, and the long-term residency card will continue to be issued for five years.

The biggest drawbacks of the new regulations affect foreign students residing in Spain with a student residence permit. Currently, there are no minimum age restrictions for language studies, and applications can be submitted from within Spain. Moreover, students have been able to extend their permits for up to three years without taking a language proficiency exam in some regions. After three years, many were able to modify their student permit into a work residence permit. However, starting from May 20, 2025, these rules will change.

Minimum age requirement: To obtain a student permit for language courses, the applicant must be at least 18 years old.

Application process change: Student residence applications must now be submitted through a Spanish Consulate abroad.

Limited extensions: A student permit for language courses can only be extended once, meaning the maximum period for studying languages in Spain will be two years.

Mandatory language exam: To extend a student permit, applicants must pass a Spanish language proficiency test (DELE or SIELE), regardless of the region where they apply.

No conversion to a work permit: After completing their studies, language students will no longer be able to modify their permit into a work residency permit.

To clarify, these new restrictions only apply to non-higher education students.

For students enrolled in higher education programs, some positive changes have been introduced. University students will now be allowed to work up to 30 hours per week while studying. The student residence permit will be valid for the entire duration of the academic program, eliminating the need for annual renewals.

For personalized legal guidance on how these new rules may affect your situation, book a free consultation with our specialists today!