If you arrived in Spain before January 1, 2026, or applied for International Protection before that date, you could access a residence and work authorization with an initial validity of one year.
On this page we explain who can apply for it, what requirements you must meet, what documentation you need and how to submit your application.
The Royal Decree was published in the BOE on April 15, 2026.
The process has been open since April 16 and applications may be submitted until June 30, 2026.
The application can be made through two channels:
You can access this process if you are in one of these situations:
You applied for International Protection in Spain before January 1, 2026.
Or, you are in an irregular administrative situation and were in Spain before January 1, 2026.
In both cases, you must be in Spain at the time of submitting the application and be of legal age.
To obtain the authorization, the person must meet at least one of the following requirements:
a) Have worked or intend to work in Spain.
This may be as an employee, by submitting a job offer, or as a self-employed person, by submitting a responsible declaration using the corresponding official form.
b) Live in Spain with their family.
The family unit must include minor children, adult children with a disability who need support, people who cannot meet their own needs due to health reasons, or first-degree ascendants who live with the applicant.
c) Be in a situation of vulnerability.
This situation must be proven using the corresponding form by the competent social assistance authorities.
Be in Spain before January 1, 2026.
Prove an uninterrupted stay of at least five months in Spain at the time of submitting the application.
Not hold a stay or residence authorization.
Not have another procedure in progress for the granting, extension, renewal or modification of a stay or residence authorization.
Not have held a residence authorization for temporary protection derived from the situation in Ukraine.
Have no criminal record in Spain, in your country of origin, or in the countries where you have resided during the last five years before entering Spain.
Not pose a threat to public order, public security or public health.
Not be listed as inadmissible in countries with which Spain has an agreement in this regard.
Not be, where applicable, within the period of a commitment not to return to Spain.
Complete copy of the passport, registration certificate or travel document recognized as valid in Spain, valid or expired.
Documentation proving your presence in Spain before January 1, 2026.
Proof of continued stay in Spain during the five months prior to the application.
Criminal record certificates from the country of origin and from the countries where you have resided during the last five years before your entry into Spain.
Order placement: Order and pay for our service, send us the necessary documents and relax.
Documents: We accompany you at every stage — from collecting the documents to preparing the complete application package.
Submission of the application: After all documents have been prepared, we submit the application electronically.
Waiting for the decision: The processing time is up to 1 month, although it may vary depending on the province.
Includes the review and submission of the case by an immigration lawyer, with basic support. Includes responses to official requests from the immigration authorities.
€300
The service includes the review and submission of the case by a lawyer specializing in immigration law. Basic support throughout the procedure is also provided, as well as preparation of responses to possible official requests, booking an appointment for fingerprinting and preparation of the necessary documents.
€500
The authorization granted will have an initial validity of one year.
Exceptionally, if it is not possible to request an ordinary modification, the authorization may be extended if active job search and registration with the public employment service are proven, or if a favorable report on integration effort is provided.
Extension cases are also foreseen when there are justified circumstances that prevent access to employment, such as serious illness, disability or having reached the legal retirement age.
No. The authorization allows residence and work only in Spain.
It does not authorize settling or working in other European Union countries.
If the applicant is affected by a return or expulsion procedure for certain violations of the Immigration Law, the granting of the authorization will entail the closure of the procedure and, where applicable, the revocation of the order.
You can submit the application on your own, but you can also receive support from specialized professionals.
Lawyers, social graduates, administrative managers or social entities and trade unions registered in the Registry of Immigration Collaborators can help you.
These entities may offer free advice and act as representatives during the process.
If you receive a favorable resolution, you must apply for the Foreigner Identity Card, TIE, within one month from the granting of the authorization.
The TIE will be issued for the validity period of the authorization. However, the authorization produces full rights from its granting.
In the case of International Protection applicants, after the favorable resolution it will be necessary to withdraw the international protection application or the pending appeal, if any.
The BOE provides an exceptional route for those who have requested the criminal record certificate from their country of origin or from other countries where they have resided and have not received it after one month.
In that case, it will be necessary to provide:
Proof of having requested the certificate.
Responsible declaration stating that no response has been received within one month.
Authorization for the Spanish authorities to obtain those records through diplomatic channels.
This situation may suspend the procedure for up to a maximum of three months. If after that period the certificate has not been received, the applicant may be required to provide it within a period of fifteen days.
