Arraigo Familiar
Arraigo Familiar
Arraigo Familiar is the most accessible arraigo pathway because it does not require any minimum period of residence in Spain. It is available to non-EU parents or legal guardians of Spanish or EU citizen minor children, as well as carers of disabled EU citizens who depend on them. This pathway recognizes the fundamental right to family unity. The permit grants 5 years of residence â the longest of all arraigo types â and includes full work authorization. The 2025 reform maintained and clarified this category, confirming its application to parents of both Spanish and EU national children.
This guide is based on official Spanish government requirements and the May 2025 immigration reform. This is informational content, not legal advice.
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Required Docs
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Steps
Up to 3 months from submission
Processing
Application fee (Modelo 790 code 052): ~âŦ16
Main Fee
Eligibility Requirements
- Be the parent or legal guardian of a minor child who is a Spanish or EU citizen
- OR be the primary carer of a disabled EU citizen who depends on you
- Not be a citizen of an EU/EEA/Swiss country
- Have no criminal record in Spain or in countries of residence in the past 5 years
- Not have an active entry ban or be flagged in the Schengen Information System
- The minor child must be registered as a resident in Spain
- No minimum period of residence in Spain is required
- Not be currently an asylum seeker with a pending application
Document Checklist
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Step-by-Step Application Process
Gather proof of family relationship
Obtain the child's birth certificate showing you as a parent. If born abroad, have it apostilled and translated by a sworn translator. Obtain the child's Spanish DNI or EU citizenship document.
Confirm the child's registration in Spain
Ensure the child is registered (empadronado) in a Spanish municipality. Obtain a current empadronamiento certificate for the child.
Obtain criminal record certificates
Request criminal record certificates from your country of origin and any country of residence (6+ months) in the last 5 years. Have them apostilled and translated.
Complete the application form and pay the fee
Fill out the EX-10 form. Pay the modelo 790 code 052 fee at any bank (~âŦ16.08).
Submit the application at the Oficina de Extranjeria
Book a cita previa at your provincial Oficina de Extranjeria. Submit all documents. This arraigo does not require empadronamiento proof for yourself or a social integration report.
Wait for resolution
The administration has 3 months to resolve. Given the strong legal basis (right to family life), approval rates for this arraigo type are generally high.
Processing Time
Up to 3 months from submission. This is typically one of the faster arraigo applications to process given the clear legal basis and simpler documentation requirements.
Costs
- Application fee (Modelo 790 code 052): ~âŦ16.08
- TIE card fee: ~âŦ16-âŦ21 (Tasa 790 modelo 012)
- Criminal record apostille: varies by country (âŦ5-âŦ50)
- Sworn translations: âŦ30-âŦ80 per document
- Birth certificate apostille (if born abroad): varies (âŦ5-âŦ50)
- Legal assistance (optional): âŦ400-âŦ1,200
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Child not registered as a resident in Spain
The minor child must be empadronado in Spain at the time of application. If the child has a Spanish passport but is not registered in Spain, you cannot apply for arraigo familiar.
Not proving the parent-child relationship clearly
The birth certificate must clearly show the applicant as a parent. If names differ between documents (transliterations, format differences), bring additional supporting documentation.
Assuming the child's age doesn't matter
The child must be a minor (under 18) at the time of application. If the child turns 18 before the application is processed, the case may be affected. Apply as early as possible.
Tips & Advice
- âThis is the strongest arraigo category legally â it is grounded in the constitutional right to family life and the best interest of the child. Denial rates are the lowest of all arraigos.
- âThe 5-year permit is a major advantage. Other arraigos grant only 1-year permits. This gives you stability and a direct path to long-term residence.
- âNo social integration report, no minimum residence, and no job contract required. This is the simplest arraigo to apply for if you meet the family criteria.
- âIf your child was born in Spain to foreign parents, they are not automatically Spanish. However, after 1 year of residence, a child born in Spain can acquire Spanish nationality, which then qualifies you for this arraigo.
- âBoth parents can apply for arraigo familiar independently â it is not limited to one parent. Both parents of a Spanish/EU minor child can receive permits.
Official Sources
- Ministry of Inclusion â Arraigo
- Sede Electronica â Immigration Procedures
- Portal de Inmigracion
- Civil Registry (Registro Civil)
Information verified against official sources. Always confirm current requirements directly.
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