In short: arraigo sociolaboral is a residence authorisation on exceptional grounds. Requirements: 2 continuous years in Spain in an irregular situation and one or more work contracts adding up to ≥20 h/week. Pay must be at least the minimum wage (SMI) or the applicable collective agreement, in proportion to the hours (Hoja 29, inclusion.gob.es).
In person or by representative? The foreigner files personally (or their legal representative for minors/persons with disability — SEM 1/2024 on who may file): at the provincial Immigration Office or online via Mercurio.
Key requirements (Hoja 29):
- 2 years of continuous stay before applying (time spent as an asylum applicant does not count until a final decision).
- Not an international-protection applicant when filing or during processing; not an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen or family member under the EU regime.
- Contract(s): combined weekly hours ≥20 and pay ≥ SMI/collective agreement pro-rata. Several contracts are allowed: consecutive with different employers (seasonal work) or simultaneous part-time.
- The employer must be up to date with tax and Social Security and solvent enough to honour the contract.
- No criminal record in Spain or in the countries where you lived during the 5 years before entering Spain; pay the fee.
Unique advantage: once the application is admitted for processing you are provisionally allowed to reside and work as an employee while it is decided (stated in the processing-start notice). If granted, it only takes effect after Social Security registration within 1 month of notification.
Decision: within 3 months; no reply = rejected by administrative silence (see what to do after a refusal). The permit lasts 1 year; the work entitlement described in Hoja 29 is as an employee, tied to your contract (check the exact conditions in your decision). Afterwards you can switch to an initial residence-and-work permit (art. 191) or renew yearly by proving active job search and registration with the public employment service.
Steps:
- Gather proof of 2 years' stay (padrón, medical visits, documents issued by Spanish administrations) — see empadronamiento.
- Get the contract(s) (≥20 h/week combined, pay ≥ SMI/agreement) plus employer documents: NIF/company statutes and solvency proof (IRPF, VAT, corporate tax or VILE report).
- Obtain criminal-record certificates from the countries where you lived during the 5 years before entering Spain (sworn translation and apostille/legalisation where needed).
- Fill in form EX-10 and file at your provincial Immigration Office or via Mercurio.
- Pay the fee, form 790 code 052 (heading 2.3.1) within 10 working days.
- If granted: register with Social Security within 1 month and apply in person for the TIE card at the police station within 1 month (TIE documents).
Official source: Information sheet 29 — inclusion.gob.es · RD 1155/2024, arts. 124-127.
Informational only; check the official source and a professional for your specific case.
