In short: SEM Instructions 2/2026 (State Secretariat for Migration) set out, for the first time in a uniform way, how a Ukraine temporary-protection holder can move to an ordinary residence authorisation without waiting for temporary protection to end. They rely on Royal Decree 316/2026 (14 April), which added the 19th Additional Provision to the Immigration Regulation. It is not automatic: you must apply for the specific authorisation and meet its requirements.
In person or by representative? Mixed: most of these authorisations are applied for online or via a gestor; some steps (fingerprints / TIE) are in person by prior appointment.
Which authorisations you can move to (the 7 instructions):
- Residence and work (modification, art. 191) — if you meet its requirements. Its paragraph-7 limitation does not apply. Guide: modification with EX-26.
- Arraigo (art. 125) — you can request it even while holding temporary protection (art. 126.h does not apply). Time under temporary protection counts toward the 2-year residence requirement (art. 126.b). Guide: arraigo with temporary protection: EX-10.
- Minors (arts. 159 and 160). Art. 159 (children born in Spain) can be applied for at any time: the 6-month window to apply only starts counting once a parent obtains an authorisation other than temporary protection. Art. 160 (children not born in Spain or under guardianship) is exempt from the 2-year prior-residence requirement and from the economic-means and housing requirements. In both cases they can apply even if no parent has changed authorisation yet. Guide: residence of a minor child: EX-25.
- Students — can modify to residence and work (art. 191) or, failing that, request socio-educational arraigo (art. 125.1.d). Guides: modification with EX-26 and arraigo with temporary protection.
- Other authorisations under the Regulation and Law 14/2013 (entrepreneurs), including residence as a family member of a Spaniard (chapter VII). Guide: family member of a Spaniard on temporary protection: EX-24.
- Long-term residence — time under temporary protection counts fully toward the 5-year continuous legal residence; the periods accumulate. Guide: long-term residence from temporary protection: EX-11.
- Transition procedure — once you obtain the new authorisation, you must expressly renounce temporary protection (art. 24.1.d of RD 1325/2003). The renunciation is evidenced when applying for the TIE. Guide: renouncing temporary protection: when and how.
Context: Ukraine temporary protection remains valid until 4 March 2027 under Order INT/96/2026; at EU level Decision (EU) 2026/1912 already extends it until 4 March 2028 (the equivalent Spanish order for physical TIE cards has not been published yet). At the end of March 2026 there were 262,830 people residing in Spain under temporary protection.
Related: if the procedure you choose asks for the Ukrainian criminal record certificate, see how to get it from Spain.
Official source: SEM Instructions 2/2026 (PDF) · list: Instrucciones — Migraciones.
Informational only; each authorisation has its own requirements. Check the official source and a professional for your case.
