In Spain, there is an extraordinary possibility for people staying in Spain to get a residence permit for one year. This possibility is limited to a few weeks (from April 20, 2026 to June 30, 2026). If you are in an irregular situation or didn’t get an answer to your asylum procedure yet, this can be a very good opportunity!
Attention: Only people that have arrived to Spain before 1rst January 2026 can apply for this type of regularization.
Who can apply for this regularization?
A person that can prove that they have been living at least five months in Spain, who has a clear criminal record and can prove one of the following:
- be in a vulnerable situation (living in an undocumented situation already qualifies as vulnerable)
or - having applied for asylum before 1rst January 2026
or - have worked in Spain before or have a job offer
or - have a family member that depends on you (children or parents)
Remember: You can also apply if you were already given a deportation order.
Who cannot apply?
Anyone who is already trying to regularize using the arraigo (see arraigo) and anyone who has a valid residence permit or visa.
What do I need?
- ID document: passport (an invalid one can also be recognised) or another travel document that is recognised in Spain
- Proof of 5 months stay in Spain: any document that proves your presence in Spain such as the civil registry (see empadronamiento), but also any receipts of purchases, train tickets, documents from hospitals, money transfers, etc. Only documents that state your name, last name and a date can serve as proof.
- Clear criminal record: you need an official paper that proves you did not commit any criminal offence in the last 5 years.
- documents that prove you fulfil one of the options listed above (vulnerability, asylum application, work, family ties).
- you have to pay the fee for the procedure which is 38,28€.
Remember: The social organizations that help with the application (see below) can issue a vulnerability certificate for you.
Attention: Start now to collect your documents, as the process of getting these documents can take some time (especially the criminal record).
Where and how can I apply?
There is a list of social organizations in the whole country who can help you with the application free of charge (see the updated list of organizations here: https://www.inclusion.gob.es/en/regularizacion/colaboradores).
You can also apply directly via the social services (list of offices of the social services: https://www.seg-social.es/wps/portal/wss/internet/OficinaSeguridadSocial) or at the foreigners offices (Spanish: “Extranjería”; see list of foreign offices: https://www.interior.gob.es/opencms/es/servicios-al-ciudadano/tramites-y-gestiones/extranjeria/oficinas-para-tramites-de-extranjeria/). For this you need a prior appointment.
You can also apply online. But you can only do that if you have a digital ID (https://www.inclusion.gob.es/formulario-consultas-regularizacion-extraordinaria-2026).
Remember: After one year you will have to renew the residence permit. For more information on residence permits in Spain, see (link: https://w2eu.info/en/countries/spain/regularization text: here)