New Spanish immigration regulation 2025: all the changes (RD 1155/2024)

The new Spanish immigration regulation 2025 (Royal Decree 1155/2024) is the biggest reform of immigration law in more than a decade. It was published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) on 20 November 2024 and came into force on 20 May 2025, six months later. If you are in Spain without papers or you want to regularise your situation, these changes may directly affect which route it is best for you to apply for.

In this guide we explain, as general guidance and in plain language, what has changed, which arraigo (roots-based residence) routes now exist and how to get your bearings when choosing your path.

What is the new Spanish immigration regulation 2025 and who does it affect

RD 1155/2024 replaces the previous regulation (RD 557/2011) and develops Organic Law 4/2000 (LOEx). It reorganises residence authorisations, simplifies procedures and, above all, thoroughly reforms the arraigo figures. It affects non-EU foreign nationals who want to regularise their status, renew it or change their situation in Spain.

Important: applications submitted before 20 May 2025 are, as a general rule, resolved under the previous rules, while later applications are governed by the new text. That is why it is worth knowing which regulation your case falls under.

The key changes of the new Spanish immigration regulation 2025

1. Reduced period of stay for arraigo

One of the most significant changes is that the period of continuous stay in Spain required for most arraigo routes drops from 3 to 2 years. This speeds up access to regularisation for many people.

2. A new map of arraigo routes

The regulation reorganises the arraigo routes into five figures:

• Social arraigo (arraigo social): based on integration and, usually, a work contract or financial means. Check the requirements on the social arraigo page.
• Socio-labour arraigo (arraigo sociolaboral): replaces the former labour arraigo and is evidenced by a prior employment relationship. More detail on socio-labour arraigo.
• Family arraigo (arraigo familiar): ties with relatives in Spain, with broadened grounds.
• Socio-educational arraigo (arraigo socioformativo): aimed at those who commit to training; check the socio-educational arraigo page.
• Second-chance arraigo (arraigo de segunda oportunidad): designed for those who held a residence authorisation and lost it. See second-chance arraigo.

3. Changes to family reunification and other authorisations

The text also updates aspects of family reunification, study authorisations and employed and self-employed work, with the aim of simplifying and speeding up processing. If your case is family-based, you may find it useful to compare family reunification with other routes before deciding.

How to work out which route suits you under the new regulation

There is no single "best" route: it depends on your time in Spain, your employment situation and your family ties. To get a quick orientation based on your case, you can use our immigration route finder, which suggests the most common options for your profile and takes you to the relevant page.

Frequently asked questions about the new Spanish immigration regulation 2025

When did the new Spanish immigration regulation 2025 come into force?

RD 1155/2024 was published in the BOE on 20 November 2024 and came into force on 20 May 2025, after a six-month period.

How long do you have to be in Spain now to apply for arraigo?

Under the new regulation, the continuous stay required for most arraigo routes has been reduced from 3 to 2 years. Each figure has its own requirements, so it is worth reviewing the specific page.

Does labour arraigo disappear under the new regulation?

The former labour arraigo is reorganised within the new socio-labour arraigo. The aim is to prove a prior employment relationship within the updated framework.

Will my application submitted before May 2025 be resolved under the new rules or the old ones?

As a general rule, applications submitted before the regulation came into force are resolved under the previous rules, and later ones under the new regulation. When in doubt, check the exact date of your case file.

Notice: this guide is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration law and its interpretation may change, and each case has its own particularities. For decisions about your case file, consult a registered professional or the competent authority.