RESIDENCE AND IMMIGRATION · TRALIF
Immigration and residence procedures in Spain
Arraigo, residence permits, renewals and family applications. Find the right procedure and prepare your documents with personal guidance.
Situation review · Documents · Clear next steps
Which residence permit do you need?
It depends on nationality, time in Spain, current permit and family ties, studies or work. This catalogue covers main routes and procedures to prepare your first consultation.
TRALIF helps organise your circumstances and documents. Before starting, discuss scope, budget and steps for your case. Approval depends on the authorities and meeting requirements.
01 · REGULARISE YOUR STATUS
Arraigos in Spain
Each arraigo category has its requirements. Review time in Spain, immigration status and available evidence before choosing.
Social arraigo
Exceptional-circumstances residence assessing family ties or social integration and financial means. Check evidence and the report that may apply.
Employment arraigo
For cases with one or more employment contracts and the other requirements. Working hours, conditions and employer documents need review.
Training arraigo
Links residence to specified accepted training. Before enrolling, check course type, institution, admission and required integration documents.
Second-chance arraigo
Allows assessment of new authorisation for some former residents unable to renew. Check previous permit, dates and loss reasons.
Family arraigo (other EU citizens)
For certain ties to minors or disabled people from other EU, EEA states or Switzerland. For Spanish relatives, check their specific authorisation.
02 · LIVE WITH YOUR FAMILY
Residence based on family ties
Your relative’s nationality and residence determine the procedure. Reunification, Spanish-relative residence and EU family cards are different routes.
Residence for family members of Spanish nationals
For relatives covered by this authorisation. Check family or partnership ties, everyone’s location and documents proving relationships and conditions.
Residence card for family members of EU citizens
For relatives meeting EU-regime conditions. Check eligible relationships, proof of the EU citizen’s status and temporary or permanent card eligibility.
Family reunification
Foreign residents wishing to reunite family in Spain must check eligible relatives, their own permit, finances, housing and any visa.
Residence for minors and independent residence for family members
Check permits for foreign minors born in or outside Spain and independent residence for relatives. Birth, previous residence and family changes need specific assessment.
03 · LIVE AND WORK
Residence and work permits
A job offer, business or remote work can involve different procedures. The route also depends on whether you are in Spain or abroad.
Residence and employed work
For employment by a company. Initial applications assess contract, employer conditions and national employment rules or applicable exceptions.
Residence and self-employed work
For self-employment. Plan, investment, licences and qualifications may be required. Check business viability and the relevant procedure.
Non-lucrative residence
Residence without employment or professional activity. Check financial means, health coverage and other conditions. It is distinct from work permission.
Residence for digital nomads
International telework authorisation is for certain professionals working remotely for companies abroad. Check relationship, qualifications and Social Security obligations.
Highly qualified professionals and entrepreneurs
Specific authorisations cover qualified professionals and certain entrepreneur projects. Offer, role, qualification or project features determine requirements and processing authority.
04 · STUDY AND TAKE THE NEXT STEP
Study stay and transition to residence
Student stay has its own rules. Check accepted training, application deadlines and post-study options.
Study stay and extensions
For legally accepted studies or training. Check admission, funds, insurance and submission location. Extensions require continued studies and progress.
Change from study stay to residence and work
After training, modification may apply if conditions are met. Check studies, status and the employment contract or professional project supporting the application.
Residence for internships and job seeking
Separate authorisations may suit certain graduates. Check education level, internship agreement or contract and job-search conditions; work rights differ.
05 · MAINTAIN YOUR RESIDENCE
Renewals, changes and long-term residence
Reviewing your permit before expiry helps prepare documents and identify renewal, extension or modification.
Residence permit renewal
Documents depend on work, family, non-lucrative or other authorisation. Check dates, current status and continuing conditions. Authorisation and card renewal are different.
Change of residence authorisation
Activity, permit or personal changes may require modification. Check current authorisation, restrictions and new conditions before changing activity.
Long-term residence, EU long-term residence and recovery
Check national and EU long-term residence and possible recovery after loss. Review residence periods, absences and each category’s conditions.
06 · DOCUMENTS AND TRAVEL
NIE, TIE and other immigration procedures
NIE number, residence authorisation and TIE card have different roles. Identifying the exact procedure avoids wrong appointments and documents.
NIE assignment
NIE is a foreigner identification number. Assignment alone grants neither residence nor work. Check when to apply and proof of purpose.
TIE: fingerprints, renewal and replacement
TIE documents status. Check fingerprints, issuance, renewal or loss/damage replacement. Required personal steps are performed by the holder.
EU citizen registration certificate
For EU, EEA or Swiss citizens registering residence in Spain. Documents depend on work, studies or resources and health coverage.
Return authorisation
Before travelling while renewal or issuance is pending, check eligibility for this document, requirements, travel dates and entry through a Spanish border.
Letter of invitation
Proves private accommodation for certain visits, requested by the host from Police. It replaces neither required visa nor guarantees entry or residence.
NIE-DNI matching certificate
After Spanish nationality, it may link your old NIE to DNI. Check whether needed to update authority or organisation records.
Sworn translation and foreign documents
Some procedures require foreign certificates translated, apostilled or legalised. Check language, validity and exemptions before ordering translations or applying.
07 · AFTER SUBMISSION
Tracking, document requests and refusals
Submission is only one stage. Keep the receipt and check notifications for next steps and response deadlines.
Checking an immigration application
Check application status and message meaning. Compare tracking information with the actual decision or notification.
Corrections and document requests
For additional documents, review notice contents, deadline and channel. An organised response identifies the case and answers the request.
Immigration refusals and appeals
For an adverse decision, check reasons and notified appeal routes. Assess appeal possibilities, deadlines and professional involvement case by case.
Preparing your procedure with TRALIF
Tell us your circumstances
Tell us your procedure, whether you are in Spain and whether you have a valid permit or pending application.
We review the next step
Discuss the suitable procedure and information needed to assess documents.
Understand scope and budget
Before starting, clarify included services, possible fees and follow-up.
Prepare documents and deadlines
Organise required documents, keep receipts and check notifications during processing.
Documents to keep available
Depending on procedure: passport, prior permit or decision, residence evidence, family documents, contract, training, funds, insurance or foreign certificates. The final list is checked for your application.
Frequently asked questions about residence and immigration
How do NIE, TIE and residence permission differ?
NIE identifies you. Residence authorisation recognises status; TIE documents it in applicable cases. NIE alone does not authorise residence or work.
Can arraigo regularise my status?
It depends on category and circumstances. Review stay, status and employment, financial, training or family conditions. With international protection proceedings, assess their effects before decisions.
Does family arraigo cover every relative of Spanish nationals?
No. Spanish nationals’ relatives have a specific authorisation. Current family arraigo covers certain ties to nationals of other EU/EEA states or Switzerland. Identify the relationship and applicable regime.
How can I bring my partner, children or parents to Spain?
Distinguish reunification by foreign residents, Spanish-relative residence and EU regime. Relationships, required dependency, funds and each person’s situation determine the route.
When should I renew residence?
Check expiry and the filing window for your permit. Requirements differ. Contact us early to prepare documents and confirm renewal, extension or modification.
Can I work with student stay?
Work possibilities depend on authorisation and studies or activities. Check decision and rules before accepting employment. Stay and residence have different regimes.
How long does immigration processing take and what does it cost?
No single time or price covers all procedures. Process, documents and requests affect timing. Request a service quote and separately confirm fees and document or translation costs.
Can I travel while renewing my card?
Before leaving, check authorisation, renewal status and travel documents. Return authorisation may apply under specific conditions. Review itinerary and dates.
What if my case is pending or refused?
Check notices, filing date and any decision. Answer requests within their deadline; refusals require assessment of reasons and stated appeals. Keep all receipts.
Your next step starts with a consultation
Tell us your procedure and circumstances. We explain next steps and the scope of our help.
General information reviewed on 9 October 2026. Check requirements and procedure against legislation and criteria current when applying.
Official sources: Migration authorisations, relatives of Spanish nationals, family arraigo, UGE authorisations and National Police immigration documents.