Practical legal guide · Spain
Residence permit in Spain for non-EU citizens: which route fits you
Citizens of countries outside the EU can stay in Spain for up to 90 days; to live there longer they need a residence authorisation. Spanish law offers several routes – work as an employee or self-employed, family reunification, family members of Spanish nationals, studies and, in exceptional circumstances, arraigo. The rules were rewritten by a new regulation in force since 20 May 2025, so a Spanish immigration lawyer checks which route fits your situation today.
Describe your caseUpdated and verified:
Short answer
- Residence and work (employee or self-employed)
- Family reunification
- Family member of a Spanish national
- Arraigo (exceptional circumstances)
To live in Spain for more than 90 days you need a residence authorisation, and which one depends on why you are coming. Below we explain the main routes, what is at stake and what a Spanish immigration lawyer checks.
Describe your caseQuick answers
- How long can a non-EU citizen stay in Spain without a residence permit?
- A stay (estancia) is limited to 90 days. To remain longer you need an extension of stay or a residence authorisation.
- Which residence routes does Spain offer?
- The main routes are residence and work as an employee or self-employed, family reunification, residence as a family member of a Spanish national, studies and, in exceptional circumstances, arraigo.
- Have the rules changed recently?
- Yes. A new regulation of the Foreigners Act, Royal Decree 1155/2024, has been in force since 20 May 2025.
When this situation arises
- You have a job offer in Spain or want to work there self-employed
- Your spouse or parent already lives legally in Spain
- You are married to or the child of a Spanish national
- You have already lived in Spain for some time without a permit
- Your residence application was refused or your permit is about to expire
What options do you have
Residence and work
As an employee (cuenta ajena) or self-employed (cuenta propia), when you will work in Spain.
Family reunification
When a family member already lives legally in Spain and can bring you.
Family member of a Spanish national
A separate route for spouses, partners and relatives of Spanish citizens.
Arraigo
Residence for exceptional circumstances for people already living in Spain – social, socio-labour, socio-training, family and second-chance arraigo.
Recommended step-by-step process
- 1.
Which route fits
The lawyer checks your purpose, nationality, family and history in Spain and which residence route fits.
- 2.
What decides the case
The lawyer explains which conditions the office will assess and where the weak points of your case are.
- 3.
Refusal or expiry
If an application was refused or a permit is ending, the lawyer checks your options and represents you before the authorities and courts.
What documents to prepare
- Passport
- Any decision or letter you have received from the Spanish immigration authorities
- Your residence card or visa, if you already have one
Common mistakes
- Relying on information that predates the regulation in force since 20 May 2025
- Choosing a route that does not match the real purpose of the stay
- Waiting until the permit has expired before acting
Risks and important deadlines
Irregular stay
Staying beyond 90 days without a residence authorisation is irregular and can affect future applications.
Rules change
Spanish immigration rules change often; a lawyer checks the current state for your case.
When it's worth contacting a lawyer
Contact a Spanish immigration lawyer before you move, when a family member wants to bring you, when your permit is about to expire or when an application has been refused. The lawyer checks which route fits you and represents you before the authorities. LawBridge is a lawyer search engine: you choose the lawyer yourself and send them a request. A lawyer's work is always paid.
Describe your caseFrequently asked questions
Does this apply to EU citizens?
No. This page is for citizens of countries outside the EU; EU citizens live in Spain under EU free-movement rules.
Verified sources
- Ley Orgánica 4/2000, de 11 de enero, sobre derechos y libertades de los extranjeros en España y su integración social, art. 30 (estancia y residencia) — Agencia Estatal Boletín Oficial del Estado (BOE)
- Real Decreto 1155/2024, Reglamento de la Ley Orgánica 4/2000 (BOE núm. 280, 20. 11. 2024; en vigor desde 20. 5. 2025) — Agencia Estatal Boletín Oficial del Estado (BOE)