Residence through a job offer (arraigo sociolaboral)

Key rules

• Presence: You need 2 years of continuous stay in Spain before you file.
• Hours: The job must be at least 20 hours a week at no less than the minimum wage, pro rata.
• Employer: Your employer must be registered and up to date with Social Security and tax, and must not have been sanctioned for employing irregular workers.
• Permit: The permit lasts 3 years and is not tied to the employer who made the offer.

What this route is

Arraigo sociolaboral combines two things: time already spent in Spain and a qualifying job offer. You need both. If you have the presence but no employer, this route is not open to you yet.

Your presence in Spain

You need 2 years of continuous stay in Spain, counted back from the day you file. You must also have no criminal record. The rules in this form apply to people in Spain without legal status, for applications since 20 May 2025.

The contract

The offer or contract must be for at least 20 hours a week at no less than the minimum wage, pro rata. The pay can also follow the applicable collective agreement if that is higher.

If one job does not reach the hours, you can combine several contracts, including with different employers, as long as together they reach the minimum.

The contract is signed by the employer. It only starts working once your permit is granted, so you do not begin work before that.

What your employer must meet

Your employer carries a large part of this application. They must:

• be registered with Social Security;
• be up to date with tax and Social Security payments;
• show they can pay the salary offered;
• not have been sanctioned for employing irregular workers.

A private individual employer shows enough income or means. A company shows real business activity and the ability to meet the contract. If your employer is unsure whether they pass the money test, ask the Oficina de Extranjería before you file.

What you get

The permit is a residence and work permit of 3 years. It lets you work as an employee in any sector and any region, not only for the employer who made the offer. The permit takes effect once you are registered with Social Security, so ask your employer to register you as soon as it is granted.

Next steps

Use the documents list and the checklist below to prepare your file. The FAQ covers changing employers and combining part-time jobs.

Documents you need

• Job offer or employment contract signed by the employer, for at least 20 hours a week at no less than the minimum wage or the collective agreement rate, pro rata. It can be one contract or several that together reach the hours.

• Proof that the employer is registered with Social Security, issued by the Social Security office.

• Proof that the employer is up to date with tax and Social Security payments, issued by the tax agency and Social Security.

• Proof that the employer can pay the salary offered: income or means for an individual employer, or evidence of real activity for a company.

• Certificate of good conduct showing no criminal record in Spain or in any country where you lived in the past five years.

Checklist

• Confirm you have 2 years of continuous stay in Spain before you file.

• Get a job offer or contract for at least 20 hours a week, paid at least the minimum wage or the collective agreement rate, pro rata to the hours.

• Add a second contract, even with another employer, if one job alone does not reach the minimum hours.

• Ask your employer to confirm that the company is registered with Social Security and up to date with tax and Social Security payments.

• Ask your employer to show enough income or means to pay the salary offered, or real business activity if it is a company.

• Ask your employer to confirm they have not been sanctioned for employing irregular workers.

• Request your certificate of good conduct from Spain and from every country where you lived in the past five years.

• Ask your employer to register you with Social Security as soon as the permit is granted, because the contract and the permit only take effect then.

Frequently asked questions

Can I work for a different employer after I get the permit?

Yes, the permit lets you work as an employee in any sector and any region of Spain, not only for the employer who made the offer. The first-year permit is a general residence and work permit, so you are not tied to that company.

Can I combine several part-time jobs to reach the minimum hours?

Yes, you can use one or several contracts, including with different employers, as long as together they reach the 20 hours a week minimum. The pay must still be at least the minimum wage or the collective agreement rate, pro rata to the hours.

When does my job contract start working?

The contract takes effect when the permit is granted, not when you sign it. The permit itself takes effect once you are registered with Social Security, so ask your employer to register you straight away.

What stops an employer from making me a valid offer?

An employer who has been sanctioned for employing irregular workers cannot sign the contract for this route.