Residence through training (arraigo socioformativo)

Key rules

• Time in Spain: You need 2 years of continuous stay in Spain before you apply.
• Course type: The course must be regulated and lead to an official qualification or a certificate of professional competence, not a short leisure course.
• Work: You can work up to 30 hours a week while you study.
• Permit length: The first permit lasts 12 months and can be renewed while your training continues.

Who this route is for

Arraigo socioformativo is for people who have lived in Spain without legal residence for 2 years without a break and who commit to regulated training. It was created by the 2025 reform and replaces the earlier arraigo para la formación. These rules have applied since 20 May 2025.

You must also have no criminal record, and you must show that you are enrolled or admitted in a course.

What counts as training

The course must be regulated and lead to an official qualification or a certificate of professional competence. Vocational training and training for employment recognised by the education or labour authorities can qualify. Short leisure courses do not count, because the training has to help you find work.

The Oficina de Extranjería decides whether a course qualifies and whether your proof of enrolment is enough. Before you pay for a course, ask the school whether it leads to an official qualification. Then ask the Oficina de Extranjería if you are unsure.

What the permit gives you

You get an initial residence permit for 12 months. While you study, you can work up to 30 hours a week. The permit can be renewed for as long as your training continues.

After the course

When the course ends, you can apply to change the permit to a work-and-residence permit, if you have a job available. Start looking for work before the course finishes. Check the current work-hour limit and the change procedure with the Oficina de Extranjería before you apply.

The timeline, documents, checklist and questions below take you through the steps.

Timeline and deadlines

• Receive the initial residence permit, which lets you work up to 30 hours a week while studying: for the first 12 months

• Renew the permit while your training continues: when the 12 months end, as long as you are still studying

• Apply to change to a work-and-residence permit if a job is available: after the course ends

Documents you need

• Proof of enrolment or admission in a regulated course leading to an official qualification or a certificate of professional competence, issued by the training centre.

Checklist

• Get proof that you are enrolled or admitted in the course.

• Renew the permit before it ends while your training continues.

• Look for a job as the course nears its end, so you can apply for a work-and-residence permit.

Frequently asked questions

Can I work while I study with arraigo socioformativo?

Yes, you can work up to 30 hours a week while you study on this permit. This lets you earn money during the course without leaving the training route.