Renewing your residence permitArticle 7 of 8 · 4 min read
What the 2025 immigration regulation changed for renewals
Explains which immigration rules apply to your existing residence permit after the new regulation started on 20 May 2025: what stays under the old rules, what follows the new ones, and what did not change. For foreigners already living in Spain.
Key rules
- Cut-off date: 20 May 2025 is the date the new regulation started to apply.
- Earlier applications: Applications filed before that date stay under the old regulation.
- Existing permits: A permit granted under the old rules stays valid until it expires.
- Renewal window: The new regulation did not change the renewal window.
The short answer
The date you filed decides which rules apply. If you filed before 20 May 2025, your application stays under the old regulation. If you file a renewal from 20 May 2025, the new regulation generally applies. Your existing permit does not stop being valid because the rules changed.
What happened and when
The new immigration regulation was approved on 19 November 2024 and published in the official gazette on 20 November 2024. It started to apply on 20 May 2025, six months later. The timeline below shows the sequence.
If you already hold a permit
A permit granted under the old rules stays valid until its expiry date. You do not need to do anything now just because the regulation changed. The new rules matter when you come to renew.
If you filed before 20 May 2025
An application filed before that date continues under the old regulation. This includes applications still pending.
If you renew from 20 May 2025
Renewals filed from that date are generally handled under the new regulation. Expect adjusted conditions and durations. For example, a first renewal is often for 2 years.
The exact treatment depends on your type of permit and your filing date. Ask your immigration office or a lawyer to confirm how it applies to you before you file.
What did not change
The renewal window is the same as before. The rule on timing is set out in the renewal deadlines page. Most of the changes lie elsewhere, such as new arraigo routes, durations and procedures.
Switching category when you renew
Some permit holders can adapt to the new categories when they renew. Whether you can depends on your permit type.
Where to go next
The decision, checklist and FAQ below help you place your own situation.
Choosing between options
Which rules apply to your permit or renewal?
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New regulation: You file your renewal from 20 May 2025. It is generally handled under the new rules, with adjusted conditions and durations.
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Existing permit, no action yet: Your permit was granted under the old regime and has not expired.
The date you filed decides it: before 20 May 2025 means the old regulation, from 20 May 2025 means the new one. A permit already granted stays valid until it expires.
Timeline and deadlines
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New immigration regulation approved: 19 November 2024
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New regulation published in the official gazette: 20 November 2024
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New regulation starts to apply: 20 May 2025, six months after publication
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Applications filed before the start date stay under the old regulation: before 20 May 2025
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Renewals filed from the start date are generally handled under the new regulation: from 20 May 2025
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Renewal window, unchanged by the new regulation: from 60 days before expiry until 90 days after expiry
Checklist
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Check the date your current permit was granted and whether it was before 20 May 2025.
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Find out whether you already filed an application before 20 May 2025, because it stays under the old regulation.
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Plan to file your renewal within the same window as before, as the new regulation did not change it.
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Expect new renewal conditions and durations if you file from 20 May 2025, for example a first renewal of 2 years in many cases.
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Ask your immigration office or a lawyer whether you can adapt to a new category when you renew.
Frequently asked questions
Does my permit stay valid after the new regulation started?
Yes, a permit granted under the old regime stays valid until it expires. The new regulation did not cancel it.
Did the new regulation change the renewal filing window?
No, the renewal filing window stayed the same as under the old regulation: 60 days before expiry up to 90 days after expiry.
Can I switch to a new category when I renew?
Yes, some permit holders can adapt to the new categories at renewal, but this depends on your permit type. Ask your immigration office or a lawyer whether your permit qualifies before you file.
More in Renewing your residence permit
- When to file your residence renewal
- How long your permit and card last, and why the dates differ
- How to renew your residence permit in Spain
- How long a renewal takes and what happens while you wait
- What can block a renewal, from debts to records and missing proof
- Getting your new residence card (TIE) after a renewal is approved
- How renewals differ by province and how to find your office
Need certainty before you act?
For important relocation decisions, speak with a qualified human specialist.
Always verify important information with the relevant official authority or a qualified adviser before acting. This website uses large language models together with various public data sources, official government documents and other established sources. Due to the amount of data on this website, some information might be wrong. Information may also be incomplete or outdated.