Gerard B.·May 7, 2025·10 min read

Spain Immigration Law Changes 2025 Explained – Work Visas, Residency, Arraigo & Entry Rules (Royal Decree 1155/2024)

Spain Immigration Law Changes 2025 Explained – Work Visas, Residency, Arraigo & Entry Rules (Royal Decree 1155/2024)

Spain has introduced landmark changes to its immigration system and new rules for residency via Royal Decree 1155/2024, published in the Boletín Oficial del Estado on February 5, 2024. These reforms modernize the Reglamento de Extranjería and reflect the country’s commitment to improving integration, responding to labor shortages, and simplifying immigration procedures.

Key Takeaways

  • Work permits now allow renewals up to 4 years and include both freelance and salaried work.
  • Long-term resident cards now renew every 10 years for residents aged 30 and older.
  • Family reunification eligibility extended to children up to age 26, unregistered partners, and parents.
  • Student visas allow 30-hour workweeks; language course visas limited to 2 years with stricter rules.
  • New Arraigo categories: Formativo (vocational students) and Reincorporación (returning residents).
  • Travelers to Spain must prove €118/day or €1,065+ for longer stays, with accommodation and return travel.
  • Collective hiring processes are now possible and registry for valid academic institutions created.

Ready to Start Your Journey to Spain?

Get your personalized relocation checklist, step-by-step guidance, and access to our complete immigration app.

🔒 7-day free trial, no credit card required
Get Started
Full Control Over Your Relocation

Background and Purpose of the Immigration Law Changes

Spain's previous immigration framework had not been comprehensively updated since 2011. Long processing delays, narrow eligibility for permits, and rigid rules made legal immigration burdensome. The updated regulation seeks to:

  • Match migration flows with real labor market demand
  • Improve legal certainty for migrants
  • Facilitate integration and social cohesion
  • Respond to demographic trends and an aging population

New Rules For Work Visa and Residency Permit in Spain

Spain has simplified and expanded access to work permits by extending renewal periods and allowing more flexibility in employment type.

AspectBeforeAfter (2025)
Permit duration1-year initial + 2-year renewals1-year initial + renewals up to 4 years
FreelancingRequired separate permitAllowed under same permit as salaried work

Why it matters: This promotes job stability and accommodates modern employment trends, such as gig work and side income.

New Rules For Long-Term Residency Card Validity in Spain: 10-Year Option Introduced

The new law introduces longer renewal intervals for long-term residents over 30 years old, reducing bureaucracy for stable residents.

Resident AgeRenewal Period (Before)Renewal Period (Now)
All agesEvery 5 yearsEvery 5 years until age 30
30 and olderEvery 5 yearsEvery 10 years (Art. 178)

Why it matters: Reduces administrative burden and helps residents settle more securely.

New Rules For Family Reunification Visa in Spain

Family reunification rules have been significantly expanded to include more dependent and unregistered relatives.

CriteriaBeforeAfter (2025)
Children age limitUnder 21Up to 26 if dependent
Partner statusOnly registered spousesIncludes unregistered partners
Parents (ascendants)Not allowedAllowed under new flexibility
Non-EU family of Spanish citizensNo dedicated permit5-year residence and work permit introduced

Why it matters: Aligns with modern family structures and supports integration of transnational families.

New rules for Student Visa in Spain 2025

Changes to student visas enhance academic and work opportunities for higher education students, while tightening rules for short-term language students.

CategoryBeforeAfter (2025)
Work hours for students20 hours/week30 hours/week
Permit durationAnnual renewalCovers full academic program
Language course applicationsFrom SpainMust be applied from abroad
Renewal for language studentsMore flexibleOnly 1 renewal allowed, max 2 years
Conversion to work permitPossibleNot possible from language course status
Language requirementNoneMust show DELE or SIELE exam registration/completion

Why it matters: These changes aim to prioritize long-term academic and professional integration while discouraging misuse of short-term study permits.

New Arraigo Pathways Introduced in 2025

Arraigo now includes additional legal paths for undocumented migrants based on labor, education, or prior residence history.

What is Arraigo? "Arraigo" means "rooting", a legal pathway for undocumented migrants to obtain residency based on ties to Spain (social, family, or employment).

TypeBeforeAfter (2025)
Arraigo Laboral3 years of residence2 years residence + 6 months work
Arraigo FormativoNot availableFor migrants enrolled in vocational training
Arraigo por ReincorporaciónNot availableFor former legal residents returning to Spain

Why it matters: Makes regularization more accessible and supports migrants' professional development.

Entry Requirements for Travelers to Spain in 2025

Spain clarified entry requirements for tourists and short-term visitors, including updated financial minimums and required documents.

RequirementBefore2025 Standard
Minimum daily fundsSimilar but less defined€118/day per person
Minimum total (9+ days)Less consistently applied€1,065
Supporting documentsBasicPassport, visa, accommodation, return ticket or invitation letter

Protections for Vulnerable Groups under Spain’s 2025 Immigration Reform

Spain has expanded the scope of exceptional residence authorizations for people facing social or humanitarian risks. These reforms aim to offer legal pathways and protection for individuals in vulnerable situations.

CategoryEligible Cases
Gender-based violenceVictims of domestic or gender-based abuse
Labor exploitationWorkers subject to exploitative or unsafe working conditions
Hate crimesVictims of racial, religious, or gender-related attacks
Cooperation with authoritiesIndividuals who support law enforcement investigations
Humanitarian/health riskPeople with severe medical needs or risk if returned to home country

This update improves access to legal status and social protections for at-risk individuals.

Collective Hiring and the New Registry of Educational Institutions

Spain introduced two important systemic tools to modernize the labor and education-based migration frameworks.

1. Collective Hiring at Origin

  • Employers can now process job offers for multiple non-resident workers abroad in one application.
  • This benefits sectors with seasonal labor demand or talent shortages.

2. Registry of Higher Education Institutions

  • Student visas will only be granted for programs in certified academic institutions.
  • This ensures compliance with quality standards and EU Directive 2016/801.

Implementation Timeline

These reforms became effective 20 days after publication: February 25, 2024. Immigration offices, consulates, and employment authorities are currently operating under the new framework.

At a Glance: Key Immigration Changes in Royal Decree 1155/2024

The following table summarizes the most important updates introduced by the reform:

AreaChange Summary
Work PermitsRenewals up to 4 years; freelancing allowed under same permit
Long-Term ResidencyTIE renews every 10 years after age 30
Family ReunificationIncludes unregistered partners, parents, and dependent children up to age 26
Student Visas30-hour workweek; longer permits; restrictions on language programs
Language Student RulesMax 2 years; DELE/SIELE proof; no conversion to work permits
ArraigoLaboral reduced to 2 years; new Formativo and Reincorporación pathways
Entry Requirements€118/day; return ticket, accommodation proof, or invitation required
Vulnerable Groups ProtectionExpanded access for victims and humanitarian cases
Collective Hiring & RegistryEmployers can hire multiple foreign workers; visas tied to registered schools
Overview of the 2025 new rules for residency and immigration in Spain
Overview of the 2025 new rules for residency and immigration in Spain

Ready to Start Your Journey to Spain?

Get your personalized relocation checklist, step-by-step guidance, and access to our complete immigration app.

🔒 7-day free trial, no credit card required
Get Started
Full Control Over Your Relocation

Frequently Asked Questions

Gerard B.

Gerard B.

An expat who's done it, so you don't have to!

After spending years in Spain and thousands of euros on lawyers, tax advisors, and residency applications, only to realize that doing it yourself is often easier, cheaper, and just as effective. Gerard is an expat on a mission to help others avoid the same costly mistakes. By creating LiveLoveSpain, Gerard aims to share first-hand experiences, practical tips, and plenty of "Why didn't anyone tell me this?!" moments. Whether it's filing taxes, understanding visas, or just mastering the art of the sobremesa, he's here to help fellow expats integrate seamlessly without breaking the bank.