Spain grants 4 year renewals under Real Decreto 1155/2024 residence rules

Spain replaced its long-standing immigration framework with a unified residence structure that caps initial authorizations at one year and extends subsequent renewals to four years.

One-year initial permits and four-year renewals

Spain's Real Decreto 1155/2024 took effect on May 20, 2025, repealing the previous immigration framework under RD 557/2011. The reform standardized all initial residence and work authorizations to one year, replacing the older patchwork of permit lengths.

Renewals under the system jump directly to four-year terms before qualifying for permanent residency. The government also expanded the job-search visa from three months to one year, giving graduates and foreign professionals quadrupled runway to secure qualifying employment.

Shorter arraigo paths and expanded family rights

The framework overhauled Spain's "arraigo" (exceptional circumstances) pathways by reducing the general social rooting residency threshold from three years down to two years. The system established five arraigo categories, introducing a dedicated second-chance permit for foreign nationals who previously held legal status but fell into irregular situations.

Family reunification rules broadened significantly under the decree:

• Age limits for dependent children of Spanish nationals increased from 21 to 26.

• Unregistered partners who prove a stable relationship qualify for residence status.

• In-country applications are permitted for eligible family members of Spanish citizens under the Real Decreto 316/2026 amendments.

Under the 2026 updates, applicants filing for arraigo also obtain provisional work and residence rights from the date of submission while their dossiers are processed, the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration confirmed.

Navigating the transition

Remote workers moving between permit types or settling in Spain permanently fall directly under the Extranjería rules once they transition away from the startup law's digital nomad visa. The four-year renewal cuts administrative renewals in half for expats planning long-term stays, but initial holders must still complete their first-year review on time to lock in the multi-year extension.