Guide: Registering as a Jobseeker and the DARDE
A key process and document for the extension of certain types of immigration authorisations. We explain what it is, how to obtain it, and how to use it to extend an roots (arraigo) authorisation.
4 mins
🔎 What Is the DARDE?
The DARDE refers to the Documento de Alta y Renovación de la Demanda de Empleo (Document of Registration and Renewal of the Job Application). Popularly, it is also known as the “tarjeta del paro” (unemployment card). It is the reliable proof that you are registered as a jobseeker with the autonomous public employment service.
Physically or in electronic format, it is a very simple official receipt. It contains your personal details, your current status (registered as a jobseeker) and the most critical piece of information of all: the exact date of your next renewal (and even the time slot in which you must do it).
The DARDE is not the same as the contributory unemployment benefit, popularly known as the "paro". The main difference is very simple: the DARDE is the document that proves you are looking for work, whilst the paro is the money you receive while you look for it. You can have the DARDE without receiving unemployment benefits, but you can never receive unemployment benefits without having the DARDE. You are only entitled to unemployment benefits if you have paid social security contributions as a worker in Spain.
🎯 What Is the Purpose of Applying for It?
This document has several essential functions:
It proves that you are actively seeking employment.
It allows access to unemployment benefits or allowances (the "paro").
It maintains your profile on the lists to receive job offers.
It allows access to training courses for employment integration, guidance and placement.
It serves as accreditation to apply for municipal subsidies, youth employment schemes or professional certificates.
In immigration procedures, obtaining the DARDE document is basic and essential to request the extension of some residence authorisations/permits. Likewise, attending courses linked to the DARDE can be key to obtaining a favourable integration effort report.
(If you have questions on how to obtain the integration effort report, consult our blog post called “Guide and Trick: Integration Effort Report”).
🛂 In Which Immigration Procedures Is the DARDE Requested?
As a general rule, and unless an impediment to carry out a work or professional activity can be proven (such as, for example, due to illness, disability or having reached retirement age), obtaining the DARDE will be necessary to request extensions for the following types of roots authorisation "arraigo":
Whether you hold a temporary authorisation under any of the traditional types of roots (arraigo) authorisations, or the new extraordinary roots (arraigo) (which emerged in the second quarter of 2026 with the reform of the Immigration Regulations RD 316/2026), the time will come when you must modify your permit to a residence and work authorisation as an employee or self-employed person, or extend your current authorisation.
This is where this document comes into play: if at the time your TIE expires you do not have a job and need to request an extension, the law makes it compulsory to prove that you are registered as a jobseeker. Without your DARDE in hand, you will not be able to extend your authorisation.
🤝 Do you need help with your immigration procedures?
At Traam we manage both the initial applications and the extensions for the second opportunity roots, labour roots, social roots and formative roots (arraigos). We also manage initial applications for family roots (arraigo) (this arraigo does not allow extensions as it is granted for a period of 5 years, and its natural course subsequently would be to apply for Spanish nationality or a long-term residency authorisation) and the extension of the extraordinary arraigo (the initial application for which was scheduled for the period from 1 April 2026 to 30 June 2026).
🏢 How Do You Register?
The first time you register in the system, the procedure must be done in person at the employment office corresponding to your postcode. To ensure that registration is successful the first time, the process consists of four key steps:
Request an appointment: This is a compulsory requirement in practically all offices. You must request it through the website or the official telephone number of the employment service of your Autonomous Community.
Prepare the compulsory documentation: As a guideline, you must present the following original documents on the day of your appointment. (Note: As employment management is a power delegated to the autonomous communities, we recommend calling your regional employment service beforehand to confirm exactly which papers are required at your local office):
Valid identity document (DNI, NIE, TIE or passport).
Note for immigration procedures: it is vital to bring your physical residence permit if you already have it, and if it has expired you must prove with documents that its renewal process is already under way.Social Security Affiliation Number (NUSS), if you have worked in Spain before.
Municipal registration certificate (empadronamiento) (highly recommended, as your office is assigned according to your current address).
Academic qualifications (if you are a foreigner, preferably officially approved/homologated) and professional certificates.
Conduct the occupational interview: A job counsellor will assist you individually to register you and create your professional profile in their database. You will be asked about your previous experience (bring your updated printed CV or your work history report), the languages you speak, your availability and the exact sectors in which you are looking to work.
Obtaining the DARDE and credentials: At the end of the interview, you will be officially registered. The counsellor will hand you your first printed DARDE and will provide you with the access credentials (username and password) so that, in the future, you can log into your region's virtual office and perform your renewals 100% online.
🗺️ Where Should You Go to Request the DARDE?
Powers are delegated, so you must access the website of the regional service of your place of residence:
Andalusia: SAE (Servicio Andaluz de Empleo)
Asturias: SEPEPA / Trabajastur (Servicio Público de Empleo del Principado de Asturias)
Balearic Islands: SOIB (Servei d'Ocupació de les Illes Balears)
Canary Islands: SCE (Servicio Canario de Empleo)
Cantabria: EMCAN (Servicio Cántabro de Empleo)
Castilla-La Mancha: EmpleaCLM (Servicio Público de Empleo de Castilla-La Mancha)
Castilla y León: ECYL (Servicio Público de Empleo de Castilla y León)
Catalonia: SOC (Servei d'Ocupació de Catalunya)
Community of Madrid: Empleo Madrid (Servicio Público de Empleo de la Comunidad de Madrid)
Valencian Community: LABORA (Servei Valencià d'Ocupació i Formació)
Extremadura: SEXPE (Servicio Extremeño Público de Empleo)
Galicia: Emprego Galicia (Servizo Público de Emprego de Galicia)
Navarre: SNE-NL / Nafar Lansare (Servicio Navarro de Empleo)
Basque Country: Lanbide (Servicio Vasco de Empleo)
Ceuta and Melilla: Being autonomous cities without delegated powers, they must contact the SEPE (Servicio Público de Empleo Estatal)
💻 What Happens If I Lose the DARDE?
If you are already registered and you lose the paper, you do not have to go back to the office. You can log into the virtual office of your autonomous community and download a duplicate in PDF. This digital file has exactly the same legal validity as the printed one.
🔄 How and Why Must the DARDE Be Renewed?
Renewing the DARDE within the deadline is compulsory to be recorded as actively seeking employment, to ensure your uninterrupted access to job offers adapted to your profile, to maintain your right to receive financial benefits and to participate in training programmes.
Nowadays, it is renewed online through the virtual office of your community. To do this, you must have a secure identification system: digital certificate, electronic DNI or Cl@ve system. (If you have questions about how to obtain the secure identification system, consult our blog post called “Quick Guide to Electronic Identification Systems in Spain: Electronic Certificate and Cl@ve”).
After carrying out the procedure, the system provides immediate confirmation and allows you to download your updated DARDE with the next date.
⚠️ What Happens If I Do Not Renew the DARDE?
It is vital to respect the date. If you forget to renew it, you automatically lose rights such as access to unemployment benefits or subsidised courses, and you are removed from the lists for job selection processes.
💼 Do You Have to Deregister When Finding a Job?
As a general rule, when you sign a contract and are registered with the Social Security, systems cross-reference data and your job application is automatically suspended. However, it is advisable to enter your virtual office a few days later to check that the status has updated correctly. If you are hired part-time and want to look for full-time employment, you must communicate this to change your status to "job seeker looking for improvement" and not lose out on future offers.