Extraordinary Roots (Arraigo)

This authorisation is for all foreign nationals who have remained in Spain continuously for at least five months, and who, before the 1st of January 2026, had: 

• Submitted an application for access to international protection, that is, someone who has stated their intention to apply for international protection (at the border, through public registries, etc.), or

• Registered or formalised an application for international protection in Spain, that is, someone who has obtained an appointment for the interview, has already attended the interview (and has the “white sheet”), someone whose application is in progress awaiting a decision (and has the “red card”), or someone who has lodged an appeal against an administrative decision and is awaiting the outcome. 

An application for international protection shall mean: a request for refugee status, asylum, subsidiary protection. 

⚠️ If you did not apply for international protection before 1 January 2026, but you have been in Spain since before that date, and have remained in Spain continuously for at least five months, you must apply for an authorisation on exceptional grounds due to extraordinary roots as this route will not be accepted.

This authorisation can be requested from 16 April 2026 until 30 June 2026.