Key takeaways2026 regularisation: Royal Decree 316/2026 took applications online from 16 April and in person from 20 April, until 30 June 2026, for people who were in Spain before 31 December 2025.

Key takeaways

• 2026 regularisation: Royal Decree 316/2026 took applications online from 16 April and in person from 20 April, until 30 June 2026, for people who were in Spain before 31 December 2025.

• Entry/Exit System: since 10 April 2026, non-EU travellers are registered biometrically at every Schengen border, passport stamps are gone and the 90-day rule is enforced digitally, while the linked ETIAS authorisation has been delayed.

• Sociolabor arraigo: in force since 20 May 2025, it cuts the time in an irregular situation from 3 to 2 years and needs employment contracts paying at least the minimum wage, but no integration report.

• Socioformative arraigo: after 2 years in an irregular situation, you can train in Spain and work up to 30 hours a week, though this route requires the social integration report.

• Student visa: higher-education students no longer renew their stay every year, language courses can be renewed for one more year only, and students can keep working while their work permit is processed.

• Relatives of Spaniards: a single 5-year card replaces family arraigo and the EU family card, covers more relatives, lets you work from the moment you apply and gives access to family reunification.