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SabahAbogados

Social roots residence

If you live in Spain without papers and have built your life here, social arraigo may be your route. We study your case and support you throughout the process.

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What it involves

Social arraigo (arraigo social) is a residence permit for foreign nationals who live in Spain without legal status and have built ties here, with their family or their community. It is one of the most common routes to getting your papers.

Is this your case?

  • You have been living in Spain for some time without a residence permit and want to regularise your situation.
  • You have family in Spain or you have integrated into your neighbourhood, your studies or your community.
  • You don't know whether you meet the requirements, or you have been told different things.
  • You have already applied and been refused, or you have been asked for more documents.

How we help

First we study your case to find out whether social arraigo is the best route or whether another one suits you better. Then we prepare the documents with you, submit the application and follow the file through to the decision. If you are refused, we look at an appeal with you. We can help you in Spanish, Arabic, Tamazight, French and English, at our offices in Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Málaga and Barcelona or online, wherever you are in Spain.

If social arraigo does not fit your case, you may be interested in socio-labour roots residence or family roots residence.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between social arraigo and socio-labour arraigo?
Both are for regularising the situation of people who already live in Spain. Social arraigo is based mainly on your family ties or your integration, and socio-labour arraigo on having an employment contract. We look at which one suits you best.
Do I need a lawyer to apply for social arraigo?
It is not compulsory, but an incomplete or poorly prepared file can end in a refusal. We review your case before submitting anything to avoid that.
Can you help me if I don't live near your offices?
Yes. We have offices in Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Málaga and Barcelona, but we handle cases all over Spain and can help you online and in your language.

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Let's talk

Tell us about your case.

A first conversation — confidential and without obligation — to understand whether we can help, and how.

We speak Spanish, Arabic, Tamazight (Berber), French and English.