Arraigo socioformativo: study in Spain to obtain residence

Training-based settlement (arraigo socioformativo) grants one year of residence to people who have spent two years in Spain and enrol in recognised training. It requires no contract and no means of your own, but it does require an integration report, and it lets you work up to thirty hours a week while you study.

It is designed for people who have no job offer yet but want to train for a trade. See articles 127.d), 131 and 132 of the Immigration Regulation (Royal Decree 1155/2024).

Requirements

On top of the requirements common to all arraigos (two years of continuous stay, not being an applicant for international protection, no criminal record, no other permit or procedure pending, fee paid), there are two specific ones:

• Being enrolled in or attending one of the accepted courses, or committing to training promoted by the public employment services.
• A social integration report from your regional government or, where applicable, your town hall, on the same terms as for arraigo social.

Which courses qualify

Not every course counts. The Regulation accepts:

• Post-compulsory secondary education at an authorised centre: bachillerato and intermediate vocational training cycles (grado medio), among others.
• Professional certificates of the vocational training system (grade C), as a complete course — not modular or partial — at levels 1, 2 and 3.
• In-person compulsory education for adults.
• Training promoted by the public employment services and aimed at occupations on the shortage list.

Private courses without official recognition, language schools and online-only training do not fit. Before paying tuition, check that the centre is authorised and the qualification is one of the above.

The calendar: where most applications fail

Arraigo socioformativo has its own deadlines:

1. If the course has an official enrolment period, the arraigo application must be filed in the two months before that period opens.
2. Once the permit is granted, you have three months from notification to prove enrolment to the Immigration Office (Oficina de Extranjería).
3. If you do not, the permit lapses.

In justified cases you may submit enrolment in a different course from the one planned, provided it is an accepted one. If your route is public employment service training, what you must prove is that you completed it.

Working with arraigo socioformativo

The permit allows employed work of up to thirty hours a week, paid at least the minimum wage or the collective agreement rate in proportion to hours. Unlike the other arraigos, it does not generally allow self-employment or full-time work.

Documents

• Full, valid passport.
• Historical padrón certificate and proof of the two years.
• Criminal record from your home country or previous country of residence, legalised or apostilled and translated.
• Enrolment, admission or training commitment, with a certificate from the centre.
• Social integration report.
• Form EX-10 and fee receipt.

This arraigo is filed in person, by appointment, at the Immigration Office of your province. The arraigo socioformativo page has the up-to-date list.

How to extend it

The permit lasts one year. To extend it:

• For basic or intermediate vocational cycles, you need a report from the centre certifying that you move up to the second year.
• If you finished the training before the year ended, you need the qualification or certificate and proof that you are seeking work and registered with the public employment service.

Apply in the two months before expiry. Once you finish training and have a job offer, the normal step is a residence and work permit.

Common mistakes

• Enrolling in a course that is not on the list.
• Letting the three months pass without taking the enrolment to the office.
• Working more than thirty hours or as self-employed.
• Forgetting the integration report: it is compulsory here, even if you have resident relatives.
• Dropping out: without progression or a qualification there is no extension.

Frequently asked questions

Does a Spanish language course qualify?

Not on its own. Language teaching is not among the training article 127.d) accepts for this arraigo. In-person adult education and professional certificates do qualify.

Can I apply if I have not enrolled yet?

Yes, if the enrolment period has not opened: you file in the two preceding months and prove enrolment later, within three months of the grant.

How many hours can I work?

Up to thirty hours a week as an employee, adding all your jobs together.

What if I fail the year?

To extend in a basic or intermediate cycle you need the report showing progression to the second year. Without it, you should look at whether another permit fits before yours expires.

Can it be filed online?

This procedure is filed in person, by appointment, at the Immigration Office.

Your next step

Take the free test to confirm you meet the two years and see which documents are missing. If you are unsure whether your course qualifies, ask Resi with the exact name of the training.