On May 20, 2025, Spain rolled out a new Immigration Regulation under Royal Decree 1155/2024. The reform streamlines immigration procedures, strengthens migrant rights, and brings Spanish law in line with international standards. Here’s a breakdown of what’s new and how it could affect individuals and businesses.

Key changes include:

New visa categories

More visa options are now available — including short- and long-term stays, transit visas, and a specific job-seeker visa for skilled professionals (in tech, healthcare, or education). This also applies to descendants of Spanish nationals.

Family reunification and residence

Rules are more flexible for proving financial dependency for family reunification. For parents and grandparents, proof of dependency is enough from age 80. For children, the age limit is now 26. Other criteria have been clarified too, such as a minimum age of 18 for reuniting with a spouse and housing requirements.

Updated residence permits based on personal ties (“arraigo”)

  • Social ties: minimum stay requirement reduced to 2 years.
  • Training-based ties: replace the former education pathway and allows up to 30 hours of work per week.
  • Employment ties: valid with a 20-hour work contract.
  • Second-chance permit: for individuals who lost their legal residency in the last two years.

Protection for vulnerable individuals

Victims of gender-based violence, human trafficking, or sexual violence — and their children and parents — are now eligible for residence and work permits.

Digitalization and streamlined processes

Applications can now be submitted online, documentation requirements have been standardized, and coordination between immigration offices is being improved.

Benefits for employers and workers

There’s more flexibility for temporary work permits, better alignment with EU labor rules, and stronger protections for cross-border and seasonal workers.

Faster, simpler processes

Less red tape, shorter processing times for permits, and clearer guidance on switching between permit types.

Key dates:

  • The regulation took effect on May 20, 2025.
  • Existing permits will remain valid until their stated expiration.

This reform brings Spain’s immigration policy closer to EU standards and supports legal, safe, and organized migration. It also promotes international mobility, voluntary return, and seasonal hiring based on labor market needs.

Download the full version of the 2025 Immigration Regulation (PDF).

Have questions about how this affects you? At addwill, we offer tailored legal advice to help you understand the changes and choose the right path. Contact our Labor-immigration team here.