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Spain's New Immigration Law 2025: what really changes?

Spain's New Immigration Law 2025: what really changes?

On November 19, 2024, Spain's New Immigration Law was pusblished and will enter into force on May 20, 2025. The purpose of this regulation is to unify criteria for certain residence permits and to include in the regulation the different instructions that have been published in recent years.
 

Nuevo Reglamento de Extranjería España 2025 - Anywr Spain

Table of contents

  1. What is the new immigration law 2025?
  2. What is the purpose of the new immigration law?
  3. When does the new immigration law enter into force?
  4. What are the main changes introduced by the new immigration law?
    • Administrative procedures
    • Employees and employers
    • Students
    • Family (dependent family)
    • "Arraigo" (Family & socioeconomic roots)

What is the New Immigration Law 2025?

The new Immigration Law (Regulation of the Organic Law 4/2000) is the regulation that develops the requirements and procedures that foreigners must comply with in order to live, work and legalize their situation in Spain.

 

What is the purpose of the New Immigration Law?

According to the competent authorities, the objective of the New Immigration Law 2025 is to “reinforce and broaden the channels of access to the regularization of migrants in Spain”, as well as to simplify procedures and provide greater legal clarity and guarantee more rights to migrants.  

 

When does the New Immigration Law enter into force?

The New Immigration Law will enter into force on May 20, 2025, with a transition period to allow administrations to adapt to the changes.

 

What are the main changes introduced by the New Immigration Law? 

Updates on Spain's New Immigration Law 2025 - Anywr Spain

Main changes introduced by the New Immigration Law can be divided into five areas:

 

Administrative procedures
  • It aims to streamline administrative processes by simplifying bureaucratic procedures.
  • It aims to reduce processing times for residence and work permits.
Employees & employers
  • The labor rights of foreign workers, particularly seasonal workers, are strengthened.
Students
  • The student permit is valid for the duration of the study program without the need to renew it.
  • It to work or self-employment without the need to apply for additional authorization in certain cases.
  • The student permit allows to work for a maximum of 30 hours per week, only for higher education students, and limited to the province and bordering provinces where the studies are presented, unless it is remote work.
  • The work authorization will be valid only for the duration of the student permit.
  • Students may also apply for family reunification.
  • Spain's new immigration law allows graduates to apply for a modification of the student permit to a work permit, which allows them to work 40 hours per week from the moment of admission.
Family (dependent family members)
  • Family members of foreign citizens: family reunification becomes easier and more flexible.
    Easier to demonstrate sufficient economic means.
  • Easier to demonstrate sufficient financial means.
  • Family members of Spanish citizens:
    • The cases and definitions of family members of Spanish citizens are expanded:  
      • Spouse: the option of unregistered domestic partner is contemplated for certain cases. 
      • Children: up to 26 years of age.
      • Descendants or dependents (e.g.: dependent in-laws).
      • Parents of Spanish children.
      • Caregive of a Spanish citizen.
    • New 5-year temporary residence permit for family members of Spanish citizens.
Arraigo (Family & Socioeconomic roots)
"Arraigo" is a legal figure by which a residence permit for exceptional circumstances can be requested.
Spain's new immigration law introduces 5 modalities of “arraigo”:

  • Social
  • Sociolaboral
  • Family
  • Socio-formative
  • Second chance

 

More questions about the New Immigration Law in Spain? Contact us for more information. We assist you with any international mobility, immigration and relocation procedure in Spain.
Arabia Sigrid Cantarero Ortega

Arabia Sigrid Cantarero Ortega