Important Updates
Important Updates
August 14, 2025 | United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates: Dubai Introduces ‘One Free Zone Passport’ Across Free Zones
August 18, 2025 | AustraliaAustralia: Updates to National Innovation Visa Programs in New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria
August 18, 2025 | United StatesPittsburgh Business Times: Viewpoint: Immigration Compliance: A Strategic Imperative for Today’s Employers
August 18, 2025 | United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates: New Advertiser Permit Required for Some Social Media Promotional Content
August 14, 2025 | AustraliaAustralia: English Language Test Requirement Updated
August 14, 2025 | United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates: Dubai Introduces ‘One Free Zone Passport’ Across Free Zones
August 18, 2025 | AustraliaAustralia: Updates to National Innovation Visa Programs in New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria
August 18, 2025 | United StatesPittsburgh Business Times: Viewpoint: Immigration Compliance: A Strategic Imperative for Today’s Employers
August 18, 2025 | United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates: New Advertiser Permit Required for Some Social Media Promotional Content
August 14, 2025 | AustraliaAustralia: English Language Test Requirement Updated
August 14, 2025 | United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates: Dubai Introduces ‘One Free Zone Passport’ Across Free Zones
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationTravel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapHumanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)Vietnamese ImmigrationAustralian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Travel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Humanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • Australian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
  • Insights

Spain: Upcoming Regulations Will Relax Family and Residency Pathways

December 6, 2024

insight-news-default

Country / Territory

  • SpainSpain

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

At a Glance

  • Reforms to Spain’s immigration regulations will include the following changes:
    • Liberalizing family-related immigration pathways, including creating a new permit, and expanding eligibility for an existing reunification permit;
    • Increasing the residency period of one of the country’s two job seeker permit pathways; and
    • Liberalizing pathways to regularize the residency status of undocumented foreign nationals.
  • These reforms seek to expand the country’s labor market in response to persistent labor shortages in many sectors.
  • Although these reforms have already been legislatively approved, they will only come into effect on May 20, 2025, with transitional measures to apply to existing residence permits and pending residence applications. 

The situation

Reforms to Spain’s immigration regulations will go into effect May 20, 2025, including liberalizing reforms to family-related immigration pathways, job seeker permit pathways, and the regularization of undocumented foreign nationals, among other changes.  

A closer look

CHANGE IMPACT

Liberalization of family-related immigration pathways. Two changes to family-related immigration pathways will be as follows:

    • New permit. A new five-year temporary residence permit for certain non-EU family members of Spanish nationals will be introduced. Eligible family members will include spouses, children up to the age of 26, and parents. Such permit holders will be able to work automatically.
    • Expanded permit. The family reunion permit – which is open to the immediate family members of eligible non-EU foreign national residents in Spain – will be expanded to include de facto relationships, provided that the couple have either a) lived together for at least 12 months or b) have children (in which case there is no minimum cohabitation period). As is the case currently, permit holders will be automatically granted work rights. This permit is valid for the same length as the principal residence permit holder. 

These reforms will increase the number of individuals who are eligible to work, helping employers find suitable talent. 

Additionally, the reforms may also increase talent attraction and retention in Spain – with the employability of family members often being a critical economic consideration when making a mobility decision. 

Longer validity for jobseeker visa. The validity period for one of Spain’s two jobseeker visas will be increased to one year, up from the current three months. This visa, however, will remain limited to a narrow group of applicants, including descendants of Spanish citizens who may have lost Spanish citizenship, or applicants in fields or sectors which are approved by government authorities on a discretionary basis. 

This visa is different from Spain’s other jobseeker permit, which applies to university graduates (and which has not been changed as part of these reforms).

Despite this visa’s limited scope, these reforms are likely to make Spain more attractive to certain foreign nationals by providing them with a longer timeframe to secure employment, reducing the pressure of finding a job quickly and ensuring applicants are better able to find a role that aligns well with their skill set. 
Easier regularization of residency status. The reforms will make it easier for undocumented foreign nationals who can show some connection to Spain (including social, family, or work, among other methods) to access legal residency status. By increasing the pool of individuals eligible for work authorization, this reform may substantially and quickly increase the pool of eligible talent available to employers, helping to ease current labor shortages. 

The regulations also make the following reforms, among others:

  • Self-employment. Employment permit holders will be able to automatically engage in self-employment, provided that such self-employment remains ancillary to their main employment role. Currently, this is possible only if the employee applies for a separate ‘self-employment’ permit. 
  • Long-term residence. The scope of long-term residence in Spain will be clarified to ensure it adheres to EU regulations on the subject, and to remove current legislative ambiguity. 
  • Van Der Elst Process. The regulations will expressly regulate for the so-called ‘Van Der Elst Process’ – a legal principle under which non-EU nationals working legally in one EU Member State can provide temporary services in another one without obtaining a separate work permit. Currently, although Spanish authorities adhere to Van Der Elst requirements, there is a lack of express regulation on the subject. 

Background

  • Addressing labor shortages. Among other goals, these reforms seek to expand the country’s labor market in response to persistent labor shortages in many sectors. 
  • Separate regularization efforts. Spanish authorities are separately proposing reforms that would regularize the immigration status of around 900,000 undocumented foreign nationals over the next three years. 

Looking ahead

  • Effective date. Although these reforms have already been legislatively approved, they will only come into effect on May 20, 2025.
  • Transitional measures. Residence permits and cards issued before May 20, 2025 will remain valid. Applications submitted prior to May 20, 2025, will continue to be processed under the current regulations after May 20, 2025, unless applicants opt for the new regulations to apply.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].

Country / Territory

  • SpainSpain

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions

Pittsburgh Business Times: Viewpoint: Immigration Compliance: A Strategic Imperative for Today’s Employers

Pittsburgh Managing Partner Alex Castrodale and Associate Adam Teets highlight the need for US employers to prepare for unannounced immigration compliance checks.

Learn more

Blog post

From Ground Staff to Game Day: UK Skilled Worker Visa Changes in 2025 and the Impact on the Hidden Workforce in Sports Sector

Associates Stephanie Fitton and Halil Kaya and Paralegal Marcus Alexander Lang-Rawlings discuss how UK changes to the Skilled Worker visa in 2025 are reshaping sports sector employment.

Learn more

Blog post

Talent & Policy: Navigating Career Beginnings and Hiring Challenges in Singapore

Assistant Business Immigration Managers Jeszel Panistante-Cabral, Elsie Lim and Nellanie Quimson explore the complexities young professionals face entering the workforce and the evolving hiring landscape in Singapore.

Learn more

Blog post

Global Mobility Support and Visa Services: Fragomen’s Outbound Solutions from Germany

Director David Iannella discusses Fragomen Germany’s approach to outbound immigration solutions and how the office supports global mobility through visa services and compliance expertise.

Learn more

Blog post

Lifting the Curtain: Saudi Arabia Demands Full Disclosure of Real Company Owners

Corporate Services Manager Asfandyar Sheikh and Assistant Corporate Services Manager Ka-Ying Leung discuss Saudi Arabia’s push for corporate transparency through new ownership disclosure rules.

Learn more

Video

Fragomen's Posted Worker Compliance Solutions

In this video, we share an overview of Fragomen's posted worker compliance solutions.

Learn more

Blog post

From Facilitation to Surveillance: How Digitalization Will Impact Your European Compliance Program

Partner Jo Antoons and Managers Sara Fekete and Andreia Florina Ghimis explore how digitalization is reshaping European compliance programs and share how organizations can prepare with Fragomen’s support.

Learn more

Media mentions

People Management: What the UK’s Industrial Strategy and Immigration Reforms Mean for Employers

Partner Rajiv Naik examines how the UK’s industrial strategy and immigration reforms will reshape talent access and create new opportunities for HR and mobility teams.

Learn more

Media mentions

NBC Bay Area: H-1B Visa Holders Will Be Required to Renew in Person Starting in September

Partner Audrea Golding discusses recent changes requiring most H-1B visa holders and certain dependents to complete in-person interviews abroad for visa renewals.

Learn more

Podcast

New Roots: Pathways to Canada - Economic Mobility in Action - Canada's EMPP Unpacked

Partner Cosmina Morariu and Business Immigration Manager Ayana Ibrahimi are joined by Lara Dyer, Chief Program Officer (Americas) at Talent Beyond Boundaries, to explore Canada’s EMPP.

Learn more

Blog post

Restored Citizenship: What Former South Africans Need to Know

Director Johannes Kgotso Tiba explains the legal process and key considerations for individuals seeking to regain South African citizenship after renunciation or loss.

Learn more

Blog post

From Advocacy to Action: Vietnam’s New Work Permit Decree Takes Shape

Partner Kenneth Lau discusses the development and implications of Vietnam's updated work permit regulations.

Learn more

Media mentions

Pittsburgh Business Times: Viewpoint: Immigration Compliance: A Strategic Imperative for Today’s Employers

Pittsburgh Managing Partner Alex Castrodale and Associate Adam Teets highlight the need for US employers to prepare for unannounced immigration compliance checks.

Learn more

Blog post

From Ground Staff to Game Day: UK Skilled Worker Visa Changes in 2025 and the Impact on the Hidden Workforce in Sports Sector

Associates Stephanie Fitton and Halil Kaya and Paralegal Marcus Alexander Lang-Rawlings discuss how UK changes to the Skilled Worker visa in 2025 are reshaping sports sector employment.

Learn more

Blog post

Talent & Policy: Navigating Career Beginnings and Hiring Challenges in Singapore

Assistant Business Immigration Managers Jeszel Panistante-Cabral, Elsie Lim and Nellanie Quimson explore the complexities young professionals face entering the workforce and the evolving hiring landscape in Singapore.

Learn more

Blog post

Global Mobility Support and Visa Services: Fragomen’s Outbound Solutions from Germany

Director David Iannella discusses Fragomen Germany’s approach to outbound immigration solutions and how the office supports global mobility through visa services and compliance expertise.

Learn more

Blog post

Lifting the Curtain: Saudi Arabia Demands Full Disclosure of Real Company Owners

Corporate Services Manager Asfandyar Sheikh and Assistant Corporate Services Manager Ka-Ying Leung discuss Saudi Arabia’s push for corporate transparency through new ownership disclosure rules.

Learn more

Video

Fragomen's Posted Worker Compliance Solutions

In this video, we share an overview of Fragomen's posted worker compliance solutions.

Learn more

Blog post

From Facilitation to Surveillance: How Digitalization Will Impact Your European Compliance Program

Partner Jo Antoons and Managers Sara Fekete and Andreia Florina Ghimis explore how digitalization is reshaping European compliance programs and share how organizations can prepare with Fragomen’s support.

Learn more

Media mentions

People Management: What the UK’s Industrial Strategy and Immigration Reforms Mean for Employers

Partner Rajiv Naik examines how the UK’s industrial strategy and immigration reforms will reshape talent access and create new opportunities for HR and mobility teams.

Learn more

Media mentions

NBC Bay Area: H-1B Visa Holders Will Be Required to Renew in Person Starting in September

Partner Audrea Golding discusses recent changes requiring most H-1B visa holders and certain dependents to complete in-person interviews abroad for visa renewals.

Learn more

Podcast

New Roots: Pathways to Canada - Economic Mobility in Action - Canada's EMPP Unpacked

Partner Cosmina Morariu and Business Immigration Manager Ayana Ibrahimi are joined by Lara Dyer, Chief Program Officer (Americas) at Talent Beyond Boundaries, to explore Canada’s EMPP.

Learn more

Blog post

Restored Citizenship: What Former South Africans Need to Know

Director Johannes Kgotso Tiba explains the legal process and key considerations for individuals seeking to regain South African citizenship after renunciation or loss.

Learn more

Blog post

From Advocacy to Action: Vietnam’s New Work Permit Decree Takes Shape

Partner Kenneth Lau discusses the development and implications of Vietnam's updated work permit regulations.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.