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Immigration · Barcelona

Immigration law in Barcelona

In short

An immigration lawyer in Barcelona helps you with procedures such as temporary residence, which authorises you to stay in Spain for a period of more than 90 days and less than five years. This page is general information and is not legal advice. Each administrative situation is different, and the rules have specific requirements that are worth reviewing with someone before submitting anything.1234567891011

By Mejores Barcelona, text generated and verified automaticallyUpdated

Centres that publish immigration law in Barcelona

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Temporary residence and arraigo: what the rules require

Among the general requirements for arraigo (settlement) authorisations is having stayed in Spain continuously for at least the two years before the application; family arraigo requires no minimum stay.2 Another is having no criminal record in Spain and in the countries of residence during the last five years before entering Spain, for offences provided for in Spanish law.2

The temporary residence authorisation for exceptional circumstances, which does not require a visa, must be applied for in person by the foreign national before the competent body, with exceptions for minors and people who receive support.2 Ask the lawyer how they would assist you with the submission.

The extension of the authorisation for exceptional circumstances can be applied for during the two months before the date the authorisation expires.2 It is worth noting that date down and not waiting until the last moment.

What we do not know: this page does not cover the other requirements, the documents required or the specific cases that are accepted, because the reviewed sources we use here do not set them out. Meeting the requirements described does not guarantee that the authorisation will be granted, and nobody can promise you that outcome.

Where and how the application is submitted

The Ministry of Inclusion states that social arraigo is submitted in person at the Foreigners' Office of the province where the person has their address, or electronically.3 If you live in Barcelona, it is the one for your province.

The same ministry states that the deadline for resolving a social arraigo application is three months from its entry in the register of the competent body.3 Ask the lawyer what happens if that deadline passes without a reply, because the reviewed sources do not explain it.

This page does not give opening hours, appointments or office addresses, because we do not have them in the sources.

Legal assistance and free legal aid

Foreign nationals who are in Spain have the right to free legal aid in proceedings to which they are a party, on the same terms as Spanish citizens.1 Before paying a lawyer, ask whether your case could qualify; the reviewed sources do not detail the conditions of access.

They also have the right to legal assistance in administrative procedures that may lead to refusal of entry, return or expulsion, and in international protection procedures.1

Risks and limits: hiring a lawyer has a cost that is worth knowing in writing before signing, and free legal aid has conditions that are checked case by case. Be wary of anyone who assures you your application will be approved or asks you to pay without explaining what the service includes.

When to consult a lawyer

  1. A legal deadline is running: if your authorisation has an expiry date, the extension can only be requested in the prior period set by the rules.2 Consult soon rather than wait until the last moment.
  2. There is a risk to your safety or your family's: go to the emergency services first. Legal help comes afterwards.

Outside those cases, consulting is your choice and not an obligation.

What to bring to the first consultation

It helps to bring:

  • Your passport and any identity document or authorisation you have, with their expiry dates.
  • An orderly summary of your history in Spain: since when you have been here, where you have lived and what you have done.
  • The documents that can show that stay, such as registration on the municipal register (empadronamiento) or contracts.
  • Any letter, decision or notification you have received from the administration.

And questions worth asking before hiring:

  • Which authorisation suits your situation and which requirements you have to prove.
  • How much time is left for any date running in your case.
  • How the service is charged, what it includes and what it does not, in writing.

How to check a lawyer with the ICAB

Before hiring, check that the person is registered in the professionals search of the Il·lustre Col·legi de l'Advocacia de Barcelona (ICAB). Search for their name and verify that they appear as a practising member. This page does not certify any lawyer or recommend anyone in particular.

Immigration law by area

Immigration law by area

Immigration law by areaSchematic map with 16 areas; the full list is in the data table. Outside the map: Sant Cugat del Vallès, to the north-west; Badalona, to the north-east; Terrassa, to the north-west; Sabadell, to the north; Cornellà de Llobregat, to the south-west; L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, to the north-west.Ciutat VellaEixampleSants-MontjuïcLes CortsSarrià-Sant GervasiGràciaHorta-GuinardóNou BarrisSant AndreuSant MartíCiutat VellaEixampleSants-MontjuïcLes CortsSarrià-SantGervasiGràciaHorta-GuinardóNou BarrisSant AndreuSant MartíL'Hospitalet de LlobregatSant Cugat del VallèsTerrassaSabadellBadalonaCornellà de Llobregat

Source: Ajuntament de Barcelona, Open Data BCN (CC BY 4.0). Contornos simplificados.

View data
Map data: Immigration law by area
Area
Ciutat Vella
Eixample
Sants-Montjuïc
Les Corts
Sarrià-Sant Gervasi
Gràcia
Horta-Guinardó
Nou Barris
Sant Andreu
Sant Martí
Sant Cugat del Vallès (outside the map, to the north-west)
Badalona (outside the map, to the north-east)
Terrassa (outside the map, to the north-west)
Sabadell (outside the map, to the north)
Cornellà de Llobregat (outside the map, to the south-west)
L'Hospitalet de Llobregat (outside the map, to the north-west)

See solicitors in Barcelona

Authorship
Mejores Barcelona, text generated and verified automatically
Updated

How this content is produced and verified

Sources

  1. Ley Orgánica 4/2000 sobre derechos y libertades de los extranjeros en España y su integración social (BOE-A-2000-544)https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-2000-544Accessed: October 11, 2026
  2. Real Decreto 1155/2024, por el que se aprueba el Reglamento de la Ley Orgánica 4/2000 (BOE-A-2024-24099)https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-2024-24099Accessed: October 11, 2026
  3. Hoja 28, autorizacion de residencia temporal por circunstancias excepcionales, arraigo socialhttps://ciudadaniaexterior.inclusion.gob.es/es/web/migraciones/w/autorizacion-residencia-temporal-por-circunstancias-excepcionales.-arraigo-socialAccessed: October 11, 2026
  4. Martinez Cubells Abogados, web propiahttps://www.martinezcubellsabogado.com/divorcio-en-barcelona/Accessed: October 11, 2026
  5. Garcia & Benet Abogados, web propiahttps://garciaybenetabogados.com/Accessed: October 11, 2026
  6. Antolino Advocats, web propiahttps://www.antolinoadvocats.com/servicios/abogado-laboralista-barcelonaAccessed: October 11, 2026
  7. Rodríguez Calistro Abogados, web propiahttps://www.rodriguezcalistroabogados.com/abogado-extranjeria-barcelona/Accessed: October 11, 2026
  8. Català Reinón Abogados, web propiahttps://www.catala-reinon.es/abogados-laboralistas-barcelonaAccessed: October 11, 2026
  9. R. Sánchez Abogados, web propiahttps://rsanchezabogados.es/abogados-barcelona/extranjeria/Accessed: October 11, 2026
  10. Immigration Lawyers Spain, web propiahttps://www.immigrationspain.es/en/Accessed: October 11, 2026
  11. Gemovir Abogados de Extranjería, web propiahttps://www.gemovir.com/abogados-de-extranjeria-barcelona/Accessed: October 11, 2026

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