Spain Cuts Arraigo Social Waiting Time to Two Years, Easing Path for Undocumented Workers
Madrid Unveils Digital Overhaul of Spain’s Residency System to Slash Backlogs
‘Cita Previa’ Appointment Crisis Threatens Project Timelines for Foreign Talent
Latest News
Long Queues at Málaga Airport Highlight Growing Pains of EU Passport Tech
Passengers at Málaga Airport faced passport-control waits of up to two hours on 21 November as Spain transitions to EU-mandated biometric checks. Staffing gaps and malfunctioning e-gates are causing business-travel disruptions, prompting calls for contingency planning and longer connection times.
Spain Raises Income Threshold for Parent Family-Reunification Applications
Effective 20 November 2025, Spain has increased by 25 % the income employees must show to sponsor their parents for residence, and it now demands stronger proof of financial or medical dependency. Companies must update mobility budgets and documentation immediately or risk refusals.
Arraigo Social Waiting Time Cut from Three to Two Years
From 20 November 2025, migrants need only 24 (not 36) months of prior residence to qualify for Spain’s Arraigo Social permits. The faster path to legal status lets companies retain talent sooner and may ease shortages in key sectors.
‘Cita Previa’ Appointment Crisis Delays On-Boarding of Foreign Talent
Spain’s overburdened online appointment system is delaying residence-card issuance by up to three months, creating costly project slippage and compliance risks for employers who move staff to Spain.
Palma de Mallorca Airport Switches On EU Entry/Exit Biometric System
Palma de Mallorca has become Spain’s second airport to deploy the EU’s new Entry/Exit biometric border system, meaning non-EU travellers face fingerprint and facial scans and potentially longer queues during the rollout period.
Spain Announces Digital Overhaul of Backlogged Residency System
Madrid has unveiled a nationwide digital platform that will replace Spain’s fragmented, paper-based residency procedures, aiming to cut appointment backlogs and harmonise document requirements from 2026.