Long-Term Residence in Spain
Review of requirements and support with long-term and EU long-term residence applications.
Quick answer
Long-term residence allows indefinite residence and work in Spain, while the physical TIE must still be renewed periodically. The most common route is five years of legal and continuous residence.
Who may qualify
- Foreign nationals who have accumulated the required period of legal continuous residence in Spain.
- People falling within other special long-term or long-term-EU grounds.
Main requirements
- Generally five years of legal and continuous residence, subject to the rules on permitted absences.
- No circumstance preventing grant of the authorisation.
- Long-term-EU residence has additional requirements and should be distinguished from national long-term residence.
Documents
- Passport and EX-11 form.
- Evidence of residence periods where the Administration cannot verify them automatically.
- Evidence of any special ground where the application is not based on the ordinary five-year rule.
How the procedure works
- Review residence history and absences.
- File for national long-term or, where appropriate, long-term-EU residence.
- After approval, obtain or renew the corresponding TIE.
Frequently asked questions
How many years are required?
The ordinary rule is five years of legal and continuous residence, subject to the applicable limits on absences.
Does long-term residence itself expire?
The status is indefinite, but the physical TIE must be renewed periodically.
Official sources
Last reviewed: 20/08/2026
Residency and immigration services
Assistance with Spanish long-term residence and EU long-term residence applications.
Need help with your situation?
Briefly describe your circumstances so the appropriate residency procedure and required documents can be assessed.