Residency
Spain — Residency: Permanent Residency
Long-term (permanent) residency in Spain requires 5 years of continuous, legal residence holding a valid temporary residency permit. To avoid resetting the residency clock, total time outside Spain must not exceed 10 cumulative months across the 5-year window, or 6 consecutive months in a single trip. Successful applicants receive the long-term TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero), granting the right to live and work indefinitely under conditions identical to Spanish citizens.
VerifiedGovernment / official sourceMinistry of Inclusion, Social Security and MigrationLast reviewed: 2026-07-17
Key facts
- Requires 5 years of continuous, legal residence under a valid temporary residency permit.
- Time outside Spain must not exceed 10 cumulative months over the 5-year window, or 6 consecutive months in one trip, to avoid resetting the clock.
- Grants the long-term TIE card, allowing indefinite work and residence under conditions identical to Spanish citizens.
- Permanent residence does not automatically confer Spanish citizenship.