It authorises you to live and work in Spain indefinitely, on the same terms as Spanish nationals except for rights reserved to citizenship. The card is renewed every 5 years, but the right of residence does not expire.
The "EU long-term" version adds the possibility of moving to and living in other Member States through a simplified procedure.
- People who have lived legally and continuously in Spain for 5 years.
- Special cases where the 5 years are not required: retirement or permanent disability pensioners under certain conditions, people born in Spain who can prove continuous legal residence, former Spanish nationals, and other cases set out in the Regulation.
- Five years of legal and continuous residence immediately before the application. Time spent as a student counts only partially (check how it is calculated in your case).
- Absences: no longer than 6 continuous months, nor 10 months in total within the 5 years (12 months in some employment-related cases).
- For EU long-term residence, additionally: proof of stable and regular resources and health insurance.
- No criminal record that would prevent the authorisation from being granted.
Official form EX-11, completed and signedIn duplicate (original and copy) if you file it on paper. Always download it from the Ministry website so you use the current version.Official link Full passport, validA copy of every written page (including blank ones if the office asks for them) plus the original for checking. Many procedures require at least 4 months of validity. Proof of payment of fee form 790 code 052It is generated and filled in on the official fee website, paid at a bank or online, and submitted as the stamped copy.Official link Valid TIECopy of your current residence card. Evidence of the 5 years of legal residenceCopies of all your previous cards and, if needed, a residence certificate issued by the Immigration Office. Employment history reportTo prove continuity and, where applicable, the special cases.Official link Proof of resources and insurance (EU long-term residence) if applicable Only for the EU version: stable and regular income and health insurance.Municipal registration certificateRequested at the town hall of the municipality where you live. Arraigo procedures usually require the historical or joint certificate.
Application for a long-term or EU long-term residence authorisation
Always download the form from the Ministry website: the templates are updated and offices reject outdated versions.
| Form | What it covers | Who pays | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 790 código 052 | Long-term residence authorisation | The applicant | Generate fee form |
| 790 código 012 | Issue or renewal of the card | The applicant | Generate fee form |
Amounts are updated periodically: the one shown when you generate form 790 is the one in force.
Immigration Office of your province
Filed online or by appointment.
National Police station
For renewing the long-term residence card every 5 years.
- Decision: 3 months. Administrative silence is positive.
- Card validity: 5 years, renewed automatically on proof of identity.
- TIE: 1 month from notification of the decision.
Long-term residence is lost through long absences from Spain or from the EU: check the limits before a long move abroad.
Being a long-term resident is not the same as holding Spanish nationality: it does not give you the right to vote in general elections or to a Spanish passport.