The social integration report (in Spanish, the informe de integración social or informe de arraigo) is one of the key documents in a social roots (arraigo social) residence application in Spain. This guide explains, in plain English, what the report is, who issues it, when it is mandatory, the documents you’ll need, how long it takes, and what it costs — all under the rules of the new Immigration Regulation, Real Decreto 1155/2024, in force since 20 May 2025.
This matters because a lot of advice still online describes the old framework (the former RD 557/2011), which set different requirements. The reform changed several of them — most importantly, it reduced the required time in Spain from three years to two — so it is worth getting the current picture before you start.
What the social integration report is
The social integration report is a document issued by the Autonomous Community (or the Town Hall where the community has delegated the task) that certifies your integration into Spanish society. It is not, on its own, the residence permit — but in social roots cases the Immigration Office relies heavily on it, so a favourable report is decisive. It is prepared by social services, normally after an in-person interview with a social worker, and it assesses things like your knowledge of Spanish (or the region’s co-official language), your ties to the community, your activities here, and your plans.
Where the report fits: arraigo social under the new rules
The new regulation organises arraigo into five types — social, sociolaboral (work-based), socioformativo (training), familiar (family), and second chance. The social integration report belongs principally to arraigo social, so it helps to be clear about what that route now requires:
- At least two years of continuous residence in Spain (down from three under the old rules), with absences of under 90 days in that period.
- Either family ties with a legally resident relative (spouse, registered partner, or first-degree direct relative) or a favourable social integration report — this is where the report becomes essential.
- Sufficient financial means, generally at least 100% of the IPREM (€600 per month in 2026), which for a self-sponsored applicant must be shown as their own resources.
- No criminal record in Spain or in the countries where you have lived in the last five years.
An important distinction: a job offer or work contract is not part of arraigo social anymore. The contract belongs to a separate route, arraigo sociolaboral, which replaced the old “labour” arraigo and is for people who can prove a work relationship in Spain. If your case rests on a contract rather than integration, that is the route to look at — and we can confirm which one fits in a consultation. For the social route itself, see our page on arraigo social.
Two improvements brought in by the new regulation are worth knowing: every arraigo authorization now allows you to work (employed or self-employed) from the moment it is granted, and arraigo permits are now renewable for successive one-year periods while you still meet the conditions — something that did not exist under the old rules, where the permit was a dead end unless you converted it.
When the report is required
You will need the social integration report when you are applying for arraigo social and you do not have qualifying family ties with a legal resident — that is, when integration is the basis of your case. In practice that covers most people who are relying on their own means and their roots in the community rather than on a relative’s status. If you do have qualifying family ties, the report may not be strictly necessary, but it can still strengthen the file. Confirming which basis your case rests on is the first thing to settle.
Who issues it, and what it costs
The report is issued by the Autonomous Community where you live, or by the corresponding Town Hall where the community has delegated it. You must request it in the place where you are registered on the census (empadronado) — you cannot apply somewhere else. Because responsibility and exact requirements vary by region, identifying the competent authority is the first practical step.
The fee depends on the community. In Madrid it is around €30.30; in Barcelona the report is free. Other communities set their own fees, and some do not charge one.
Documents and the interview
Exact requirements vary by community, but the report is built around an interview with a social worker, and the documents support what is discussed there. Typically you should be ready with:
- Proof of continuous residence in Spain for at least two years — usually a historical census certificate (empadronamiento histórico), supported by tenancy contracts, medical records, or other administrative documents.
- Passport (full copy, valid).
- Criminal record certificate.
- Evidence of financial means (your own resources for a self-sponsored application).
- Evidence of integration: language ability, and participation in educational, training, social, or community activities — anything that shows real ties to where you live.
At the interview, the social worker will assess your Spanish (or the co-official language of your region), your activities in Spain, and your future plans. If Spanish is your native language, in some places the interview may be done by phone; otherwise it is an in-person meeting that needs a prior appointment. The strongest cases are the ones where the documents and the interview tell a consistent story about a person genuinely settled in the community.
How long it takes
The official timeframe is 30 days from the request, though in practice many communities send the report by email within about two weeks. Once you have it, you can file your arraigo social application at the Immigration Office (form EX-10, online through the Mercurio platform or in person, fee model 790-052). Because the report and the application have their own timelines, sequencing them well — so nothing expires and the file is complete — is what keeps the process moving.
How we help
Lexmovea supports English-speaking applicants through the whole social roots process: confirming whether your case rests on integration or family ties (and whether arraigo social or sociolaboral is the right route), preparing you for the social-services interview, building a consistent evidence pack on residence, means, and integration, and then filing the arraigo application itself. With the rules having changed in 2025, getting the current requirements right from the start is the difference between a smooth file and a setback.
If you need the social integration report or help with your full arraigo social application, contact Lexmovea and we’ll guide you step by step — in English throughout.
Frequently asked questions
What is the social integration report?
It is a document issued by your Autonomous Community or Town Hall certifying your integration into Spanish society. In arraigo social cases it is central, because the Immigration Office relies on it heavily. It is prepared by social services after an interview with a social worker.
How long do I need to have lived in Spain?
Under the new regulation (in force since May 2025), arraigo social requires at least two years of continuous residence — reduced from the three years required under the old rules. Absences should be under 90 days within that period.
Do I always need the integration report for arraigo social?
You need it when your case is based on integration rather than on family ties with a legal resident. If you have qualifying family ties, the report may not be strictly required, though it can still help. Either way, you must show sufficient financial means.
Do I need a work contract for arraigo social?
No. Under the new rules, a work contract belongs to arraigo sociolaboral, a separate route. Arraigo social is based on family ties or the integration report, plus sufficient means (generally 100% of the IPREM, €600/month in 2026). We can confirm which route fits your situation.
Can I work once arraigo social is granted?
Yes. Under the new regulation, every arraigo authorization allows you to work, employed or self-employed, from the moment it is granted. The permit is also renewable for successive one-year periods while you continue to meet the conditions.
Where do I request the report, and what does it cost?
You request it where you are registered on the census, from the competent Autonomous Community or Town Hall. The fee varies: around €30.30 in Madrid, free in Barcelona, and different amounts elsewhere.
How long does the report take?
The official timeframe is 30 days from the request, though many communities send it by email within around two weeks. After that, you can file your arraigo social application at the Immigration Office.