If you want to apply for social arraigo successfully, you have to read this post to the very end. Because one of the most important requirements is to obtain your integration report, and in this article, you will discover all the details you need to know about it. We will see what this report consists of, how complicated it is to get it (since there is an interview that you must pass), how much it costs, and how long it takes to obtain it (key to later process your arraigo application and consider all related timings).
The social integration report is one of the key documents required for your arraigo application that you will obtain after you have demonstrated that you actually have a link with the region in which you have resided for 3 years.
In addition to the 3 years in Spain, one of the most important requirements to be able to obtain social roots is to be able to demonstrate integration with Spanish society and more specifically with the region in which you are located.
If you have first-degree relatives in Spain (i.e. parents, children, grandparents, spouse, etc.), it is way easier, as this will be sufficient proof to demonstrate this link.
However, if this is not the case (which is usually the most common), you will have to apply for the so-called social integration report.
To obtain this report successfully means to fulfill a series of requirements that are specified by each Autonomous Community and that are understood as sufficient to demonstrate the link with the region.
For example, in Catalonia this means taking Catalan courses to be able to verify that you speak the language (a course of approximately 40 hours); while in other places we can find Spanish courses in case it is not your native language.
In addition, another point that is highly valued for the achievement of this report is the participation in some associations, interactions with the neighborhood, use of municipal public services, and any other similar undertaking.
Generally, obtaining this report is not a complicated task and it is not usual to be rejected. However, it is always essential to know in detail how the process works and to comply with the requirements thoroughly. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail, and through this post we will solve all your doubts so that you can succeed.
Again, and this point is very important, if you have a family member in Spain it is NOT necessary to request the report.
For the rest of foreigners, let’s see how this process works step by step.
How can you obtain this report?
The way and steps to get this report depends and varies according to the Autonomous Community where you are.
That is to say, it is not the same process in Madrid as in Barcelona.
However, and in general, this process starts in the town hall where you live and will always consist of an interview with a public worker of the town hall or local government.
This interview will mainly measure your level of Spanish or the language of the autonomous community in case you have your own language (for example in Catalonia your level of Catalan will be measured); as well as understanding what exactly you are doing in Spain and what your plans are in the country.
If Spanish is your tongue language, the interview will most likely be by telephone and you will not have to go in person (this is, for example, what happens in Madrid).
However, if it is not, you will probably have to go in person for your arraigo interview with the social services officer after making an appointment.
In this interview, you will have to bring with you all the requirements of arraigo social (which you can find in detail in this post): employment contract (with the required characteristics), criminal record certificate, proof that you have been in Spain for at least 3 years, etc.
As we have already mentioned, the report for arraigo is issued by the Autonomous Community in which you have your habitual residence as a foreigner, or by the corresponding town hall if that is what is specified by the government of the Autonomous Community.
Here you can find the complete list of institutions in charge of issuing it according to the region where you are, something that will be essential to understand in view of the particularities of the procedure.
As you can see, it is a document that depends on regional regulations, and therefore the requirements to obtain it also vary depending on where you live.
How much does it cost?
Just as the procedure differs depending on the region you are in, so does the cost of the fee to be paid.
For example, in Madrid the cost is 30,30 €; while in cities like Barcelona it is totally free and there is no associated cost.
How long does it take to get the integration report for arraigo?
Generally, on any official web page, you will see that the official time specified is 30 days from the date of application. However, you will usually receive the report by email after approximately 2 weeks, so the process after the interview is quite fast (although sometimes there may be longer delays).
Once you receive it, you will be able to finally start your application for social arraigo at the immigration office, attaching this report to the rest of the necessary documentation.
However, keep in mind that it is best not to request any other documents from your country of origin until you receive this report.
Criminal records have an expiration date of 3 months, and if you request them before you receive your arraigo report (which can experience certain delays), you will have to request the criminal records again since it could have expired.
If you still have doubts and you would like our team of expert immigration lawyers to guide you step by step, do not hesitate to contact us.
Book a consultation with one of our lawyers and solve all your doubts:
At Balcells Group we have been foreigners effortlessly moving to Spain for over 11 years. We help expats from all around the world with their immigration, business, tax and legal needs; ensuring a legally safe and enjoyable transition to the Spanish territory. Our multilingual team understands the importance of adapting to the cultural and legal specificities of our international clients. We offer a comprehensive service that combines the expertise of several generations of lawyers with the innovation needed to address today’s legal challenges, always striving to simplify processes and ensure reliable, effective results.
