# Change your status from inside Spain > Three routes to a permit that lets a non-EU citizen already living in Spain work as an autónomo. - Page: https://autonomo.eus/steps/change-status - Part: Part A: Right to work - For: Non-EU citizens already living in Spain - Last checked: 14 October 2026 > This page explains the routes. It is not legal advice. Before you apply, check your case with a lawyer. [Free legal help in Euskadi](https://autonomo.eus/steps/legal-help) If you already live in Spain, three routes can lead to a permit that lets you work as an autónomo. You apply at the [Oficina de Extranjería](https://autonomo.eus/steps/offices#contact-the-immigration-office) of your province. ## How you apply Every route on this page uses the same two ways in: - **In person:** at the immigration office (*Oficina de Extranjería*) of the province where you live: Vitoria-Gasteiz, Bilbao or Donostia/San Sebastián. Book an appointment (*cita previa*) first in the [Government's appointment system](https://icp.administracionelectronica.gob.es/icpplus/index.html). Choose your province, then the procedure for your permit. Addresses and phones: [contact the immigration office](https://autonomo.eus/steps/offices#contact-the-immigration-office). - **Online:** through [Mercurio](https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/pagina/index/directorio/mercurio2), the Government's online filing service for immigration applications. You need a digital certificate or an electronic DNI, and the free Autofirma program to sign the form. The official sheet for *arraigo socioformativo* gives only the in-person route. For every route you also: 1. Fill in and sign the form named below. Download it from the [Ministry of Inclusion's forms page](https://www.inclusion.gob.es/web/migraciones/modelos-generales). 2. Pay the fee with form 790 código 052 within 10 working days of applying. Fill it in on the [Government's fee page for 790 código 052](https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/pagina/index/directorio/tasa052): choose your province, then pay online with a digital certificate or Cl@ve, or click "Obtener Documento" (get the document), print it and pay at a bank. 3. Check how your application is going on the [Government's status service](https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/pagina/index/directorio/infoext2) ("Información sobre el estado de tramitación de los expedientes de extranjería"). You can also send an SMS with the word NIE and your NIE number to 651 714 610. 4. Once the permit is granted, apply for your foreigner ID card (*TIE*) in person at the Policía Nacional, usually within 1 month. The official sheet for your route, linked below, gives the exact deadline. See [Get your TIE card](https://autonomo.eus/steps/tie-card). ## Residence through ties to Spain (*arraigo*) - **What it is:** a residence permit for people with ties to Spain. There are five types: *segunda oportunidad*, *sociolaboral*, *social*, *socioformativo* and *familiar*. - **Who it is for:** most types need 2 years of continuous stay in Spain. The family type (*familiar*) has no minimum stay. - **Can you work as an autónomo?** Yes, once the permit is granted, except with *socioformativo*, which allows employee work only, up to 30 hours a week. - **Good to know:** self-employment cannot be the basis of a *sociolaboral* application. The permit lasts 1 year, or 5 years for *familiar*. The one-off extraordinary arraigo closed on 30 June 2026. - **How you apply:** form EX-10 (*autorización de residencia por circunstancias excepcionales*). Fee: form 790 código 052, section 2.3.1. Each type has its own official sheet with the documents to bring: [segunda oportunidad](https://www.inclusion.gob.es/web/migraciones/w/autorizacion-residencia-temporal-por-circunstancias-excepcionales.-arraigo-laboral), [sociolaboral](https://www.inclusion.gob.es/web/migraciones/w/29.-autorizacion-de-residencia-temporal-por-circunstancias-excepcionales.-arraigo-sociolaboral.), [social](https://www.inclusion.gob.es/web/migraciones/w/autorizacion-residencia-temporal-por-circunstancias-excepcionales.-arraigo-social), [socioformativo](https://www.inclusion.gob.es/web/migraciones/w/30.-autorizacion-residencia-temporal-por-circunstancias-excepcionales.-arraigo-socioformativo) and [familiar](https://www.inclusion.gob.es/web/migraciones/w/autorizacion-residencia-temporal-por-circunstancias-excepcionales.-arraigo-familiar). ## Students - **During your studies:** in higher education, your student stay lets you work up to 30 hours a week, as an employee or self-employed. This is automatic: there is nothing extra to apply for. - **After your degree:** you can change to a self-employment permit. It lasts 1 year and has the same requirements as [the permit from abroad](https://autonomo.eus/steps/apply-from-abroad): licences, qualification and enough investment. - **Other option:** a 24-month permit to look for work or start a business. It does not allow work by itself. - **How you apply for the change:** form EX-26 (*modificación de autorización de residencia o estancia*). Fee: form 790 código 052, section 2.5. The [official sheet on changing from a student stay](https://www.inclusion.gob.es/web/migraciones/w/58.-modificaciones-desde-autorizaciones-de-estancia-por-estudios-superiores-ensenanza-secundaria-actividades-formativas-o-formacion-sanitaria-especializada) lists the documents to bring. ## Employee permit holders - **What it is:** a change from an employee permit to a self-employment permit (*modificación de cuenta ajena a cuenta propia*). - **Who it is for:** holders of a residence and work permit with at least 1 year of residence. - **How you apply:** form EX-26 (*modificación de autorización de residencia o estancia*). Fee: form 790 código 052, section 2.5.2. After the grant, [register with Social Security](https://autonomo.eus/steps/register-social-security) within 1 month, then apply for your TIE within 1 month of that registration. The [official sheet on changing from a work permit](https://www.inclusion.gob.es/web/migraciones/w/55.-modificacion-desde-situaciones-de-autorizaciones-de-residencia-temporal-que-habilitan-a-trabajar) lists the documents to bring. ## Official sources - [Ministry of Inclusion: arraigo](https://www.inclusion.gob.es/web/migraciones/situacion-excepcional-o-de-irregularidad) - [Ministry of Inclusion: work during studies](https://www.inclusion.gob.es/web/migraciones/w/hoja-4-bis-acceso-al-empleo-de-las-personas-titulares-de-una-autorizacion-de-estancia-de-larga-duracion-por-estudios-movilidad-de-alumnos-servicios-de-voluntariado-o-actividades-formativas) - [Ministry of Inclusion: changing from a student stay](https://www.inclusion.gob.es/web/migraciones/w/58.-modificaciones-desde-autorizaciones-de-estancia-por-estudios-superiores-ensenanza-secundaria-actividades-formativas-o-formacion-sanitaria-especializada) - [Ministry of Inclusion: changing from an employee permit](https://www.inclusion.gob.es/web/migraciones/w/55.-modificacion-desde-situaciones-de-autorizaciones-de-residencia-temporal-que-habilitan-a-trabajar) - [Ministry of Inclusion: application forms, including EX-10 and EX-26](https://www.inclusion.gob.es/web/migraciones/modelos-generales) - [Government online office: Mercurio online applications](https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/pagina/index/directorio/mercurio2) - [Government online office: fee form 790 código 052](https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/pagina/index/directorio/tasa052) - [Government online office: status of your application](https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/pagina/index/directorio/infoext2) Next step: [Get your TIE card](https://autonomo.eus/steps/tie-card.md) --- Free, independent information. Not an official government website or a gestoría. General information, not legal, immigration or tax advice. Confirm current requirements with the authority before you act. Report a mistake: a@halawa.io. Source: Autónomo.eus (https://autonomo.eus).