Deadline to renew or extend

1. Period to apply

   You can apply for the renewal from until , the day your permit expires.

   If you apply within this period, your permit remains valid until you get a reply (arts. 64.1, 80.1 and 86.1).

2. 3-month margin

   If you miss it, you can still apply until . Your permit is also extended until the decision, but you could face proceedings for a minor offence (LO 4/2000, art. 52.b).

3. Out of time

   After , the law no longer provides for applying for it as a renewal. Tell us about your case and we'll look at what options there are.

For family reunification, art. 71.1 sets the same window. If you already have 5 years of legal residence, long-term residence may be the one for you, with the same window (arts. 177.2 and 184.2).

Legislation: RD 1155/2024, arts. 64.1, 71.1, 80.1 and 86.1

1. Period to apply

   You can apply for the extension from until , the day your permit expires.

   If you apply within this period, your permit remains valid until you get a reply (art. 132.3).

2. 3-month margin

   If you miss it, you can still apply until . Your permit is also extended until the decision, but you could face proceedings for a minor offence (art. 132.3; LO 4/2000, art. 52.b).

3. Out of time

   After , the law no longer provides for applying for the extension. Tell us about your case and we'll look at what options there are.

If you have a job, instead of the extension you can apply for the change to a residence and work permit (art. 191).

Legislation: RD 1155/2024, art. 132.3

1. Period to apply

   You can apply for the change to a residence and work permit from until , the day your permit expires.

   If you apply within this period, your permit remains valid until you get a reply (additional provisions 20 and 21, section 10).

2. 3-month margin

   If you miss it, applications are still accepted until . Your permit is extended until the decision, but you could face proceedings for a minor offence (additional provisions 20 and 21, section 10; LO 4/2000, art. 52.b).

3. Out of time

   After , the law no longer provides for applying for the change through this route. Tell us about your case and we'll look at what options there are.

If you can't apply for the change, there is an exceptional 1-year extension (same section 10). The law doesn't set a specific window for it: so that you're not left without a permit, apply before it expires.

Legislation: RD 1155/2024, additional provisions 20 and 21 (added by RD 316/2026)

1. Period to apply

   You can apply from until : 2 months before and 3 months after that date.

   If you apply within this period, your stay remains valid until you are notified of the decision (art. 190.6).

2. Out of time

   After , art. 190.6 no longer allows you to apply through this route. Tell us about your case and we'll look at what options there are.

The reference date is the end of your student stay or the date you obtained your qualification (art. 190.6). If you don't know which one applies to you, tell us about your case.

Legislation: RD 1155/2024, art. 190.6 (as worded by RD 316/2026)

1. Period to apply

   You can apply to renew the card from until , the day it expires.

   If you apply within this period, your card remains valid until you get a reply (arts. 178.2 and 185.2).

2. 3-month margin

   If you miss it, you can still apply until , and the card is extended until the decision, although there may be a penalty (arts. 178.2, 178.3 and 185.2).

3. Out of time

   Even if you miss the deadline, you don't lose your long-term residence permit (arts. 178.3 and 185.3). But there may be a penalty and, for national long-term residence, the office will check that you still meet the conditions.

The card is first renewed after 5 years; then every 5 years until you are 30, and every 10 years after that (arts. 178.1 and 185.1).

Legislation: RD 1155/2024, arts. 178 and 185