On June 22, 2026, the Spanish Secretary of State for Migration issued an official instruction on transition from temporary protection to other statuses for people displaced from Ukraine. The implemented changes are positive and refer to the following transition opportunities:

Long-term residency in Spain

– Time spent in Spain under temporary protection counts fully toward the legal and continuous residence period (5 years) required for long-term residence permit. If a person later obtains another type of residence permit (such as permit for studies or work), both periods are counted toward the five-year requirement.

Arraigo

– Ukrainian temporary protection holders can now apply for other Spanish residence permits (such as different types of arraigo) from within Spain.

– Ukrainian temporary protection holders can apply to change their status to work/study/other type of residence permit, if they meet the relevant requirements.

– Ukrainians with temporary protection status can apply for arraigo even though they already possess temporary protection residence permit (previous restrictions no longer apply).

– After obtaining a new residence permit, a beneficiary must formally renounce temporary protection.

Changes that concern children

– For children born in Spain residence authorization may be requested even before the parent changes to another residence category. The normal six‑month deadline only starts once a parent obtains a different residence permit.

– For children born not in Spain certain requirements to obtain a residence permit are lifted: 2 years of residence requirement, and a requirement to submit evidence of sufficient funds/proof of accommodation no longer apply.

Changes that concern students

– Holders of temporary protection who are studying can apply for a socio-training arraigo (arraigo sociolaboral/formativo). If a particular student meets the requirements for a work residence permit, the student should apply for it.

You can find the original document with the instructions from the Spanish Secretary of State for Migration at the link.