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Home Immigration Spain Arraigo laboral Spain Is it possible to apply to two different Spanish residencies?

Is it possible to apply to two different Spanish residencies?

Last Updated on March 18, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi

Question

Is it possible to apply to two different Spanish residencies? I’ve been working with a company under Residencia de Práticas, tried to switch to Cuenta Ajena after a year but we got denied for reasons we disagree with (too long to explain here). My employer will now go to trial to appeal it but this can take a long time and in the meantime they will remove me from the company as I now don’t have a valid residency.

Can I, while the trial is ongoing apply for Pareja de Hecho with my european partner so I can get a residency and continue to work? If my employer win the appeal I understand I will be granted the Cuenta Ajena residency, would I have to give up the other one?

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Answers

These are the answers of some Facebook group members:

“I suggest to do the pareja de hecho for the tarjeta comunitaria instead. Yes, it’s possible to apply for 2 residency at once. Remember, you have 90 days to renew your TIE after it expires. It is better to be safe and to have a plan B.
I was also in the same route. I was in residencia para prácticas for a year and switched to cuenta ajena without a problem. You just have to hit all the requirements for the cuenta ajena, even to the smallest detail.”

“Pdh is a long process as pdh needs to be acquired before residency application made.
And like you say you can’t be employed while your residency is in flux.”

“It can be a very quick process if done with a notary. €€€€€€ – Link

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“Best bet is to speak to a professional legal advisor in immigration as most of us are not experts, just what experiences we have.”


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📖 Related Reading: For a complete overview of tax residency, income tax brackets, Beckham Law, Modelo 720, and more, see our Taxes for Expats in Spain: The Complete Guide.

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author avatar
Bruno Bianchi CEO & Spain Immigration Expert
Bruno Bianchi is the founder and CEO of Spainguru, Spain's largest expat immigration community with 150,000+ members. Since 2014 he has helped thousands of people relocate to Spain through expert guides, webinars and vetted professional services covering visas, residency, taxes and life in Spain.
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Bruno Bianchi
Bruno Bianchi is the Director at SpainGuru, where he offers his expertise on Spanish immigration, visas, and residency. Over the years, he has been a guide for many navigating the intricacies of Spanish immigration & bureaucracy. In addition to his role at SpainGuru, Bruno anchors the SpainGuru YouTube channel. Through this platform, he shares valuable insights and updates on immigration matters, simplifying complex processes for a global audience. Bruno's dedication to providing clear and trustworthy information has made him a trusted figure in the community. In addition to his pivotal role at SpainGuru, Bruno boasts over 17 years of professional experience in several online platforms. With roles ranging from the COO and co-founder of Spotahome.com and Sales director of the MAPSA Group, Bruno's diverse experiences (he holds 3 nationalities) and multilingual capabilities (he speaks 5 languages) make him a dynamic and influential figure in both the immigration and business sectors.