Family Reunification in Spain 2026: How to Bring Your Spouse, Children or Parents

Family reunification in Spain allows qualifying foreign residents to bring certain family members to live legally with them in Spain. However, the correct procedure depends on who the sponsor is, what residence permit they hold and which relative is moving to Spain.

Under Spain’s ordinary reagrupación familiar procedure, a qualifying foreign resident can potentially reunite with:

• a spouse;
• a registered partner;
• a qualifying stable unmarried partner;
• children;
• certain adult dependent children;
• legally represented persons;
• dependent parents or parents-in-law in restricted circumstances;
• certain adult children who will act as carers.

But ordinary family reunification is not the correct route for every family.

A family member of a Spanish citizen, an EU citizen, a Digital Nomad or certain other international-mobility permit holders can have a completely different immigration procedure.

That distinction should be checked before preparing documents.

Family Reunification in Spain at a Glance

Question	General rule
Who sponsors the application?	Qualifying foreign resident in Spain
Main form	EX-02
Spouse eligible?	Yes, if requirements are met
Registered partner eligible?	Yes
Unregistered stable partner eligible?	Potentially
Children eligible?	Generally under 18, plus certain dependent adult children
Parents eligible?	More restrictive
Income required?	Yes
Adequate housing required?	Yes
Health insurance required?	Yes, according to applicable rules
Can spouse work?	Yes, generally without a separate work permit
Can eligible children of working age work?	Yes
Standard decision period	Up to 2 months
Visa after approval?	Generally yes when family member is abroad and requires it
TIE after arrival?	Yes where applicable

What Is Family Reunification in Spain?

Family reunification — reagrupación familiar — is a residence procedure allowing a foreign national legally resident in Spain to bring qualifying foreign family members to live with them.

The person already residing in Spain is known as the:

reagrupante — sponsor

The family member coming to Spain is the:

reagrupado — reunited family member

The procedure normally begins with a residence authorization application in Spain.

Only after that authorization is granted does the family member abroad normally complete the corresponding consular visa procedure.

The sequence is therefore generally:

Residence in Spain

→

EX-02 family reunification application

→

Approval

→

Family reunification visa

→

Entry into Spain

→

TIE

→

Empadronamiento, healthcare, schools and other post-arrival procedures

Family reunification is therefore not simply a Spanish visa application.

Which Family Immigration Route Should You Use?

This is the most important question on the entire page.

Spain has several family-based immigration systems.

Ordinary Family Reunification

Usually relevant when the sponsor is a non-EU foreign national already legally resident in Spain under the general immigration regime.

The principal application is normally made using EX-02.

Read our detailed EX-02 Family Reunification guide when preparing the application.

Family Member of a Spanish Citizen

Spain now has a specific residence authorization for qualifying foreign relatives of Spanish citizens.

It should not automatically be treated as ordinary EX-02 family reunification.

This route can be significantly different in:

• who qualifies;
• where the application can be submitted;
• residence duration;
• work rights;
• age limits for children;
• dependency requirements.

If the family sponsor is Spanish, identify this route before completing EX-02.

Family Member of an EU Citizen

A non-EU relative accompanying or joining an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen can fall under the EU-family residence framework.

That procedure is different from ordinary family reunification.

Digital Nomad Family Members

Qualifying family members of Spain’s Digital Nomad applicants can often apply under the international-mobility system.

This can allow a family to move together rather than requiring the principal applicant to live in Spain for a year first.

See our Spain Digital Nomad Visa guide.

Highly Qualified Professionals and Other International-Mobility Permits

Certain permit holders under Spain’s international-mobility framework can also have special family procedures.

Again:

Do not assume EX-02 is the universal Spanish family visa form.

Who Can Sponsor Ordinary Family Reunification?

The ordinary procedure is aimed primarily at foreign nationals legally resident in Spain.

In the standard situation, the sponsor can apply after:

living legally in Spain for at least one year

and

applying for authorization to remain for at least another year.

The authorization for the reunited family member cannot normally become effective until the sponsor has obtained the residence status required by the procedure.

This is sometimes described online as the:

“one year + one more year” rule.

But it is better understood as a residence-continuity requirement rather than simply counting two years.

Do You Have to Wait Until Your Renewal Is Approved?

Not necessarily before submitting.

The current system allows the family-reunification application to be presented once the qualifying sponsor has:

• resided legally in Spain for at least one year; and
• applied for authorization to remain for at least another year.

However, the family member’s residence authorization normally cannot be granted until the sponsor’s required renewal or residence status has actually been obtained.

That is more precise than saying:

“You must always wait until your renewed TIE is physically in your hand.”

Who Can You Bring Through Family Reunification?

The ordinary route can cover several categories.

Can You Bring Your Husband or Wife to Spain?

Yes.

A qualifying spouse aged 18 or older can generally be reunited when:

• the marriage is legally valid;
• the spouses are not legally or factually separated;
• the marriage was not entered into fraudulently;
• the remaining family-reunification conditions are satisfied.

Spain does not permit the sponsor to reunite with multiple spouses even where the sponsor’s national law recognizes polygamous marriage.

Previous marriages can also create additional documentation requirements.

Can You Bring an Unmarried Partner to Spain?

Potentially, yes.

Marriage is not the only qualifying relationship.

Spain recognizes both registered and certain unregistered partnerships.

Registered Partner

A qualifying partnership registered in an accepted public register can satisfy the relationship requirement.

Stable Unregistered Partner

A non-registered relationship can also potentially qualify if the couple can demonstrate a genuine and sufficiently established relationship analogous to marriage.

The current standard definition generally requires evidence of at least:

12 continuous months of cohabitation

inside or outside Spain.

However, the previous-cohabitation requirement is not normally required where the couple has a common child, provided the relationship continues.

Possible supporting evidence can include:

• joint residence records;
• shared tenancy agreements;
• joint financial documents;
• official registrations;
• birth certificate of a common child;
• other evidence establishing genuine cohabitation.

A collection of photographs alone should not be treated as the foundation of the case.

Can You Bring Your Children to Spain?

Yes.

Children are among the principal family-reunification categories.

The ordinary procedure generally covers:

children under 18 at the time of the residence application

including qualifying children of the sponsor’s spouse or partner.

Certain adult children can also qualify where they:

• have a disability requiring support; or
• are objectively unable to provide for their own needs because of their health.

Adopted children can qualify where the adoption produces the necessary legal effects in Spain.

What If Only One Parent Is Moving the Child?

This requires particular care.

Where only one parent has custody or parental authority, Spain can require evidence demonstrating that the parent has the legal authority to relocate the child.

Depending on the circumstances, documentation may include:

• exclusive custody;
• sole parental authority;
• judicial authorization;
• consent from the other parent;
• evidence that the child is genuinely dependent on the sponsoring parent.

Shared custody does not automatically prevent relocation, but the other person holding custody rights generally needs to consent to the child’s residence in Spain.

Custody documents should be reviewed before beginning the visa process.

Can You Bring an Adopted Child?

Potentially.

The adoption decision needs to be capable of producing legal effects in Spain.

International adoptions can therefore require additional legal documentation.

Do not assume that a foreign adoption certificate will automatically be accepted without examining recognition, legalization and translation requirements.

Can You Bring Your Parents to Spain?

Potentially, but ordinary parent reunification is substantially harder than bringing a spouse or minor child.

The standard parent route generally concerns:

• the sponsor’s first-degree ascendants;
• first-degree ascendants of the spouse or qualifying partner.

The parent normally must:

• be dependent on the sponsor;
• generally be over 65;
• have circumstances justifying residence in Spain.

There can be exceptions for parents under 65 where qualifying humanitarian reasons exist.

Do You Need Long-Term Residence to Bring Parents?

Generally, this is one of the major additional restrictions.

Ordinary reunification of parents or parents-in-law normally requires the sponsor to hold — or be in the process of obtaining where permitted — long-term residence or long-term EU residence in Spain.

That means bringing a parent normally does not follow the same timeline as bringing a spouse or child.

This distinction should be built into long-term relocation planning.

What Does “Dependent Parent” Mean?

Simply being retired or receiving money occasionally from a child in Spain does not automatically prove dependency.

Authorities can examine the real financial and personal situation.

Relevant evidence may include:

• regular transfers from the sponsor;
• financial support over time;
• the parent’s pension;
• other income;
• assets;
• housing;
• medical circumstances;
• family circumstances in the country of origin;
• who actually pays the parent’s essential expenses.

Current guidance specifically contemplates evidence showing that the sponsor has transferred funds or paid the parent’s expenses during the relevant period.

Do not create a few transfers shortly before filing and assume that this automatically demonstrates genuine dependency.

Can You Bring a Parent Under 65?

Potentially, but this is an exception rather than the standard rule.

Humanitarian circumstances can allow an ascendant under 65 to qualify where the other conditions are satisfied.

These cases are highly fact-specific.

Medical circumstances, dependency, family support and conditions in the parent’s country of residence can all become relevant.

Can an Adult Child Be Reunited to Care for the Sponsor?

Spain’s current ordinary family-reunification rules also include a specific category involving an adult son or daughter of the sponsor, spouse or partner who will act as a carer where the sponsor has an officially recognized degree of dependency.

This is a specialized route and should not be confused with ordinary adult-child dependency.

How Much Income Do You Need for Family Reunification?

Financial means are a central requirement.

The sponsor must normally demonstrate fixed and regular resources sufficient for the family.

The general formula is:

Sponsor + 1 reunited family member = 150% of IPREM

For each additional member:

+50% of IPREM

With the current IPREM benchmark of €600 per month, the general calculation works approximately like this:

Household size	General monthly benchmark
Sponsor + 1 family member	€900
Sponsor + 2 family members	€1,200
Sponsor + 3 family members	€1,500
Sponsor + 4 family members	€1,800

These figures should be treated as the general calculation, not a universal amount for every family-reunification file.

Different rules can apply where minors or legally represented persons are involved.

Are There Reduced Income Rules for Families With Children?

Yes.

Spain’s current framework allows the ordinary financial requirement to be reduced in qualifying cases involving:

• minor children;
• certain persons under legal representation.

The authorities must consider the best interests of the child and the circumstances of the family.

There is also a specific alternative calculation linked to the guaranteed amount of Spain’s Minimum Living Income for households involving minors.

This is important because a family should not automatically conclude:

“We fail because we do not reach the standard 150% + 50% IPREM formula.”

The actual household composition should be reviewed.

What Income Can Count?

The authorities examine the nature and regularity of the family’s resources.

Depending on circumstances, relevant resources can include:

• employment income;
• self-employment income;
• pensions;
• certain benefits;
• recurring investment or rental income;
• qualifying stable assets.

For economic activities, authorities are interested in the actual net economic return rather than simply business turnover.

Stable assets can also be considered under the applicable calculation.

The regulations allow certain income belonging to other qualifying members of the household living in Spain to be considered as part of the family’s resources.

What Income Does Not Automatically Count?

Not every payment received by a household is treated identically.

Certain categories of social-assistance income and specified housing or study assistance can be excluded from the calculation.

This is another reason not to prepare the application using:

bank balance alone = required income

The administration is examining whether the family has credible, stable means of support.

What Financial Documents Do Employees Use?

Typical evidence can include:

• employment contract;
• recent payslips;
• tax return where relevant;
• other documents establishing stable employment and income.

Current official guidance commonly asks employed sponsors for recent payroll evidence covering several months.

What Financial Documents Do Autónomos Use?

Self-employed sponsors may use documentation such as:

• registration of professional activity;
• tax filings;
• IRPF information;
• quarterly returns;
• business evidence;
• other documentation establishing actual recurring income.

Anyone operating as self-employed should make sure their tax and Social Security situation is consistent with the income they are presenting to immigration authorities.

Is a Large Bank Balance Enough?

Not necessarily.

A substantial account balance can be relevant, but the family-reunification rules focus heavily on fixed, regular and sufficient means.

Where stable assets are relied upon, the administration can examine them over time rather than simply looking at a balance created shortly before the application.

The source and stability of funds therefore matter.

Do You Need Suitable Housing?

Yes.

The sponsor normally needs to demonstrate that the family will have access to adequate housing in Spain.

This does not mean the sponsor must own property.

A suitable rental home can qualify.

The important issues include whether:

• the sponsor or qualifying household has a legal right to occupy the property;
• the property is suitable for the family;
• the required housing evidence is available.

What Is the Informe de Vivienda Adecuada?

The informe de vivienda adecuada is the adequate-housing report used to support family reunification.

It can address:

• legal right to occupy the property;
• number of rooms;
• use of those rooms;
• number of people living there;
• habitability;
• basic equipment.

The competent authority varies across Spain.

Depending on the autonomous community, the procedure can involve regional or municipal authorities.

How Long Should the Housing Report Take?

The current framework provides a one-month period for the competent authority to issue and notify the adequate-housing report.

If the report is not issued within that period, the applicant may be able to demonstrate the housing requirement through alternative evidence permitted by law.

You should keep proof showing that the housing-report application was properly submitted.

The report or permitted substitute documentation should also be sufficiently recent when the reunification application is filed.

How Old Can the Housing Report Be?

The housing report or qualifying substitute documentation generally has a maximum age of:

6 months

at the time of the family-reunification application.

Do not request it so early that it expires before the rest of the file is ready.

Can You Use a Rental Apartment?

Yes.

Property ownership is not required.

A qualifying rental property can satisfy the requirement if:

• you have a valid legal right to occupy it;
• it has adequate space and conditions;
• the housing documentation supports the family size.

This is why housing and immigration planning should happen together.

See our guide to Long-Term Rentals in Spain if you are still arranging accommodation.

Does Family Reunification Require Health Insurance?

Yes, healthcare coverage is an important part of the current ordinary reunification framework.

The sponsor must demonstrate the required health-insurance position for the sponsor and qualifying family members.

However, do not automatically assume that everyone needs to purchase the same commercial policy.

The correct documentation can depend on the family’s healthcare circumstances.

Before buying insurance solely for the immigration application, review our Health Insurance for Spain Visas guide.

For access to Spain’s public system after arrival, see Public Healthcare in Spain.

What Documents Are Needed?

Every file differs, but ordinary family reunification normally involves documents relating to both the sponsor and the family member.

Sponsor Documents

Common examples include:

• passport;
• Spanish residence documentation;
• evidence of income/resources;
• employment or self-employment documents;
• adequate-housing evidence;
• health-insurance documentation;
• relationship documentation;
• declarations required for spouse/partner cases;
• proof of payment of the applicable fee.

Family Member Documents

Depending on the relationship:

• valid passport;
• marriage certificate;
• birth certificate;
• partnership documentation;
• proof of cohabitation;
• custody documentation;
• parental consent;
• adoption documentation;
• dependency evidence;
• health evidence;
• other civil-status documents.

Do Foreign Documents Need an Apostille?

Many foreign public documents need either:

• an apostille; or
• the appropriate legalization procedure,

unless an international agreement removes the requirement.

The correct procedure depends on the country that issued the document.

This is especially relevant for:

• birth certificates;
• marriage certificates;
• custody judgments;
• adoption decisions;
• criminal-record certificates.

Do not wait until the final week before filing to begin apostille or legalization work.

Do Documents Need a Sworn Translation?

Foreign-language documents submitted in Spanish immigration procedures can require an official translation.

Depending on where the application is handled, Spanish or another applicable co-official language can be relevant.

Newcomer.es also provides guidance on Sworn Translation Services in Spain.

Which Form Is Used?

The ordinary family-reunification residence application uses:

Modelo EX-02

But EX-02 is only the form.

Approval depends on the supporting evidence behind it.

Read our dedicated EX-02 Spain guide before submitting.

How Do You Apply for Family Reunification?

The process can be divided into ten stages.

Step 1: Identify the Correct Family Route

Determine whether the case belongs under:

• ordinary EX-02 reunification;
• family of a Spanish citizen;
• EU-family residence;
• Digital Nomad family residence;
• another international-mobility category.

This should happen before collecting documents.

Step 2: Confirm Sponsor Eligibility

Check:

• current residence status;
• length of legal residence;
• renewal/status requirements;
• additional requirements for parents.

Step 3: Confirm That the Relative Qualifies

The rules differ for:

• spouse;
• partner;
• child;
• parent;
• dependent adult;
• legally represented person;
• carer.

Step 4: Calculate Financial Means

Do not rely on an old euro amount.

Calculate your household under the current rules.

Step 5: Arrange Adequate Housing

Request the housing report at the right time and maintain proof of the application.

Step 6: Prepare Foreign Documents

Order civil records early.

Complete:

• apostille/legalization;
• sworn translation;
• custody documentation;
• dependency evidence.

Step 7: Submit EX-02

The sponsor normally submits the residence authorization application in Spain, either through the appropriate immigration office or electronically where applicable.

Authorized representation can also be possible.

Step 8: Wait for the Residence Decision

The official maximum decision period for the initial ordinary family-reunification authorization is generally:

2 months

If the administration does not issue a decision within the applicable period, the procedure operates under negative administrative silence.

That does not necessarily mean applicants should simply start again.

The procedural position should be reviewed.

What Happens After Family Reunification Is Approved?

Approval in Spain is not the final step when the family member is abroad.

The consular stage normally follows.

Step 9: Apply for the Family Reunification Visa

The reunited family member generally has:

2 months from notification of the residence approval

to apply for the corresponding visa at the competent Spanish consular office.

The consular file can require:

• passport;
• criminal-record certificate for applicants of relevant age;
• medical certificate;
• original family documentation;
• other required visa documents.

The consular authority normally has an official maximum period of:

1 month

to decide the visa application.

Step 10: Collect the Visa and Enter Spain

After visa approval, strict deadlines continue.

The visa normally needs to be collected within the applicable period after notification.

Once it is collected, the reunited family member normally needs to enter Spain within:

1 month

under the ordinary reunification procedure.

Do not obtain the visa and then postpone the move for several months without checking its validity.

When Must the Family Member Apply for a TIE?

The reunited person normally needs to apply for their Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero — TIE within:

1 month after entering Spain

where the TIE requirement applies.

For the card procedure itself, see our EX-17 TIE guide.

How Long Is the Family Reunification Residence Permit Valid?

When the sponsor holds temporary residence, the reunited relative’s initial authorization generally runs until the same expiry date as the sponsor’s authorization at the time the family member enters Spain, subject to a minimum period.

Where the sponsor holds qualifying long-term residence, different duration rules apply.

The family member’s residence status therefore remains connected to the sponsor, particularly at the beginning.

Can a Spouse Work After Family Reunification?

Yes.

One major advantage of ordinary family reunification is that the residence authorization for a spouse or qualifying partner generally also permits them to work.

They do not need to obtain an entirely separate initial work authorization first.

They can generally work:

• as an employee;
• as self-employed;

throughout Spain and across occupations/sectors, subject to ordinary employment, tax and Social Security rules.

If working independently, see When to Register as an Autónomo in Spain.

Can Reunited Children Work?

Children holding qualifying family-reunification residence can also have work rights after reaching Spain’s legal minimum working age.

Work authorization does not eliminate the normal protections and restrictions applying to young workers.

For younger children, schooling rather than employment will be the immediate priority.

Can a Reunited Spouse Eventually Get an Independent Permit?

Yes.

Family reunification does not necessarily mean the spouse’s immigration status remains permanently dependent on the sponsor.

A spouse or partner can potentially move to an independent residence and work authorization after satisfying the applicable conditions.

One current route can arise after completing at least one year of family-reunification residence and meeting specified financial, employment or self-employment requirements.

There are also protections for situations involving:

• divorce or separation;
• domestic or sexual violence;
• trafficking;
• certain family offences;
• death of the original sponsor.

These cases have their own conditions and deadlines.

What Happens After Divorce?

Divorce does not automatically mean the reunited spouse loses all possibility of remaining in Spain.

The current framework contains routes toward independent residence in qualifying circumstances.

The relevant factors can include:

• duration of the relationship;
• period of cohabitation in Spain;
• custody of children;
• timing of the application for independent residence.

Anyone approaching separation or divorce should examine immigration consequences before allowing deadlines to pass.

Family Reunification for Children: Plan Beyond Immigration

For children, visa approval is only one part of the relocation.

Parents should coordinate:

• housing;
• empadronamiento;
• school enrollment;
• healthcare;
• vaccination records;
• language support;
• transport;
• childcare;
• after-school activities.

See our guide to the Spanish School System for Newcomers if children will be entering school after the move.

Family Reunification vs Family of a Spanish Citizen

These two procedures should not be confused.

Spain now has a dedicated residence framework for foreign family members of Spanish nationals.

The current Spanish-family rules can cover categories including:

• spouse;
• registered partner;
• stable partner;
• children;
• certain dependent parents;
• certain carers;
• other qualifying relatives.

One major difference is that children within the Spanish-family framework can generally fall within a broader age category than children under ordinary EX-02 family reunification.

If the sponsor is Spanish:

do not automatically prepare EX-02.

Check the Spanish-family route first.

Family Reunification vs EU Family Residence

If the sponsor is an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen exercising qualifying residence rights in Spain, the non-EU family member can fall under the EU-family regime.

This uses different rules and documentation.

Our Moving to Spain as an EU Citizen guide explains the wider EU residence framework.

Family Reunification vs Digital Nomad Family Residence

Digital Nomads should be particularly careful.

Qualifying relatives can often be incorporated into the international-mobility process rather than waiting until the principal applicant completes the ordinary one-year residence period.

This can allow:

principal applicant + spouse + children

to structure the move together from the beginning.

Using ordinary family reunification unnecessarily could create months of avoidable family separation.

Common Family Reunification Mistakes

Choosing the Wrong Procedure

This is probably the biggest mistake.

Spanish citizen, EU citizen, Digital Nomad and ordinary foreign-resident family routes are not interchangeable.

Thinking Every Sponsor Must Wait for a Physical Renewal Card

The legal rule concerns residence and the applicable renewal/status process, not merely possession of the new plastic TIE.

Applying Too Early

The sponsor still needs to satisfy the residence timing requirements.

Using Old Income Figures

IPREM and other benchmarks must be checked for the relevant year.

Ignoring the Special Rules for Children

Families involving minors can have more favorable financial calculations.

Assuming a Bank Balance Solves the Income Requirement

Authorities examine stability and regularity, not just one account balance.

Renting Housing Without Considering the Housing Report

The home needs to support the family-reunification application.

Waiting Too Long to Request the Housing Report

But requesting it too early can also create an expiry problem.

Assuming an Unmarried Couple Cannot Qualify

Qualifying stable partnerships can be accepted.

Failing to Prove 12 Months of Cohabitation

Where the unregistered-partner route relies on cohabitation, evidence should be prepared carefully.

Assuming Any Adult Child Can Be Reunited

Ordinary adult children need to fall within specific qualifying circumstances.

Assuming Parents Are Easy to Reunite

Parent reunification has significantly stricter residence, dependency, age and justification requirements.

Creating Dependency Evidence at the Last Minute

Genuine financial dependency is often demonstrated through an established pattern.

Ignoring Custody Rights

Relocating a child without the correct parental authorization can stop the application.

Forgetting Apostilles and Translations

Foreign civil documents can require both authentication and official translation.

Treating Approval as the End of the Process

Visa, entry, TIE, empadronamiento, healthcare and schooling can still follow.

Family Reunification Checklist

Before applying, confirm:

• correct family immigration route;
• sponsor nationality;
• sponsor residence permit;
• sponsor residence history;
• renewal/status requirement;
• qualifying family relationship;
• spouse or partner documentation;
• 12-month cohabitation evidence where required;
• common-child evidence where relevant;
• children’s ages;
• custody and parental consent;
• parent age and dependency;
• long-term residence requirement for parent cases;
• current income requirement;
• stable income evidence;
• adequate housing;
• housing report;
• health-insurance requirement;
• valid passports;
• marriage certificates;
• birth certificates;
• apostilles/legalization;
• sworn translations;
• EX-02;
• applicable immigration fee;
• consular visa plan;
• entry deadline;
• TIE appointment;
• empadronamiento;
• healthcare registration;
• school arrangements.

Frequently Asked Questions About Family Reunification in Spain

What is family reunification in Spain?

It is a residence procedure allowing qualifying foreign residents of Spain to bring certain foreign family members to live with them legally.

How long must I live in Spain before bringing my spouse?

Under the ordinary route, you can generally submit after at least one year of legal residence once you have applied to remain for at least another year, subject to the other requirements.

Do I have to wait for my renewal to be approved?

The application can potentially be submitted once the legal timing conditions are met, but reunification normally cannot be granted until the sponsor has obtained the required renewed or qualifying residence status.

Can I bring my husband or wife?

Yes, where the marriage and other family-reunification requirements are satisfied.

Can I bring my boyfriend or girlfriend?

A casual relationship is not enough. However, a qualifying stable unmarried partner can potentially be reunited.

How long do unmarried partners need to live together?

The standard unregistered stable-partner rule generally requires at least 12 continuous months of demonstrated cohabitation.

What if we have a child together?

The 12-month previous-cohabitation requirement is generally not required where the couple has common descendants and the relationship continues.

Can I bring my children?

Yes, ordinary reunification generally covers children under 18 and certain older children who meet disability or health-dependency conditions.

Can I bring a 20-year-old healthy child?

Not ordinarily simply because they are financially dependent. Adult children under the ordinary EX-02 system must normally fall within one of the specific qualifying categories.

Can I bring my parents?

Potentially, but the requirements are substantially stricter.

Do I need long-term residence to bring my parents?

Generally, ordinary parent reunification requires the sponsor to have or qualify for long-term or long-term-EU residence under the applicable rules.

Do parents have to be over 65?

The standard ordinary-reunification route generally requires the ascendant to be over 65, dependent and have reasons justifying residence in Spain. Humanitarian exceptions can apply below age 65.

How much income do I need?

The general calculation is 150% of IPREM for the sponsor plus one reunited family member and an additional 50% for each additional family member.

How much is that in 2026?

Using the current €600 monthly IPREM benchmark, the general threshold starts at approximately €900 per month for a sponsor plus one family member and increases by approximately €300 for each additional member.

Are there reduced income requirements for children?

Potentially, yes. Spain provides specific flexibility and alternative calculations in qualifying cases involving minors or legally represented persons.

Do I need to own a home?

No. A suitable rental property can qualify.

What is the informe de vivienda adecuada?

It is the adequate-housing report used to demonstrate that the family’s accommodation meets the applicable requirements.

How long does the housing report take?

The current framework provides a one-month period for issuance and notification, after which alternative proof can potentially become relevant if the statutory conditions are met.

How old can the housing report be?

Generally no more than six months when the family-reunification application is filed.

Do I need health insurance?

The current ordinary family-reunification framework contains a health-insurance requirement. The appropriate proof depends on the family’s circumstances.

Which form do I use?

Ordinary family reunification generally uses EX-02.

How long does the application take?

The official maximum period for deciding the initial residence application is generally two months.

What happens after approval?

The family member abroad normally proceeds to the family-reunification visa stage.

How long do I have to apply for the visa?

Generally two months from notification of the favorable residence decision.

How long does the consulate have to decide?

The official visa-decision period is generally up to one month.

How soon must the family member enter Spain?

Under the ordinary procedure, after collecting the visa the family member generally has a maximum of one month to enter Spain.

When should the TIE be requested?

Generally within one month after entry into Spain.

Can my spouse work?

Yes. A qualifying spouse or partner holding family-reunification residence generally has the right to work without obtaining a separate initial work permit.

Can reunited children work?

Qualifying children who have reached the legal working age can generally work under their family-reunification authorization.

Can my spouse later get independent residence?

Potentially, yes. Spain provides routes allowing reunited spouses and partners to obtain an independent residence authorization when the applicable requirements are satisfied.

Does a Digital Nomad use EX-02 for family members?

Not necessarily. Digital Nomad families can have a specific international-mobility route that may allow the family to apply together.

What if my husband or wife is Spanish?

Do not automatically use EX-02. Spain has a specific residence authorization for qualifying foreign family members of Spanish citizens.

What if my spouse is an EU citizen?

The EU-family residence framework can apply instead of ordinary family reunification.

Build the Family Immigration Strategy Before Anyone Moves

Family reunification works best when it is treated as a family relocation project, not simply as one immigration form.

A strong sequence is:

Identify sponsor status

→

Choose the correct family residence route

→

Confirm eligible family members

→

Calculate income

→

Arrange suitable housing

→

Request housing report

→

Prepare civil documents

→

Apostille/legalize and translate

→

Submit residence application

→

Complete visa stage

→

Enter Spain

→

Apply for TIE

→

Complete empadronamiento

→

Register healthcare

→

Enroll children in school

→

Build family life in Spain

For the application form itself, continue to our EX-02 Family Reunification guide.

For the broader immigration process, see Immigration Services in Spain.

If you want help coordinating your family’s move from the immigration application through housing, documents, healthcare and settlement, contact Newcomer.es.