Family Reunification Visa

Spain Family Reunification Visa 2026: Requirements, Eligible Relatives and Application Process

Living abroad is often much harder when your closest family members remain in another country.

Spain’s family reunification system provides legal routes through which qualifying foreign residents, Spanish citizens and citizens of other EU countries can bring close family members to live with them in Spain.

However, there is no single Spanish “Family Visa” that applies to every family.

The correct procedure depends primarily on the status of the person already living in Spain. A non-EU resident, a Spanish citizen and an EU citizen may each need to use a different legal pathway.

The three principal routes are:

General Family Reunification: For qualifying relatives of non-EU citizens legally residing in Spain
Residence for Family Members of Spanish Citizens: A special route introduced under Spain’s immigration regulations that entered into force in May 2025
EU Family Member Residence Card: For qualifying non-EU relatives of EU, EEA or Swiss citizens exercising free-movement rights in Spain

Choosing the wrong category can lead to incorrect forms, unnecessary housing reports, missing financial evidence or a rejected application.

This guide explains who can be reunited, what the sponsor must prove, how the application process works and which rights family members receive after arriving in Spain.

What Is Family Reunification in Spain?

Family reunification is a legal procedure that allows a qualifying person living in Spain to obtain residence authorization for certain close relatives.

It is intended for genuine family settlement rather than short visits.

A successful application may allow the family member to:

Establish legal residence in Spain
Live with the sponsoring relative
Obtain a TIE residence card
Access employment rights in qualifying cases
Register locally through empadronamiento
Access healthcare in Spain under the applicable rules
Enrol children in school
Renew the residence authorization
Accumulate qualifying residence toward long-term residence in Spain

An initial family reunification authorization under the general regime is temporary. It is not automatically permanent residence.

After five years of qualifying legal and continuous residence, the family member may become eligible to apply for Spanish long-term residence, subject to the applicable requirements.

Which Spanish Family Residence Route Applies?

Before collecting documents, identify which category applies to the sponsor.

General Family Reunification

This route generally applies when the sponsor is:

A non-EU citizen
Legally residing in Spain
The holder of a qualifying Spanish residence authorization
Not sponsoring the application under the EU or Spanish-citizen family regimes

The official procedure is called Autorización de residencia temporal por reagrupación familiar.

The principal application form for this route is EX-02 for Family Reunification in Spain.

Family Members of Spanish Citizens

Since 20 May 2025, qualifying non-EU relatives of Spanish citizens generally have access to a specific residence authorization regulated separately from ordinary family reunification.

This route is broader in some respects. For example, it can cover children under 26 and certain other dependent relatives.

The official procedure is called Autorización de residencia temporal de familiares de personas con nacionalidad española.

Applicants using this route should review EX-24 Residence for Family Members of Spanish Citizens.

Family Members of EU, EEA or Swiss Citizens

A non-EU family member of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen who lives in Spain under EU free-movement rules may need to obtain a Tarjeta de residencia de familiar de ciudadano de la Unión.

The EU citizen must normally be working, self-employed, studying or have sufficient resources and appropriate healthcare coverage.

The relevant application is explained in EX-19 Spain: EU Family Residence Card.

The EU citizen personally normally completes their own residence registration through EX-18.

A Spanish citizen who previously exercised free-movement rights in another EU country and returns to Spain may, in some circumstances, also fall under EU rules. Individual legal analysis may be necessary.

Who Can Be Reunited Under Spain’s General Regime?

The general family reunification route has a relatively strict definition of eligible family members.

Spouse

A foreign resident may reunite with one spouse, provided:

The marriage remains legally valid
The couple is not legally separated
The marriage was not entered into fraudulently
The sponsor does not live in Spain with another spouse or partner

Spain recognizes same-sex marriages on the same basis as opposite-sex marriages when the marriage is valid and can produce legal effects in Spain.

Applicants dealing with marriage documents may also find the Newcomer.es explanation of getting married in Spain as a foreigner useful.

Registered or Stable Partner

A sponsor may reunite with a registered partner or a person with whom they maintain a relationship comparable to marriage.

A non-registered relationship may generally be recognized as stable when the couple proves at least 12 continuous months of marital-type cohabitation.

The previous cohabitation period is not normally required when the couple has a child together and the relationship continues.

Evidence may include:

Joint residence records
Shared rental contracts
Joint bank accounts
Insurance policies
Government registrations
Travel records
Correspondence
Birth certificates of common children

A simple declaration that two people are partners may not be enough.

Children Under 18

The sponsor may generally reunite with:

Their biological children
Their legally adopted children
Children of their spouse or qualifying partner
Certain children under their legal representation

Children must normally be under 18 when the residence application is submitted.

When only one parent is bringing the child to Spain, additional documents may be required to prove:

Exclusive custody
Parental authority
Authorization from the other parent
A court decision permitting relocation
The other parent’s death, where applicable

Adult Children with Disabilities or Serious Health Dependency

A child over 18 may qualify when:

They have a disability requiring support, or
They are objectively unable to provide for their own needs because of their health

The family must provide detailed medical, financial and dependency evidence.

Dependent Parents and Parents-in-Law

The sponsor may potentially reunite with:

Their mother or father
The mother or father of their spouse
The parent of a qualifying registered or stable partner

Under the general regime, the parent must normally:

Be a first-degree ascendant
Be financially or physically dependent on the sponsor
Be over 65
Have reasons justifying the need to live in Spain

Parents under 65 may be considered exceptionally when humanitarian circumstances exist.

The sponsor must generally hold Spanish long-term residence or long-term EU residence before bringing parents through this route.

Adult Child Acting as a Carer

The current regulations also allow the possible reunification of an adult child who will act as a carer for the sponsor when the sponsor has an officially recognized degree of dependency under Spanish dependency legislation.

Does the General Regime Cover Children Up to Age 26?

Not generally.

The statement that all family reunification applications include dependent children up to age 26 is incorrect.

Under the general family reunification regime, children are normally required to be under 18. Adult children may qualify when disability or health circumstances prevent them from supporting themselves.

The under-26 rule belongs primarily to the special authorization for qualifying family members of Spanish citizens through EX-24.

Can You Bring Siblings, Cousins or Extended Family?

Ordinary family reunification does not normally cover:

Brothers and sisters
Cousins
Aunts and uncles
Nephews and nieces
Adult financially independent children
Other distant relatives

However, the special route for relatives of Spanish citizens is broader.

It may cover:

One relative up to the second degree who will care for a dependent Spanish citizen
Other family members who can prove that they are genuinely dependent on the Spanish citizen

These are exceptional categories requiring strong evidence. They should not be treated as automatic sponsorship rights.

Requirements for the Sponsor Under the General Regime

The sponsor carries most of the initial evidentiary burden.

The sponsor must generally prove:

Qualifying legal residence
Stable and regular financial resources
Suitable accommodation
Healthcare coverage
A genuine family relationship
Continued compliance with Spanish immigration rules

Applicants who are unsure whether their existing residence status permits family reunification can review Newcomer.es Immigration Services in Spain.

Prior Legal Residence in Spain

For ordinary reunification of a spouse, partner or child, the sponsor can generally apply after:

Living legally in Spain for at least one year, and
Applying for authorization to reside for at least one additional year

However, the family authorization will not normally be granted until the sponsor’s renewal has become effective.

Residents approaching renewal can review Residence Permit Renewal in Spain.

To sponsor parents under the general regime, the sponsor normally needs long-term residence or long-term EU residence in Spain.

This waiting requirement does not apply in the same way to the special family-member route for Spanish citizens.

Financial Requirements for Family Reunification

The sponsor must have stable and regular resources sufficient to support the household without relying on social assistance.

The standard calculation under the general regime is:

Sponsor plus one family member: 150% of the monthly IPREM
Each additional family member: an additional 50% of the monthly IPREM

Spain’s monthly IPREM in 2026 is €600.

The general 2026 baseline is therefore:

Household	Monthly baseline	Annual baseline
Sponsor plus one relative	€900	€10,800
Sponsor plus two relatives	€1,200	€14,400
Sponsor plus three relatives	€1,500	€18,000
Each additional relative	+€300	+€3,600

These are basic statutory figures, not a guarantee of approval.

The Immigration Office will also assess:

Whether the income is fixed and regular
Whether the sponsor has other dependants
How long the income is likely to continue
Whether the sponsor’s employment is stable
The source and accessibility of savings
The complete financial position of the household

Special reduced calculations may apply when the reunified family members are minors or legally represented persons. Current rules include alternative protections connected to the minimum wage and the guaranteed amount of Spain’s Minimum Living Income.

Financial Documents

The sponsor may need to provide:

Employees

Employment contract
Payslips from the previous six months
Latest income-tax return
Social Security employment history
Employer confirmation

Sponsors employed in Spain can also review the Newcomer.es overview of the Spanish work permit system for information about employment residence and Social Security.

Self-Employed Sponsors

Proof of professional activity
Tax registration
Quarterly tax declarations
Latest annual tax return
Social Security records
Business bank statements

For information about Spanish self-employment residence and autónomo activity, see the Spain Self-Employed Visa — Cuenta Propia.

Sponsors Without Employment Income

Bank certificates
Savings evidence
Investment records
Credit documentation
Other proof of available financial resources

Unexplained transfers made shortly before applying can weaken the financial dossier.

Housing Adequacy Report

The sponsor must normally prove that the family has suitable accommodation.

This is commonly demonstrated through an Informe de adecuación de la vivienda.

The report is generally issued by the competent authority of the autonomous community. A town hall or other local authority may issue it when the autonomous community has delegated that responsibility.

The process does not always involve a physical inspection, although an inspection may occur.

The report or supporting documentation normally addresses:

The legal right to occupy the property
Number of rooms
Use of each room
Number of existing occupants
Habitability
Equipment and basic utilities
Whether the home is suitable for the proposed household size

If the responsible authority does not issue and notify the report within one month, the sponsor may potentially demonstrate housing suitability using other legally accepted evidence, together with proof that the report was requested.

The housing report or substitute evidence must generally be no more than six months old when the application is filed.

Possible supporting documents include:

Rental contract
Property deed
Landlord identification
Empadronamiento records
Utility bills
Floor plan
Photographs
Proof of the housing-report request

Families looking for accommodation can also review Long-Term Rentals in Spain before signing a rental agreement.

Healthcare Requirements

The general-regime sponsor must show appropriate healthcare coverage for themselves and the relatives being reunited.

This does not mean that every family must automatically purchase private insurance without copayments or waiting periods.

Coverage may depend on:

The sponsor’s employment and Social Security status
Public healthcare entitlement
The family member’s eligibility as a beneficiary
An international healthcare arrangement
Private insurance where public coverage is unavailable

Where private insurance is used, the responsible authority or consulate may require evidence that the policy provides adequate coverage in Spain.

Do not assume that ordinary travel insurance will satisfy a long-term residence application.

See Healthcare in Spain for Newcomers for an explanation of public healthcare, family beneficiaries and private healthcare options.

Documents Needed for General Family Reunification

The precise file depends on the relationship and the applicant’s country.

A typical application may include the following.

Sponsor’s Documents

Completed EX-02 family reunification application
Complete valid passport copy
Current TIE
Residence-renewal approval where applicable
Employment contract
Six months of payslips
Tax returns
Bank certificates
Proof of suitable housing
Housing adequacy report
Healthcare documentation
Declaration that no other spouse or partner lives with the sponsor in Spain
Government-fee payment

Family Member’s Documents

Complete valid passport copy
Marriage certificate
Registered-partnership certificate
Birth certificate
Adoption records
Custody documents
Parental authorization
Evidence of dependency
Medical evidence where relevant
Criminal-record certificate for applicants over the applicable age
Medical certificate for the consular stage

Applicants managing documents from several countries can use the Documents Needed to Move to Spain checklist to organize their file.

Apostilles, Legalization and Sworn Translations

Foreign public documents generally need to be authenticated before Spanish authorities can accept them.

Depending on the issuing country, authentication may require:

A Hague Apostille
Diplomatic legalization
No legalization when an international agreement provides an exemption

Documents not issued in Spanish may need an official translation completed by a sworn translator or another accepted official translation channel.

Documents commonly requiring authentication and translation include:

Marriage certificates
Birth certificates
Criminal-record certificates
Custody orders
Adoption decisions
Medical records
Dependency documents issued by a public body

Not every piece of paper automatically requires an apostille. The requirement normally applies to foreign public documents requested for the procedure.

The safest sequence is:

Obtain the original document
Correct any errors
Obtain the apostille or legalization
Translate the document and apostille together

Applicants who need foreign civil or immigration documents translated can review Translation Services in Spain.

Step-by-Step General Family Reunification Process

The standard application is completed in two main stages: residence authorization in Spain and the family member’s consular visa abroad.

Step 1: Check the Sponsor’s Eligibility

Before beginning, confirm:

The sponsor has the required residence history
The sponsor’s renewal has been filed or granted
The family relationship qualifies
Income meets the applicable threshold
The home is suitable
Healthcare coverage can be demonstrated

Step 2: Request the Housing Report

Apply through the authority responsible in the sponsor’s autonomous community or municipality.

Do this early because the authority may have up to one month to issue the report.

Make sure the address information corresponds with your empadronamiento and housing documentation.

Step 3: Prepare the EX-02 Application

The sponsor completes and signs Form EX-02.

The application may be filed:

In person through the competent Immigration Office
Electronically through Spain’s Mercurio platform
Through an authorized representative

Applicants filing Spanish procedures electronically may also benefit from understanding how the Digital Certificate in Spain works.

Step 4: File the Residence Authorization in Spain

The sponsor submits:

EX-02
Passport and residence documents
Financial records
Housing evidence
Healthcare evidence
Relationship records
Dependency evidence where applicable
Proof of government-fee payment

Step 5: Wait for the Immigration Decision

The official maximum decision period under the current general procedure is two months.

If no decision is issued within that period, the application may normally be treated as refused through administrative silence.

This does not mean that every application will be resolved in exactly two months. Requests for additional documents can extend the practical process.

Step 6: Apply for the Family Reunification Visa

After the sponsor receives a favourable decision, the family member generally has two months to apply personally for the visa at the Spanish consulate responsible for their place of residence.

The consular file may include:

National visa application
Passport
Favourable residence authorization
Sponsor’s residence card
Original relationship documents
Criminal-record certificate
Medical certificate
Apostilles or legalization
Spanish translations
Visa fee where applicable

The consulate has a maximum period of one month to decide the visa application under the current general procedure.

Step 7: Collect the Visa and Enter Spain

Once the visa is approved:

The family member generally has one month to collect it
After collection, the family member generally has one month to enter Spain

Always follow the dates printed on the visa.

Step 8: Apply for the TIE

The family member must normally apply for the TIE within one month after entering Spain.

The TIE appointment generally requires:

Passport
Visa
Entry evidence
Residence approval
TIE application form
Government-fee receipt
Passport photographs
Empadronamiento or address documents where requested
Fingerprints

The physical residence-card procedure normally uses Form EX-17.

For a complete explanation of the card itself, see TIE Card Spain.

Empadronamiento is often completed before or close to the TIE procedure, but the exact local sequence may vary.

Work Rights Under General Family Reunification

A spouse, registered or stable partner, and children of working age who receive general family reunification residence are authorized to work in Spain without applying for a separate work permit.

They may generally work:

As employees
As self-employed professionals
In any occupation
In any sector
Anywhere in Spain

No additional labour-market test is required.

This is an important distinction from foreigners moving independently through a Spanish Work Permit Visa or Cuenta Propia self-employed authorization.

The automatic work provision specifically covers qualifying spouses, partners and children of working age. Families bringing parents should confirm the conditions of the parent’s specific authorization before employment begins.

How Long Is the Family Residence Permit Valid?

Under the general regime, the reunified person’s authorization generally expires on the same date as the sponsor’s current authorization, with a minimum duration of one year.

The family member must apply for renewal before the card expires.

A renewal application can generally be submitted:

During the two months before expiration
During the three months after expiration, although late filing may lead to a penalty

See Residence Permit Renewal in Spain for more information about renewal timing and preparation.

The family member may later qualify for an independent residence authorization under circumstances such as:

Sufficient personal financial resources
Qualifying employment or self-employment
Breakdown of the relationship after the required period
Domestic or gender-based violence
Death of the sponsor
Other circumstances recognized by Spanish law

Bringing Parents to Spain: How Dependency Is Proved

Bringing a parent through the general regime is more difficult than reuniting with a spouse or minor child.

The sponsor must normally prove:

Long-term residence in Spain
First-degree family relationship
The parent is over 65
The parent is genuinely dependent
There are reasons justifying residence in Spain
The sponsor has sufficient income and suitable housing
Appropriate healthcare is available

There is no universal current rule stating that every sponsor must prove transfers equal to exactly 51% of the parent’s country’s per-capita GDP.

Dependency is assessed through the complete circumstances of the case.

Useful evidence may include:

Regular bank transfers
Proof that the transfers were received
Parent’s pension statements
Parent’s bank statements
Monthly living expenses
Medical costs
Housing expenses
Lack of sufficient personal income
Evidence of limited family support in the country of origin
Medical or care needs
Evidence that support existed before the application

Sending one large transfer immediately before applying is normally weaker than demonstrating a stable history of support.

Sponsors generally need long-term residence in Spain before using the ordinary reunification route for dependent parents.

Special Residence for Family Members of Spanish Citizens

The rules for family members of Spanish citizens are not the same as ordinary family reunification.

Spain introduced a special residence authorization under Articles 93 to 98 of the immigration regulations that entered into force in May 2025.

The procedure uses Form EX-24 rather than EX-02.

Who Qualifies as a Family Member of a Spanish Citizen?

Potentially eligible relatives include:

Spouse or Partner

Spouse over 18
Registered partner
Stable unmarried partner

A stable unregistered partner normally needs to demonstrate at least 12 continuous months of marital-type cohabitation.

The 12-month period is generally not required when the couple has a child together and the relationship continues.

Children Under 26

The route may cover:

Children of the Spanish citizen
Children of the spouse
Children of a registered partner
Children of a stable partner

Children under 26 do not normally have to prove financial dependency in the same way as an older child, but they must generally:

Live or intend to live with the family
Be unmarried
Not have created their own independent family unit

Children aged 26 or older may qualify if they:

Remain dependent, or
Have a disability requiring support

This is the origin of the under-26 rule. It does not apply automatically to ordinary general-regime reunification.

Parents

The Spanish citizen may potentially bring:

Their first-degree parents
First-degree parents of their spouse or qualifying partner

The parent must generally prove either:

Dependency and lack of family support in the country of origin, or
Humanitarian circumstances

Unlike general family reunification, the rule is not built around a universal requirement that the parent must be over 65.

Parent or Guardian of a Spanish Minor

A foreign parent, guardian or tutor of a Spanish minor may qualify when they:

Have the child in their care and live with the child, or
Are up to date with their legal parental obligations

Carer for a Dependent Spanish Citizen

One relative up to the second degree may qualify when that person provides or will provide necessary care to a Spanish citizen with an officially recognized level of dependency.

Children of a Parent Who Is or Was Spanish by Origin

Children whose mother or father is or was Spanish by origin are also included within the special framework.

Other Dependent Relatives

Other relatives may potentially apply when they can clearly prove genuine dependency on the Spanish citizen.

This category requires detailed evidence of the relationship, dependency, previous cohabitation and, where relevant, serious health or disability circumstances.

The complete application route is explained in EX-24 Spain: Residence for Family Members of Spanish Citizens.

Advantages of the Spanish-Citizen Family Route

The authorization generally:

Is valid for five years
Allows work as an employee
Allows self-employment
Applies throughout Spain
Does not require a separate work-permit application
Can sometimes be requested from within Spain
Does not impose the ordinary one-year sponsorship waiting rule
Does not use the standard general-regime 150% IPREM formula in the same way

The right to work applies to family members who are old enough to work and continues while the authorization remains valid and the required family conditions are maintained.

Application Process for Relatives of Spanish Citizens

The procedure depends on where the Spanish citizen and foreign family member are located.

Possible situations include:

Spanish citizen in Spain and family member abroad
Spanish citizen and family member both abroad and moving together
Both people already in Spain in a category that permits an in-country application

The application may be submitted:

By the Spanish citizen through the Immigration Office
By the foreign family member through the Spanish consulate
From within Spain in qualifying cases

The application form is EX-24.

The procedure is generally free of charge at the residence-authorization stage.

Foreign public documents must still be correctly legalized or apostilled and translated when required.

Family Members of EU Citizens in Spain

A separate EU regime applies when a non-EU family member joins an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen exercising free-movement rights in Spain.

Qualifying relatives commonly include:

Spouse
Registered partner
Certain durable partners
Direct children under 21
Older dependent children
Dependent direct parents
Certain members of the extended family

The EU citizen must generally demonstrate one of the following:

Employment in Spain
Self-employment in Spain
Sufficient resources and healthcare coverage
Student status, resources and healthcare coverage

A non-EU family member planning to remain in Spain for more than three months normally applies for the EU family-member residence card within three months of entering Spain.

The relevant procedure is explained in EX-19 Spain: Residence Card for Family Members of EU Citizens.

The EU citizen normally establishes their own residence through EX-18 EU Citizen Registration.

Because the EU route and the special Spanish-citizen route overlap in limited situations, families should confirm which procedure applies before submitting an application.

General Reunification vs Spanish-Citizen Family Residence

Area	General Family Reunification	Family of Spanish Citizen
Sponsor	Non-EU legal resident	Spanish citizen
Main form	EX-02	EX-24
Prior residence	Normally one year plus application for another year	No equivalent general waiting period
Children	Normally under 18, unless disability or serious health dependency	Under 26; older if dependent or disabled
Parents	Normally dependent, over 65 and sponsor must hold long-term residence	First-degree parents who are dependent and lack support, or humanitarian cases
Income	Normally 150% IPREM for two people, plus 50% per additional person	No identical general IPREM formula
Housing report	Normally required	Not generally the same housing-report requirement
Work rights	Spouse, partner and children of working age	Qualifying family members of working age
Initial duration	Linked to sponsor’s permit, minimum one year	Normally five years
Application fee	Government fee applies	Residence procedure is generally free

Common Reasons Family Applications Are Refused

Using the Wrong Residence Category

Applying under the general regime when the sponsor is Spanish or an EU citizen can lead to unnecessary requirements and delays.

Before preparing documents, determine whether the correct form is EX-02, EX-19 or EX-24.

Assuming All Children Under 26 Qualify

The age-26 rule applies to the Spanish-citizen family route, not ordinary general reunification.

Insufficient or Unstable Income

Meeting the mathematical threshold may not be enough if the income is temporary, irregular or poorly documented.

Inadequate Housing Evidence

An expired report, incomplete rental contract or overcrowded property can create problems.

Make sure housing documents and empadronamiento information are consistent.

Missing Apostilles or Legalization

A translation alone does not authenticate a foreign public document.

Translating the Document Too Early

The apostille should normally be obtained first so it can be included in the translation.

Applicants can review Translation Services in Spain when preparing foreign documents.

Weak Evidence of a Stable Partnership

Unmarried couples may need to prove genuine and continuous cohabitation.

Incomplete Custody Documentation

A parent relocating a child may need consent from the other parent or a valid court order.

Weak Evidence of Parental Dependency

Occasional transfers or a recent one-time payment may not establish genuine dependency.

Incorrect Health Insurance

Travel insurance may not satisfy the requirement for long-term healthcare coverage.

Review healthcare options in Spain before choosing coverage.

Missing the Consular Deadline

Under the general route, the family member normally has two months from the sponsor’s approval notification to submit the visa application.

How Newcomer.es Helps with Family Reunification

Family residence applications involve much more than completing one form.

Newcomer.es helps families coordinate immigration, documents, housing and post-arrival procedures.

Families looking for broader assistance can also review Newcomer.es Immigration Services in Spain and Relocation Services in Spain.

Correct Route Assessment

We first determine whether the family should use:

General family reunification
Residence as a family member of a Spanish citizen
EU family-member residence
International Mobility family residence
Another family-based route

Sponsor Eligibility Review

We assess:

Residence history
Current permit
Renewal status
Income
Housing
Healthcare
Family composition
Long-term objectives

Relationship Documentation

We help organize:

Marriage certificates
Birth certificates
Partnership records
Cohabitation evidence
Adoption records
Custody documents
Parental consent
Dependency evidence

Apostille and Translation Coordination

We help ensure that foreign public documents are authenticated and translated in the correct order.

Applicants can also review Documents Needed to Move to Spain and Translation Services in Spain.

Financial File Preparation

For general reunification, we help prepare:

Employment records
Payslips
Tax returns
Bank statements
Self-employment records
Household calculations
Evidence of stable income

Housing Report Support

We can help identify the authority responsible for the housing report and organize the rental, ownership and occupancy documents.

Families still searching for accommodation can review Long-Term Rentals in Spain.

Application and Consular Coordination

Depending on the service, support may include:

EX-02 or EX-24 preparation
Electronic dossier organization
Mercurio filing coordination
Consular document preparation
Deadline monitoring
Responses to document requests

Post-Arrival Support

After the family arrives, Newcomer.es can assist with:

Empadronamiento
TIE appointments and residence cards
Housing
Healthcare registration
Schools
Spanish bank accounts
Utilities
Digital Certificate and Cl@ve
Employment and tax orientation

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Can Apply for Family Reunification in Spain?

A qualifying non-EU legal resident can apply for eligible close family members.

Spanish citizens and EU citizens use different family-residence routes.

For a non-EU foreign resident, the application normally begins with EX-02.

Can I Bring My Spouse to Spain?

Yes, provided the marriage is legally valid, genuine and meets the requirements of the applicable family regime.

The correct procedure depends on whether the sponsor is a foreign resident, Spanish citizen or another EU citizen.

Can I Bring My Unmarried Partner?

Potentially.

Registered partners and stable unregistered partners may qualify. A stable relationship commonly requires proof of at least 12 months of continuous cohabitation unless the couple has a child together.

Can I Bring My Children?

Under the general regime, children are normally under 18 unless disability or serious health dependency applies.

Children under 26 may qualify under the special route for family members of Spanish citizens through EX-24.

Can I Bring My Parents?

Under general reunification, the sponsor normally needs long-term residence, and the parents are generally required to be dependent, over 65 and in need of relocation.

Different conditions apply when the sponsor is Spanish.

Can I Bring My Brother or Sister?

Not normally through general reunification.

A sibling may potentially qualify under the Spanish-citizen route in limited dependency or caregiving circumstances.

How Much Income Do I Need?

For general reunification in 2026, the standard baseline is €900 per month for the sponsor and one relative, plus €300 per month for each additional family member.

Alternative calculations may apply when minors are involved.

Do I Need a Housing Report?

It is normally required for general family reunification.

It is not generally required in the same way under the special Spanish-citizen route.

Housing records, rental documentation and empadronamiento should be kept consistent.

Does My Spouse Have the Right to Work?

A spouse or partner reunited under the general regime can generally work as an employee or self-employed person without applying for a separate work permit.

Family members of Spanish citizens also generally receive work rights when they are of working age.

How Long Does General Family Reunification Take?

The official authorization period is up to two months.

After approval, the consulate generally has up to one month to decide the visa application.

Practical timelines can be longer if additional documents are requested.

When Must the Family Member Apply for the Visa?

Under the general route, the family member normally has two months from notification of the favourable residence decision.

When Must the Family Member Apply for the TIE?

The TIE should normally be requested within one month after entering Spain.

The physical-card process generally uses EX-17.

Does Family Reunification Lead to Permanent Residence?

Qualifying residence can count toward the five-year period for Spanish long-term residence, but long-term status must be applied for and is not automatic.

Can Family Reunification Eventually Lead to Spanish Citizenship?

Potentially, yes.

Qualifying legal residence obtained through family reunification can form part of the residence history used for a future nationality application.

The required residence period depends on nationality and personal circumstances.

See Spanish Citizenship by Residence 2026 for the 10-year, 5-year, 2-year and 1-year residence rules.

Applicants approaching eligibility can also review the Spanish Citizenship Application 2026 process.

Reunite Your Family in Spain with Confidence

Bringing your family to Spain is one of the most important immigration processes you may undertake.

It is also one of the easiest procedures to misunderstand.

The correct age limit, income calculation, housing requirement and application form depend on whether the sponsor is a non-EU resident, a Spanish citizen or an EU citizen.

A carefully prepared family application should connect:

The sponsor’s legal status
The family relationship
Financial resources
Housing
Healthcare
Dependency evidence
Apostilles
Translations
Consular deadlines
Post-arrival procedures

A non-EU resident may need EX-02.

A qualifying family member of a Spanish citizen may need EX-24.

A non-EU relative of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen may instead need EX-19.

After approval and arrival, the process continues through procedures such as TIE registration, empadronamiento, healthcare, banking and other settlement requirements.

Newcomer.es helps families identify the correct pathway, prepare supporting evidence and coordinate every stage of the relocation process.

Our Immigration Services in Spain and Relocation Services in Spain can support the process from the initial family-residence strategy through arrival and settlement.

Contact Newcomer.es to begin preparing your personalized family reunification and relocation plan for Spain.