FAMILY REUNIFICATION VISA FOR SPAIN

If you are not an EU citizen but are a legal resident in Spain, you can apply for a family reunification visa and sponsor your loved ones to live with you. If you are an EU citizen, even if your relatives are not, they could still move with you through a family extension visa or a Community Card (“EU Citizen Card”). These are sometimes referred to as an EU family residence permit.

FAMILY REUNIFICATION IN SPAIN

Anyone with at least a long-term residence permit in Spain can sponsor certain immediate relatives to live with them in Spain, even if neither you nor they are citizens of the European Union (EU).

WHO ARE CONSIDERED IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS?

Immediate family members, biological or adopted, are considered as:

• Your spouse or registered partner

• Your own children, or the children of your spouse or registered partner, under 18 years old

• Your own adult children, or adult children of your spouse or registered partner:

  • Between 18 and 21 inclusive if financially dependent on you and enrolled in a Spanish school or university

  • Of any age (including over 21) if disabled and you are their primary caregiver

• Your parents, if over 65 years old, or of any age if dependent on you due to disability or illness

• For non-EU citizens only: the parents of your spouse or registered partner (subject to the same conditions as your own parents)

Non-EU citizens can only bring immediate family members to Spain with a family reunification visa. EU citizens can also bring extended family members, whether or not they are EU citizens. If they are not EU citizens but you are, you would need to apply for a family extension visa or a Community Card (“EU Citizen Card”), sometimes called an “EU family member residence permit.”

WHO ARE CONSIDERED EXTENDED FAMILY MEMBERS?

Extended family members include:

• Your brothers and sisters

• Your grandparents

• Your cousins

• Your adult children up to and including 21 years old (without needing to prove they are students)

• Your nephews and nieces

• Your uncles and aunts

• For EU citizens only: the parents of your spouse or registered partner (subject to the same conditions as your own parents)

• Family members not listed above who are disabled

You can only sponsor extended family members if there is a dependency relationship between you and them. You must demonstrate that they normally live with you, having done so for at least two years in your country of origin, or that they are considered part of your wider family circle. Your extended family member must be:

• Financially dependent on you

• Dependent on you as their primary caregiver, or your caregiver if you can prove a serious disability or major health issues requiring assistance

• Legally or financially responsible to you

For unmarried partners, you will likely be asked to prove that you are in a genuine relationship. You will also need to provide evidence that you have lived together for at least one year or that you have children in common.

WHAT ABOUT UNMARRIED SAME-SEX COUPLES?

Same-sex couples can marry or become registered partners in Spain under the same legal basis as opposite-sex couples. Any discrimination based on same-sex relationship preference or gender combination is completely illegal. Foreign same-sex couples can marry or form a registered partnership in countries where it is legal, regardless of whether their country of origin or current residence allows it. This means that even if your home country does not recognize same-sex marriage or partnership, you can still bring your partner to live with you in Spain.

Couples do not need to be residents in Spain to marry or form a registered partnership (“pareja de hecho”) there. If they are non-EU citizens, they must arrange this before applying for a reunification visa for their partner. If you are an EU citizen, you can bring a same-sex partner to Spain, whether married or a registered partner, but you must become spouses or registered partners before your family residence permit expires, to allow them to stay in Spain with you.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR A FAMILY REUNIFICATION VISA IN SPAIN

Visa applications require many documents, but fewer if the sponsor is an EU citizen residing in Spain. When the sponsor is a non-EU citizen, the joining family member will need to provide more documents than if the sponsor were an EU citizen. Required documents by sponsor nationality are as follows:

All Sponsors (EU or Non-EU Citizens)

• Your valid passport (not expired). Spanish citizens may use their National Identity Document (DNI) instead.

• Photocopy of your passport (or DNI if Spanish).

• Proof that you are covered by healthcare in Spain via the state system or hold an approved private health insurance policy.

• Private health insurance for your family member (unless they are entitled to state healthcare, in which case they will have it too).

• Proof of relationship: birth certificates, adoption documents, and marriage or registered partnership certificates.

• Proof that the family member is financially dependent on you.

Sponsors Who Are EU Citizens

• Completed EU family residence application (Form EX19) – original and photocopy

• Your residence document (“green certificate”) or, if Spanish, your DNI

• Original passport of your family member, valid (not expired) plus a photocopy

• When applicable, proof of disability or care needs of the family member

• Proof that you have a regular income from work, the Spanish State, or as a student:

  • If not employed or a student, proof of at least €10,167 per year for one family member plus €3,388.20 per year for each additional member

Sponsors Who Are Non-EU Citizens

• Completed visa application (Form EX02)

• Photocopy of the family member’s passport

• A report from your town hall confirming your home has sufficient space for incoming family members

• For your parents or the parents of your spouse or adult children over 21, proof of disability or care needs

• For your children or spouse’s children aged 18–21 inclusive, proof of financial dependence and enrollment in an approved school or training provider in Spain

• Proof that your income meets the minimum required

HOW LONG CAN MY FAMILY MEMBER STAY IN SPAIN?

This depends on whether you are an EU or non-EU citizen and is subject to visa or permit approval.

• Non-EU citizens: Your family member’s right to stay in Spain lasts as long as yours. When your own permit needs renewal, your family member must renew theirs too.

• EU citizens: Your family member may stay in Spain for up to five years, after which they can apply for permanent residence in their own right.

This does not apply to EU family permits for unmarried partners, which are valid for only one year. You must marry or register the partnership to extend their stay. While EU citizens may stay outside Spain for long periods without affecting their residency rights, this does not apply to sponsored family members. They cannot be outside Spain for more than six consecutive months or six months within any 12-month period. If they do, they lose residence rights. Whether EU or non-EU citizen, if you leave Spain during your family member’s residence permit validity, their permit automatically ends. If your family member eventually applies for residence in their own right, their right to remain is unaffected if you later move permanently from Spain.

HOW LONG DO YOU NEED TO BE A RESIDENT IN SPAIN BEFORE BRINGING YOUR FAMILY?

• Non-EU citizens: Your initial one-year residence permit must have been renewed for at least another year before bringing immediate family members. Bringing parents or spouse’s parents requires permanent residence (at least five years of legal residence).

• EU citizens: To bring any qualifying family member, you must hold a long-term residence certificate (up to five years) or permanent residence certificate (over five years).

HOW TO APPLY FOR AN EU FAMILY RESIDENCE PERMIT

Sponsored family members by EU citizens must travel to Spain first, then apply in person at the nearest foreigners’ office within 90 days of arrival. You must accompany them to provide necessary documents. They will usually receive a stamped copy of their form as proof they have applied and are awaiting a decision. The foreigners’ office has up to three months to reject the application or issue a residence card, which the family member must collect in person.

Before your family member arrives, you must obtain a Declaration of Intent (“Acta de Manifestaciones”) from a notary, confirming your willingness to have them live with you. If your family member comes from a country requiring a visa for Spain, the Declaration is required for the application. Even if a visa is not needed, non-EU citizens may be asked to show this declaration at the border.

HOW TO APPLY FOR A FAMILY REUNIFICATION VISA IN SPAIN

Family members sponsored by non-EU citizens residing in Spain must apply for their reunification visa before traveling. They cannot enter Spain until approved. The process goes through the Spanish Consulate in their home country and may take several months.

You, as the sponsor, must submit all required documents at the nearest foreigners’ office before their arrival. Processing should take around 45 days. Once approved, the family member must apply in person at the Spanish Consulate in their home country within two months, providing the necessary documents and certified translations.

Required documents include:

• Passport and photocopy (no sworn translation needed)

• Medical certificate issued within the last 90 days showing no contagious or infectious diseases

• Criminal background certificate showing no criminal record in the last five years

• Declaration of Intent (“Acta de Manifestaciones”) confirming your willingness to host them, or

• Completed Schengen visa form

• Proof of family relationship

The Consulate must approve or reject the application within two months. Once approved, the visa is sent to the family member, who must move to Spain within three months. After arrival, they must apply for a Foreigner Identification Card (“TIE”) within one month.

HOW MUCH MONEY DO I NEED TO BRING MY FAMILY TO SPAIN?

• Non-EU citizens: Must demonstrate income meets the minimum required.

• EU citizens: Only need to show some income; no minimum is specified.

Required documents to prove employment are initially the same for both EU and non-EU citizens, with additional conditions for non-EU citizens.

EU CITIZEN SPONSORS

• Employees: Must show Social Security registration certificate and valid employment contract. No minimum salary or employment duration specified.

• Self-employed: Certificate of Social Security registration (Form 036/037) and proof of economic activity (IAE). No income declaration required.

• EU citizens receiving state payments: Include maternity/paternity, pensions, disability, unemployment, or widow benefits. Amount does not matter; standard Social Security documentation suffices.

• Passive income earners: Must demonstrate annual income meets €10,167 minimum to sponsor one family member plus €3,388.20 per additional member.

NON-EU CITIZEN SPONSORS

Income levels are based on IPREM (€600/month or €7,200/year).

• Must show 150% of IPREM (€900/month, €10,800/year) to sponsor one family member

• €300/month (€3,600/year) additional for each extra family member

Additional required documents:

• Employees: Permanent or ≥1-year contract, meeting income requirements

• Self-employed: Latest annual tax return, quarterly returns unless exempt

• All applicants: Bank statements for last six months

CAN FAMILY MEMBERS WORK WITH A FAMILY VISA?

• EU sponsors: Family members enjoy same rights as the sponsor, can work once EU family residence permit is approved.

• Non-EU sponsors: Spouse or registered partner may work once visa is approved. Extended family members or unmarried partners intending to stay more than 90 days in a 180-day period must apply for their own residence permit to work.

CAN FAMILY MEMBERS ACCESS HEALTHCARE WITH A FAMILY VISA?

Whether EU or non-EU, if you are entitled to Spanish state healthcare, your dependents can access it. You must request a dependent Social Security number, then register them with a doctor. If you are not entitled to state healthcare, your dependents are not either. Legal residents of any nationality who are employed or self-employed are entitled to state healthcare.