Family reunification Visa in Spain
- The family reunification visa in Spain allows a legally resident non-EU national to bring close family members to live with them.
- Eligible family members typically include a spouse or registered partner, children under 18 or dependent, and dependent parents over 65.
- The sponsoring resident must demonstrate adequate income, suitable housing, and at least one year of legal residence (with renewal in process).
- Family members of EU and Spanish citizens follow a different, more favourable route under EU free movement rules.
- All foreign documents must be apostilled and translated by a sworn translator.
- Our Valencia team handles family reunification applications for non-EU residents and their families.
How to reunify your loved ones in Spain
Relocating to Spain often begins with one family member, and the rest of the family follows.
Spanish law provides a structured route for this through reagrupación familiar, the process behind the family reunification visa in Spain.
It allows a non-EU national who is legally resident in Spain to bring qualifying family members to live with them.
This guide explains who qualifies, what the sponsoring resident must demonstrate, and how the family reunification visa in Spain works in practice.
Two different routes depending on your status
It is essential to understand at the outset that there are two distinct family routes in Spain.
- Family of an EU or Spanish citizen. If the family member being joined is an EU or Spanish citizen, the more favourable EU free movement route applies, through the family member of an EU citizen with a residence card.
- Family of a non-EU resident. If the sponsor is a non-EU national legally resident in Spain, the reagrupación familiar route under Spanish immigration law applies.
This guide focuses on the second route, which leads to the family reunification visa in Spain for non-EU residents bringing their non-EU family members.
Who can be reunited?
The family members who can generally be brought to Spain through reagrupación familiar include:
- The spouse or registered partner of the resident, provided the relationship is genuine and not a marriage of convenience.
- Children of the resident or the spouse who are under 18, or over 18 if dependent and unable to provide for themselves due to health or disability.
- Dependent parents of the resident or the spouse who are over 65, where there are reasons justifying their residence in Spain.
- Minors or dependents for whom the resident is the legal representative.
What the sponsoring resident must demonstrate
The resident who wishes to bring their family (the reagrupante) must satisfy several conditions set out in the Reglamento de Extranjería (Real Decreto 1155/2024), in force since 20 May 2025:
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Legal residence | At least one year of legal residence, with a renewal authorised or in process |
| Adequate income | Sufficient, regular financial means to support the family, scaled to family size |
| Suitable housing | Adequate accommodation, evidenced by a housing suitability report (informe de vivienda) |
| Health cover | Health insurance or a public health entitlement for the family members |
The application process
- The resident applies for the reunification authorisation. The sponsor submits the application in Spain, demonstrating the income, housing, and residence requirements.
- The housing suitability report is obtained. A report confirming the accommodation is adequate for the family is issued by the relevant authority.
- The authorisation is granted. Once approved, the family member is authorised to apply for the entry visa.
- The family member applies for the visa. At the Spanish consulate in their country of origin, the family member applies for the family reunification visa in Spain with the apostilled and translated documents.
- Arrival and TIE. The family member travels to Spain and applies for their TIE within 30 days of arrival.
Documents required
- Proof of the family relationship: marriage certificate, birth certificates, or proof of dependency, all apostilled and translated.
- The sponsor’s proof of legal residence and income.
- The housing suitability report.
- Health cover documentation.
- Valid passports for the family members.
Our guide to apostilles and sworn translation in Spain explains the legalisation requirements for foreign documents.
Can reunited family members work?
The spouse and adult children reunited through the family reunification visa in Spain are generally permitted to work, either employed or self-employed, subject to the applicable rules, which may include the recognition of foreign qualifications for regulated professions.
This is an important benefit, as it allows the family to establish itself economically in Spain rather than depending solely on the sponsor.
Speak to our team about bringing your family to Spain
Our multilingual Valencia team handles family reunification applications for non-EU residents, coordinating the income and housing requirements, the documentation, and the consular visa process.
Email: felix.delaguia@delaguialuzon.com
Phone: +34 963 74 16 57
Address: Avinguda Regne de Valencia, 6, 1º–2º, 46005 Valencia, Spain
FAQs
How long must I have lived in Spain before applying for the family reunification visa in Spain?
Generally, you must have completed at least one year of legal residence and have authorised, or be in the process of renewing, your residence for a further year before applying for reagrupación familiar.
Can I bring my parents to Spain?
Dependent parents over 65 of the resident or the spouse can be reunited where there are reasons justifying their residence in Spain and the dependency and income requirements are met.
The requirements for parents are more demanding than for a spouse or children.
Can my reunited spouse work in Spain?
Yes.
A spouse reunited through the family reunification visa in Spain is generally permitted to work, employed or self-employed, subject to the applicable conditions.
Does this route apply if I am married to a Spanish citizen?
No.
If you are a family member of a Spanish or EU citizen, the more favourable EU free movement route applies through the family member of an EU citizen’s residence card, not reagrupación familiar.
