Spain Family Reunification
Reunite with your family in Spain by sponsoring their residence permit.
For: Family members of legal residents in Spain.Estimated Timeline
4-8 months
The Application Process
Step by step, from start to approval.
Authorization Request
The sponsor (the family member already legally living in Spain) files the family-reunification request at their local Oficina de Extranjería. This is a Spain-side procedure: the family abroad doesn't act yet.
- Sponsor must hold a residence permit that's been renewed at least once, or a long-term EU residence permit. Initial-permit holders generally have to wait until first renewal before sponsoring.
- Sponsor must show net income of around 150% IPREM for themselves plus 50% IPREM per joining family member (rules vary slightly by region).
- An informe de vivienda (housing report) issued by the local town hall must confirm adequate accommodation for the whole family.
- Apostilled and sworn-translated proof of the family relationship: marriage, civil partnership, or birth certificates.
Authorization Decision
Extranjería has up to 45 days to decide. If the case is approved, you receive a positive resolution that's communicated to the consulate covering the family's country of residence. Silence is treated as a refusal.
- Approval is valid for 2 months: the family must apply at the consulate within that window or the file lapses.
- If denied, the sponsor has 1 month to file an administrative appeal.
- The most common denial reasons are insufficient sponsor income, an inadequate housing report, or the sponsor not meeting the prior-residence threshold.
Consular Visa
Once authorization is granted, the family applies at the Spanish consulate in their country of residence. The visa is a single-entry visa valid for 90 days that lets them travel to Spain.
- Each family member submits original passports, the apostilled civil documents, a recent medical certificate, and biometric photos.
- Children over 12 are usually fingerprinted at the consulate; minors under that age are included on a parent's file.
- Consular fee is approximately €80 per applicant.
- Visa decisions typically take 1 to 2 months from the consular appointment.
TIE Application
Family members enter Spain within the visa's 90-day window. Within 30 days of arrival, each one books a fingerprint appointment at a National Police station to obtain the Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE).
- Register the family at the town hall (empadronamiento) before booking the police appointment.
- Each TIE costs €16.08 (Modelo 790-012).
- TIEs are valid for the same length as the sponsor's permit, with a maximum of 5 years initially. After 5 years, family members can apply for an independent residence permit.
- Reunified spouses and adult children can apply for independent work permits once they have the TIE.
Core Requirements
What you need to qualify for this visa.
Sponsor must hold a valid residence permit (renewed at least once, or with an initial permit for over 1 year)
Proof of family relationship (marriage/birth certificates, apostilled and translated)
Sponsor must demonstrate adequate financial means to support dependents
Adequate housing certified by a local report (informe de vivienda)
Health insurance covering all family members
Do You Qualify?
Answer a few quick questions to see if you meet the key requirements for this visa.
Do you have a close family member (spouse, child, or parent) who is a legal resident in Spain?
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