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Guide

Family reunification in Spain: who you can bring and how

Sponsor requirements, eligible relatives, housing and income thresholds, documents and every step from filing to the family member's TIE.

Updated: 2026 · Reading time ≈ 9 minutes

Who can be reunited

Family members of Spanish and EU citizens follow a separate, faster EU-law route rather than the general family reunification procedure.

  • A spouse or registered partner (pareja de hecho).
  • Children under 18, and dependent adult children with a disability.
  • Dependent parents aged 65 or over (exceptionally younger).
  • Minors under the sponsor's legal guardianship.

Sponsor requirements

  • At least one year of legal residence in Spain, with a renewed permit or a renewal under way.
  • Sufficient income: roughly 150% of IPREM for a two-person household, plus 50% for each additional member.
  • Adequate housing certified by a municipal or regional housing report.
  • Health insurance covering the incoming family members.

Steps in the procedure

  • 1. Obtain the adequate-housing report (usually 1–2 months).
  • 2. File form EX-02 with the 790 fee at the immigration office.
  • 3. Decision within 3 months; once granted, the relative has 2 months to apply for the visa.
  • 4. Visa at the Spanish consulate where the relative lives.
  • 5. Entry to Spain within the visa's validity and a fingerprint (TIE) appointment within one month.

Documents

  • Sponsor's passport and TIE, form EX-02 and the paid fee.
  • Proof of family ties: marriage or birth certificates, apostilled and sworn-translated.
  • Proof of income: employment contract, payslips, tax return and bank statements.
  • Adequate-housing report plus a tenancy agreement or land-registry extract.
  • Health insurance policy or proof of public healthcare coverage.

After arrival and the family member's rights

The relative's permit is tied to the sponsor's and matches its validity. Once the TIE is issued, a spouse and adult children may work without a separate permit.

Over time an independent residence permit becomes possible, for instance with their own employment contract or after the relationship ends, provided the conditions are met.

FAQ

How long does the whole process take?
In practice 5–8 months: housing report, decision, visa and the fingerprint appointment. It varies by province and consulate.
Can the spouse work straight away?
Yes. A reunification permit lets the spouse and adult children work as employees or self-employed.
Does a registered partnership qualify?
Yes, if it is entered in an official register and cohabitation can be evidenced.
What if the application is refused?
You can appeal within one month or go to court. Refusals usually stem from income or the housing report, both of which can be fixed before reapplying.

Related services

Read next

Planning to bring your family over?

We test your income and housing against the thresholds, prepare the paperwork and run the case through to the TIE.

Informational guide. Income and document requirements vary by province and household composition.

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