Family Reunification in Spain

• Who it’s for: the “Family reunification in Spain” service is for Spanish residents — third-country nationals who wish to bring spouses, children, and parents (subject to additional conditions).
• Requirements: the sponsor must hold a valid Spanish residence permit (temporary or long-term); the joining relative must have no criminal record; plus health insurance, suitable housing and sufficient income per IPREM.
• Stages: application by the resident to Immigration → if approved — family member applies for a visa at the consulate → entry into Spain → TIE card issuance.
• Timelines: immigration decision — up to 6 months; visa — up to 1 month; entry — within 3 months; TIE — appointment and biometrics within 1 month after entry.
• Pricing, € (2025): full support — €990; government/consular fees about €120.
• DIY risks: failing to meet the sponsor’s means requirement (min. 200% IPREM), missing deadlines, incomplete translations/apostilles.

Family reunification: key concepts

Family reunification is the process of bringing relatives to join you. You can use it if you hold: a non-lucrative residence, a work residence (cuenta ajena), a self-employed residence (cuenta propia) or long-term residence. The family member must not already live or be registered in Spain.

For relatives of digital-nomad or startup permit holders, a different procedure applies.

If relatives already in Spain need to regularise without status, the social roots (arraigo social) route is used.

Economic thresholds (IPREM)

The sponsor’s income must cover the family unit per IPREM. Baseline — at least 150% IPREM for a two-person family, plus +50% IPREM for each additional member. Social benefits are not counted. In some scenarios alternative formulas apply (practice varies). For reunification of minor children, the amount is reduced to 110% of the Ingreso Mínimo Vital, i.e., €10,277 for two people as of 2025.

Additional conditions for parents

The sponsor must hold long-term residence (residencia de larga duración). Parents under 80 must prove financial dependency on the Spanish resident; parents over 80 are exempt from proving dependency. If parents require constant care, reunification may be possible before long-term status, but it is challenging.

Processing times and visa validity

Service fee and related costs

Common mistakes — how to avoid them

• Insufficient IPREM-based income — we verify calculations early; for borderline cases we prepare alternative proofs.
• Procedural deadlines missed — filing too early/late (note: generally after 1 year of residence; for parents after 5 years).
• Incomplete translations/apostille — we use sworn translators and check consular requirements by country.
• Parent dependency status — lack of proven dependency under age 80 often leads to refusals.
• Unsuitable housing — we arrange the habitability certificate in advance.

What’s included in the family reunification service in Spain

1. Eligibility check — who can be reunited: spouse, minor children (incl. adopted and spouse’s children), adult children with disabilities; parents of the sponsor/spouse — subject to additional conditions.
2. Sponsor requirements audit — citizenship/residence status (permit type), clean criminal record for the joining relative, health insurance, suitable housing, and sufficient means in Spain (from 150% of IPREM, in 2025 minimum €10,800).
3. Document pack preparation — checklist, application templates, guidance on apostille and sworn translations.
4. Filing & support — booking and filing with Spanish Immigration; after approval, coordination of the family member’s consular visa; support through TIE issuance.

Step-by-step process

1. Preparation — case analysis, eligibility check, collection of documents and translations.
2. Filing in Spain — application and dossier to Immigration (per the sponsor’s place of residence).
3. Consular visa — after approval: schedule at the consulate in the family member’s country, submit documents and obtain the entry visa.
4. Entry & biometrics — enter Spain on the visa, register address, police appointment, fingerprints, and TIE card.