Spain Family Reunification Visa Guide 2024

published on 24 October 2024

Want to bring your family to Spain? Here's what you need to know in 2024:

Quick Facts:

  • Cost: €80 per application
  • Processing time: 4-6 months total
  • Must live in Spain: 1 year minimum
  • Who can come: Spouse, kids under 18, parents over 65

Key Income Requirements:

Family Size Monthly Income Needed
You + 1 person €1,200
You + 2 people €1,500
You + 3 people €1,800

Main Steps:

  1. Get your authorization (45 days)
  2. Family applies at consulate (2 months)
  3. Move to Spain (90-day window)
  4. Get ID cards (30 days after arrival)

Documents You'll Need:

  • Your valid residence permit
  • Family passports
  • Marriage/birth certificates
  • Income proof
  • Housing documents
  • Health insurance

Got an EU Blue Card? You can skip the one-year waiting period and apply right away.

This guide walks you through every step - from checking if you qualify to getting your family settled in Spain. Let's get started.

Who Can Apply

Spain's immigration rules let specific family members join you in Spain. Let's break down who can apply and what you need:

Sponsor Status Family Members What You Need
Non-EU Resident - Spouse/Partner
- Kids under 18
- Parents over 65
- Spanish residence permit
- Money to support family
- Big enough home
EU Blue Card Holder Same family members Can apply right away
Long-term EU Resident Same family members Must switch permit to Spain

What You Need as a Sponsor

You'll need these things to bring your family:

  • A valid Spanish residence permit
  • 1 year of living in Spain
  • Approved permit for year 2
  • Enough money to support your family
  • A home big enough for everyone
  • Health insurance

"Spain lets you bring your spouse or partner, kids under 18, and parents who depend on you." - Raffaele T., Spanish immigration law expert

Which Family Members Can Come

Who Must Have Extra Info
Spouse/Partner - Marriage papers
- Living together
Can work once approved
Kids - Under 18
- Birth certificate
Special rules for disabled adult kids
Parents - Over 65
- Need your support
Some exceptions for special cases

A few more things to know:

  • Adult kids with disabilities can come (with medical proof)
  • Some parents under 65 might qualify in special cases
  • Partners must show they live like a married couple

Need help? Check out Find My Lawyer to connect with immigration lawyers who speak English and know Spanish law.

Main Requirements

Here's what you need to know about bringing your family to Spain:

Residence Status Rules

You'll need the right permit before starting the process:

Permit Type Waiting Period Special Notes
Standard Residence Permit 1 year + renewal approved Must show valid permit
EU Blue Card No wait needed Can apply immediately
EU Long-term Resident No wait needed Must transfer permit to Spain

Time in Spain Required

The basic rule? You need to live in Spain for 12 months first:

Status Required Time Additional Requirements
Regular Residents 12 months Must have renewal approved
Parents (over 65) 12 months Show financial support history
Spouse/Children 12 months Prove family relationship

Money Requirements

Here's how much money you need to show:

Family Size Monthly Income Yearly Income
Individual + 1 person €1,200 €14,400
Individual + 2 people €1,500 €18,000
Individual + 3 people €1,800 €21,600

Here's What You Need to Know About Money:

  • You must earn 150% of IPREM (€900/month in 2023)
  • Add €300/month for each extra family member
  • Your income source must be steady
  • You'll need bank statements from the last 12 months

Different Rules for Different Cases:

  • Got kids under 18? Requirements drop if you make minimum wage (€1,080/month)
  • Bringing parents over 65? Show proof you've sent them money for a year
  • Have disabled adult children? Different income rules apply with medical documents

Not sure about your specific case? Find My Lawyer can match you with immigration experts who know these rules.

How to Apply

Here's what you need to know about the application process in Spain:

First Steps for Sponsors

Want to bring your family to Spain? Here's your step-by-step guide:

Step What to Do What You'll Need
1. Book Appointment Set up your visit at Immigration - Your ID/Passport
2. Submit Forms Fill out EX-02 Form - Your residence permit
- Passport copies
3. Prove Housing Get city hall papers - Housing docs
- Proof you own/rent
4. Show Income Prove you can support family - Last 12 months of bank info
- Your work contract

Family Member Applications

After you get the green light, here's what your family needs:

What to Submit Details Extra Info
Passport Must be less than 10 years old We need every page
Photos New passport photos White background only
Family Docs Marriage/birth certificates Must be translated
Health Insurance Spanish coverage Private policy needed
Fee €80 each person Pay at the consulate

Wait Times and Costs

Here's what to expect:

What Happens How Long What It Costs
Office Review 45 days Free
Consulate Work 2 months €80/person
Start to Finish Up to 5 months Depends on case

Remember These Points:

  • Show up in person with your papers
  • Keep your tracking code safe
  • Family gets 2 months to visit consulate after you're approved
  • Busy times might mean longer waits

Need a lawyer? Check out Find My Lawyer to connect with immigration pros who know family cases inside and out.

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Money Requirements

Here's what you need to know about income for your Spanish visa:

Income Rules

You'll need more money if you're bringing family members. Here's the breakdown:

Family Size Monthly Income Yearly Income
Main Applicant €2,400 €28,800
+1 Dependent €3,000 €36,000
+2 Dependents €4,200 €50,400
+3 Dependents €4,800 €57,600

These numbers come from Spain's IPREM (€600/month in 2024). You need 400% IPREM, plus 100% for each family member you bring.

Show Your Money

Here's what documents you'll need based on how you make money:

Income Source Required Documents Notes
Employment - Last 12 months' payslips
- Work contract
- Tax returns
Must show steady income
Self-employed - Business registration
- Tax declarations
- Bank statements
Need proof of regular earnings
Investments - Investment certificates
- Property deeds
- Rental income proof
Assets must generate income
Pensions - Pension statements
- Bank transfers
- Official pension letters
Must be regular payments

Prove Your Work Status

Different jobs = different paperwork:

Employment Type What to Submit Processing Time
Full-time Employee - Social Security registration
- Employer letter
- Last 3 pay stubs
2-3 weeks
Business Owner - Company registration
- Tax ID number
- Business bank statements
3-4 weeks
Freelancer - Self-employed registration
- Client contracts
- Income declarations
3-4 weeks

Here's what matters:

  • Save your bank statements for 12 months
  • Get Spanish translations for ALL documents
  • Show your income is regular
  • Just having money in the bank won't cut it

Need help getting your paperwork right? Find My Lawyer connects you with experts who know exactly what Spanish officials look for in visa applications.

Getting legal help doesn't need to be complicated. Here's what you need to know:

Service Type What They Handle Typical Timeline
Full-Service Law Firms - Complete visa application process
- Document preparation
- Translation services
- Appeals for rejected applications
2-3 months
Immigration Specialists - Initial consultation
- Document review
- Application submission
- Follow-up with authorities
1-2 months
Healthcare Support - Medical certificate help
- Health insurance guidance
- Healthcare system navigation
1-2 weeks

Here's what you should know about the process:

The basic visa application costs €80. Most applications take 2-3 months to process. Many firms won't charge for your first meeting. Just make sure your lawyer is registered with the Spanish immigration board.

"Sandra Faura was wonderful to work with. She was honest, very responsive, and extremely helpful. We found their portal to be easy to use also to keep it all organized. We received our Digital Nomad visa without even needing clarification." - Eric N., Lexidy client

Find My Lawyer

Find My Lawyer

Need help? Find My Lawyer connects you with experts who know their stuff:

Expert Type Services Languages
Immigration Lawyers - Visa applications
- Document preparation
- Legal representation
English, Spanish
Accountants - Income proof
- Financial documentation
- Tax compliance
English, Spanish
Legal Advisors - Application review
- Process guidance
- Appeals support
English, Spanish

The platform makes it easy to:

  • Find verified professionals
  • Pick experts based on location and skills
  • Read what other clients say
  • Message securely
  • Track your application

Here's what others say about working with these experts:

"Thank you so much Sandra Faura and Lexidy for making the process super smooth in obtaining my residence card for EU family members!" - Laura, Lexidy client

"Lexidy took care of my tax and other legal+financial paperwork while I worked as a freelancer in Barcelona. Throughout the process they were very helpful and responsive." - Rohit Kumar, Lexidy client

Summary

Here's what you need to know about Spain's family reunification visa in 2024:

Requirement Details Timeline
Residency Status Must live in Spain 1+ year Already completed
Authorization Need approval for 2nd year Before application
Eligible Family Spouse, kids under 18, parents 65+ Current rules
Base Cost €80 visa fee At application
Processing Time 4-6 months total From submission

Changes might happen in 2024:

Area Current Rule What's Coming
Processing Time 4-6 months Could drop to 2-3 months
Document Requirements Basic set More health checks possible
Income Proof Standard forms New digital system
Application Method In-person only Online options coming

Here's your action plan:

1. Get Your Papers Ready

You'll need:

  • Valid passports
  • Family relationship proof
  • Income documents
  • Health certificates

2. Plan Your Schedule

Here's what happens when:

Step When What to Know
Submit Authorization 2-3 months before visa First step
Apply for Visa 2-month window After authorization
Move to Spain 90-day window After visa approval
Get ID Card 30 days after arrival Final step

3. Stay on Track

  • Check application status often
  • Keep document copies handy
  • Book travel after approval
  • Get ID card once in Spain

Remember: Start early. Each step has its own timeline, and missing deadlines can mean starting over.

FAQs

How long does it take to get a family reunification visa in Spain?

The process takes about 6 months from start to finish. Here's the breakdown:

Stage Timeline What Happens
Immigration Office Review 45 days They check your application first
Consulate Processing 2-3 months They handle visa details
Document Prep 2-4 weeks You gather paperwork
ID Card Processing 30 days Final step after arrival

Which documents are required for a Spain family visa?

You'll need these documents:

Document What You Need
Visa Application Fill out Spain's national visa form
Passport Current and not expired
Photos New passport-style pictures
Family Permit Your authorization paper
Residency Card From your family member in Spain
Relationship Proof Birth or marriage papers
Criminal Record Clean background check

Can I bring my parents permanently to Spain?

Here's what you need to bring your parents:

Must Have Details
Age Parents: 65+ years old
Your Status You: 5+ years in Spain
Care Needs Show they depend on you
Housing Enough space for everyone
Insurance Private health coverage

If you live in Spain, you start the process. The Immigration Office aims to review applications within 45 days.

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