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:
- Get your authorization (45 days)
- Family applies at consulate (2 months)
- Move to Spain (90-day window)
- 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.
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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:
Legal Rules
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.
Legal Help
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
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.