Family reunification in Spain: requirements under the new regulations, handled online

01What it is and who it is for

Family reunification lets a foreign national who lives legally in Spain bring certain relatives who are still abroad. The person already in Spain is the sponsor (reagrupante); the relative joining them is the reunified family member (reagrupado). It is governed by articles 16 to 19 of Organic Law 4/2000 (the Immigration Act) and articles 65 to 71 of Royal Decree 1155/2024, the Immigration Regulations in force since 20 May 2025.

The process has two stages. First, the sponsor applies in Spain for a residence permit for the relative. Once granted, the relative applies for a visa at the Spanish consulate in their country, travels to Spain and collects a residence card. It does not work for relatives already in Spain without status: they need a different route, such as residence through family or social ties (arraigo).

This page covers relatives of non-EU residents. If your family member is a Spanish citizen or a citizen of another EU country, a different and more favourable system applies: see our pages on family members of Spanish citizens and of EU citizens.

02Requirements

• The sponsor must have lived legally in Spain for at least one year and have applied to renew for at least another year. The relative's permit is only granted once that renewal has been decided.
• Parents can only be brought by a long-term resident, from the moment long-term residence is held or applied for (article 18.1 of Organic Law 4/2000), and EU long-term residents from another member state do not need to wait a year.
• Eligible relatives: a spouse aged 18 or over who is not separated; an unmarried partner aged 18 or over, either registered in an EU country or in a stable relationship with at least twelve months of living together (not required if you have children together).
• Children of the sponsor or of their spouse or partner who are under 18 on the date of the application, or adults with a disability needing support or unable to support themselves for health reasons. For a child of only one partner, sole custody or the other parent's consent is needed.
• Parents of the sponsor or of the spouse or partner, if they depend on the sponsor, are over 65 and there are reasons justifying residence in Spain. Under 65 only on humanitarian grounds.
• An adult child coming to care for the sponsor, where the sponsor has an officially recognised level of dependency.
• Stable, regular income: 150% of IPREM per month for a household of two (€900 in 2026) plus 50% (€300) for each additional person. Three people need €1,200; four need €1,500. Income of a spouse or partner and of direct relatives living with you as residents can be added.
• Suitable housing, shown by a report from the regional government or town council issued within the last six months.
• Health insurance covering the sponsor and the relatives.
• School-age children already in Spain must be in school, the sponsor must have no criminal record in Spain, and the fee must be paid.

Tick what you already have. Your ticks stay on this device only; nothing is sent to us.

03Documents

• Form EX-02 signed by the sponsor.
• The sponsor's full passport and residence card (TIE, the foreigner's identity card).
• Proof of income: employment contract and last six months of payslips plus latest tax return for employees; self-employment registration and tax returns for the self-employed; bank certificates or other evidence if not working.
• Housing report, or substitute evidence plus proof that you requested it if it is not issued within a month.
• Signed statement that you do not live in Spain with another spouse or partner, when bringing a spouse or partner.
• Health insurance for everyone.
• The relative's full passport.
• Marriage certificate, partnership registration or evidence of the relationship; children's birth certificates; custody orders or the other parent's consent where needed.
• For parents: proof you have sent money or paid their expenses over the last year and of the reasons for their move.
• Proof of payment of the fee on form 790 code 052.
• Foreign documents legalised or apostilled and with a sworn translation into Spanish.

Tick what you already have. Your ticks stay on this device only; nothing is sent to us.

04How we handle it online

1. Initial assessment

   We review your permit, recent income, housing and family relationship. We tell you whether you can apply now or what is missing, and calculate the exact income needed for your household.

2. Housing report and documents

   We explain how to request the housing report from your region or council and which documents from abroad you need, with legalisation or apostille and translation.

3. Online filing

   As your representatives, we file the EX-02 application with the immigration office for your province through the Mercurio platform.

4. Follow-up

   We monitor the file and answer any request for documents in time. If no decision arrives within two months, we assess an appeal.

5. Visa at the consulate

   Once the permit is granted, we help your relative prepare the visa application, which must be lodged at the consulate within two months of notification.

6. Arrival and card

   When your relative arrives in Spain, we guide them through applying for the TIE within one month and plan future renewals.

05Timescales and validity

The immigration office must decide within two months. If it does not reply, the application is treated as refused (negative administrative silence) and can be appealed. The law requires these files to be given priority.

Once the permit is granted, the relative has two months from notification to apply for the visa. The consulate must decide within one month. According to the Ministry, the visa must be collected within a month and the relative must travel to Spain within a month. After arrival, they apply for the TIE within one month.

The relative's permit lasts until the same date as the sponsor's permit at the time of entry, with a minimum of one year. Renewal is requested in the two months before expiry or the three months after, and the renewed permit lasts four years. Spouses, partners and children of working age may work from day one with no further formalities.

06Do I need to attend anything in person?

07Common mistakes and reasons for refusal

• Applying before completing one year of residence or before applying for renewal.
• Miscalculating income: leaving out family members or relying on irregular or undeclared earnings.
• A housing report older than six months, or more occupants than the property allows.
• Documents from abroad without an apostille or sworn translation.
• For parents, failing to prove financial dependency and the reasons for coming to Spain.
• Missing the two-month window to apply for the visa after approval.

08Frequently asked questions

09Legal basis

• Organic Law 4/2000, articles 16 to 19
• Royal Decree 1155/2024, articles 65 to 71 (family reunification)
• Royal Decree 1155/2024, articles 38 and 40 (reunification visa)
• Royal Decree 1155/2024, article 196 (dependent relatives and humanitarian grounds)
• Directive 2003/86/EC on the right to family reunification

Information reviewed on 03.10.2026 against the law in force. This page is for general information and is not a substitute for advice on your own case.