Who can apply for family reunification and for whom
The sponsor (reagrupante) is a foreign national holding a Spanish residence permit who has lived in the country for at least one year and has had their permit renewed (or who already holds long-term residency or an EU card). EU citizens and their family members follow a different, more flexible regime — the community regime (régimen comunitario).
- Spouse or partner — from 2025, unregistered stable partnerships (pareja de hecho) are more broadly recognised, provided the relationship can be documented
- Minor children — your own and your spouse’s, including adopted children
- Adult children with a disability who are objectively unable to support themselves
- Parents of the sponsor or spouse — typically over 65 and financially dependent (money transfers must be documented)
Income requirements: calculated against the IPREM
The sponsor’s income is tied to the IPREM index (in recent years around €600 per month; the figure is revised annually — check the current value on official sources before applying).
Basic formula: 150% of IPREM per month for a family of two (sponsor + one family member joining them), plus approximately 50% of IPREM for each additional member. 2026 benchmark: around €900 net monthly income for a family of two, around €1,200 for a family of three.
Income is confirmed by an employment contract and nóminas (payslips), an autónomo declaration or other stable sources. One-off payments and unverified transfers do not count.
Housing: informe de vivienda adecuada
A separate requirement is a housing suitability report (informe de disponibilidad de vivienda adecuada), issued by the municipality or the competent body of the autonomous community. Inspectors check the floor area, number of rooms, and whether the space is adequate for the number of occupants.
The report is tied to the sponsor’s accommodation — owned or rented. In large cities, obtaining it can take several weeks, so factor that into your timeline from the start.
Documents
- Form EX-02 and copies of the sponsor’s and reunifying family members’ passports
- Proof of family ties: marriage or birth certificate with apostille and sworn translation (traducción jurada)
- Proof of income: employment contract, payslips, IRPF declaration or autónomo accounts
- Informe de vivienda adecuada (housing suitability report)
- Health insurance (if access to public healthcare is not available)
- For parents — proof of dependency: regular transfers over the past year or more
The procedure and timelines
The process works as follows: the sponsor submits an application to the Oficina de Extranjería in their province → once approved, the family member has two months to apply for a D visa at the Spanish consulate in their country of residence → they enter Spain and within one month apply for the TIE resident card.
The formal processing time is 45 days, but in busy provinces such as Madrid and Barcelona it frequently runs longer in practice. The visa at the consulate takes a further one to two months. A realistic timeline for the whole process is three to six months.
Can a reunited family member work?
Yes. A family reunification residence permit for a spouse and working-age children grants the right to work in Spain — both as an employee and self-employed — without a separate work permit. This is one of the main advantages of this basis compared, for example, to the non-lucrative visa.
Common mistakes
- Filing before the first residence permit is renewed — a year has passed, but the right to family reunification only arises with the renewed card
- Income that barely meets the formula without a buffer — borderline amounts are frequently refused
- Documents without an apostille or with an ordinary (non-certified) translation
- Expired informe de vivienda — the report has a limited validity period
- Missing the two-month window to request a visa after approval
- For parents — weak proof of dependency: a couple of transfers is not enough
Family reunification in Spain — fully managed
- Checking eligibility to apply: sponsor’s qualifying period, card status, family composition
- Income calculation based on the current IPREM and a breakdown of how to meet it in your case
- Assembling and checking the package: EX-02, apostilles, sworn translations
- Support through the informe de vivienda: where to apply and how long to wait in your province
- Booking the appointment and submitting at the Oficina de Extranjería, managing the case through to a decision
- D visa at the consulate and obtaining the TIE after entry
A legal consultation — 80 €.Credited toward the full service fee if you continue with us.
During the consultation the lawyer reviews your situation based on your documents and provides filing route: which basis, what will be needed and in what order.
Government fees, notarisation, certified translations and apostille, where required, billed separately at actual cost — we will itemise them for your situation. Processing time depends on the authority and its workload, which is why we do not publish an average figure.
Frequently asked questions
How much do you need to earn for family reunification in Spain?
The benchmark is 150% of IPREM per month for a family of two (approximately €900 net in 2026), plus around 50% of IPREM for each additional family member. IPREM is revised annually — check the exact figure before filing.
How long after relocating can you reunite your family?
After one year of legal residence in Spain and renewal of your residence permit. Holders of long-term residency and EU cards may apply earlier. EU citizens reunite their families under a separate, more flexible regime.
Can a spouse work after family reunification?
Yes, a family reunification residence permit gives the spouse and working-age children the right to work in Spain as an employee or self-employed, without a separate work permit.
Can parents be included in family reunification?
Yes, but this is the most difficult route: as a rule, parents must be over 65 and financially dependent on you — you will need to show regular financial transfers over a year or more, as well as a justification for the move.
How long does a family reunification application take to process?
Formally 45 days, but in larger provinces it takes longer in practice. Add one to two months for the type D visa at the consulate and for obtaining the TIE card after entry. A realistic end-to-end timeline is three to six months.
Verified July 29, 2026. The thresholds and amounts are tied to indicators that are reviewed annually — check the official source for your country before filing.
Services and prices — openly, before any conversation
People usually add: opening a bank account — 250 € · obtaining the tie — resident card — 200 €. Two or more services — 5% off each.
Prices are all-inclusive; 21% VAT is included.