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Spain is a top destination for families seeking to reunite with relatives legally residing in the country. The Spain Family Visa, also known as the Family Reunification Visa, allows non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals to join family members living in Spain, providing long-term residence rights, access to essential services, and the opportunity to work in most cases.
At LawSentis, we provide full support for families navigating the reunification process, ensuring all legal requirements are met and applications proceed smoothly under 2025 regulations.
The Spain Family Visa is designed to allow close relatives of legal residents to join them for extended periods. Unlike short-stay or tourist visas, this visa grants legal residence and the ability to integrate into Spanish society. Its main purpose is to maintain family unity while ensuring dependents are financially self-sufficient, adequately housed, and covered by health insurance.
Eligible family members typically include spouses, registered partners, minor children, dependent adult children, and dependent parents. Other relatives, such as siblings or grandparents, are only considered under exceptional humanitarian circumstances, which are rarely approved and require additional scrutiny.
Spouses or legally registered partners of residents in Spain are eligible for reunification. Applicants must provide proof of marriage or registration and may need to show cohabitation or a genuine ongoing relationship. Consulates often scrutinize documentation to prevent fraudulent applications.
Minor children of the sponsor, including biological, adopted, or stepchildren, are eligible. Documentation such as birth certificates, adoption records, and custody agreements is required. Children must generally reside with the sponsor, and any school or care arrangements may be requested during the application.
Dependent adult children are typically eligible up to age 25 if they are financially dependent on the sponsor. Consulates closely examine age, dependence status, and proof of support. Documentation may include bank statements, tuition bills, or formal dependency declarations.
Dependent parents may be eligible if they are financially dependent on the sponsor and sometimes must co-reside in Spain. Proof of dependency may involve pension statements, medical reports, or evidence of support from the sponsor.
Siblings, grandparents, or other extended family members are generally not eligible. Only under rare humanitarian cases may consulates approve applications, and such approvals are exceptional.
The sponsor plays a central role in family reunification and must meet several key criteria.
The sponsor must hold a valid residence permit, work permit, or permanent residency. Some consulates may also require the permit to have at least one year remaining to ensure stability for the duration of the reunification process.
The sponsor must demonstrate sufficient financial means to support the dependents without reliance on public funds. Financial requirements are often linked to multiples of the IPREM, depending on the consulate and family size. Acceptable evidence includes employment contracts, salary slips, and tax returns. Simply having a bank balance may not be sufficient; consulates typically expect proof of stable, ongoing income, sometimes for multiple years.
Adequate housing is mandatory. The sponsor must provide proof that the home meets Spanish standards, including sufficient space, safety, and sanitation. Acceptable documentation includes property deeds, rental agreements, or municipal confirmation of residence. Inadequate accommodation is a common reason for visa refusal.
Family members must have private health insurance valid in Spain. Some consulates may specifically require coverage for COVID-19-related care, while repatriation coverage is sometimes requested but not mandatory.
A medical certificate confirming the absence of communicable diseases is also required. Consulates may request a standardised format for this certificate, particularly for applicants over certain age thresholds.
Applicants must submit a criminal record certificate from their country of origin and any country where they resided for six months or more in the past five years. Certificates must be legalized or apostilled and translated into Spanish. This ensures the applicant does not pose a risk to public safety in Spain.
While specific document requirements vary by consulate, the typical set includes:
Consulates may request additional documentation, particularly for dependent adult children or parents, or for complex family situations.
Applications are generally submitted at the Spanish consulate or embassy in the applicant’s country of legal residence. Many consulates require online pre-registration before booking appointments.
In exceptional cases, applications may be submitted from within Spain if the family member entered legally and the sponsor meets specific conditions, but approval is not guaranteed.
After obtaining the visa, family members must apply for a Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE) within 30 days. The process requires:
TIE appointment delays are common, so early booking is crucial to avoid penalties. The initial TIE is typically issued for one year and may be renewed if eligibility requirements are maintained.
The initial family visa is usually valid for one year. Renewal requires:
Continuous residence is essential to maintain renewal eligibility. Even if the sponsor changes jobs or moves residences, dependents must continue to meet all requirements. Subsequent renewals can extend permits for two years or more, depending on the sponsor’s status.
Family visa holders are generally allowed to work in Spain without additional authorization. Work must comply with Spanish labor laws and social security regulations. Both full-time and part-time employment are permitted, and income is subject to taxation and social security contributions.
Family members residing in Spain for more than 183 days per year are considered tax residents. Obligations include reporting worldwide income, paying taxes on salaries, pensions, or investment income, and adhering to double taxation agreements. Families with multiple income sources should seek professional tax advice.
Applications may be refused due to:
Careful preparation and professional guidance are essential to prevent delays or refusals.
Family visa holders can apply for long-term residence after five years of continuous residence. Time spent as a dependent on a family visa fully counts toward long-term residence eligibility. Permanent residency may be obtained once all renewal criteria are met, and Spanish citizenship may be applied for after ten years, with certain exceptions allowing shorter periods.
At LawSentis, we provide end-to-end assistance for families applying for Spain Family Visas. Our services include:
With LawSentis, families can navigate the complex reunification process efficiently, avoid common pitfalls, and focus on settling in Spain successfully.
Have questions or need more information? Our team is here to help.
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