How to bring your family through Family Reunification residency in Spain.
The following is a guide on how to obtain Spanish residency through Family Reunification in 2024.
Many foreign citizens legally reside and work in Spain, many who came alone, leaving their family members, such as children or spouses, in their home countries.
Preserving the right to live with family is fundamental, and it’s a key aspect of any migration policy.
For such situations, both the Law and the Immigration Regulation provide an authorization for bringing your family members, known as Family Reunification.
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In this post we cover the following: (click any section to see its content)
How to bring your family to spain and obtain them residency through family reunification, with the ability to work in spain, in some cases:
- WHAT TYPE OF AUTHORIZATION IS FAMILY REUNIFICATION? »
- REQUIREMENTS FOR FAMILY REUNIFICATION »
- ECONOMIC MEANS FOR FAMILY REUNIFICATION: »
- DOCUMENTATION FOR FAMILY REUNIFICATION »
- APPLYING FOR FAMILY REUNIFICATION »
- HOW TO APPLY FOR FAMILY REUNIFICATION? »
- CAN I WORK WITH THE FAMILY REUNIFICATION CARD? »
- RENEWAL OF THE FAMILY REUNIFICATION CARD »
- FAQ ABOUT FAMILY REUNIFICATION »
- ALL TYPES OF RESIDENCY AVAILABLE IN SPAIN »
- SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A SOLICITOR »
FAMILY REUNIFICATION AUTHORIZATION:
Family Reunification it is a temporary residence authorization granted to the family members of foreigners residing in Spain, based on the right to family reunification.
REQUIREMENTS FOR FAMILY REUNIFICATION:
- Not being a citizen of a European Union, European Economic Area, or Switzerland, or a family member of citizens to whom the Union citizen regime applies
- Not being irregularly in Spanish territory
- Having no criminal record in Spain and in previous countries of residence for offenses under Spanish law
- Not being prohibited from entering Spain and not being listed as rejectable in the territorial space of countries with which Spain has a signed agreement to that effect
- Having health coverage through Social Security or having private health insurance
- Not suffering from diseases that could have serious public health repercussions according to the International Health Regulations of 2005
- Not being within the commitment period not to return to Spain, if applicable, that the foreigner assumed when voluntarily returning to their country of origin
- Having sufficient economic means to meet the family’s needs. Income provided by the spouse or another first-degree relative residing in Spain who lives with the sponsor can be considered. Income from social assistance is not considered
ECONOMIC MEANS FOR FAMILY REUNIFICATION:
- For family units with two members (sponsor and reunited family member), a monthly amount of 150% of the IPREM is required, which in 2024 amounts to 900 euros.
- For each additional family member, 50% of the IPREM must be added, meaning 300 euros in 2024.
- The required amount may be reduced in certain cases, considering the best interests of the child, as established by the Organic Law 1/1996, for the Legal Protection of Minors, and other legal and regulatory requirements for granting family reunification
- Having suitable housing.
The sponsor must have resided in Spain for a minimum of one year and have obtained authorization to reside for at least another year. To reunify ascendants, the sponsor must hold a long-term or long-term-UE residence authorization.
The reunited family members can be:
- Spouse or person with whom the sponsor has a relationship analogous to marital. In no case can more than one spouse or partner be reunified. Marriage and an analogous relationship are incompatible. In case of being married or being a partner for the second or subsequent time, the resolution that establishes the situation of the previous spouse and their relatives regarding common housing, alimony to the previous spouse or partner, and children must be proven.
- Children of the sponsor and spouse or partner, including adopted ones (provided the adoption has effects in Spain), under 18 years old or disabled who are not objectively capable of providing for their own needs due to their health. If the child is a child of one of the spouses or partners, they must exercise parental authority alone or have been granted custody and effectively care for the child.
Legally represented by the sponsor, under 18 years old or disabled and not objectively capable of providing for their own needs due to their health.First-degree ascendant of the sponsor residing long-term or long-term-UE, or of their spouse or partner, when they are in their care, over 65 years old, and there are justifiable reasons for authorizing residence in Spain.
Documentation must prove that the sponsor has transferred funds or supported expenses of the ascendant by at least 51% of the per capita gross domestic product, annually, of the country of residence, during the last year. - Family reunification may also be granted for humanitarian reasons for an ascendant under 65 years of age, especially if the ascendant lived with the sponsor in the country of origin or if they are incapable and under the guardianship of the sponsor or their spouse or partner.
DOCUMENTATION FOR FAMILY REUNIFICATION:
One of the most frequently asked questions we receive is: What documents do I need to prepare to process Family Reunification in Spain?
The documentation you need to collect and prepare to submit this request includes:
- Completed and signed pre-report request form
- Copy of the complete passport, travel document, or valid registration certificate of the sponsor
- Certified copy of documentation proving that the sponsor has employment and/or sufficient economic resources to meet the family’s needs
- In the case of employed activity: Copy of the employment contract, and if applicable, the latest income tax return
- In the case of self-employed activity: Proof of the activity carried out and, if applicable, the latest income tax return
- If no lucrative activity is carried out in Spain: Certified checks, traveler’s checks, or payment letters or credit cards, accompanied by a bank certification of the available amount as credit on the mentioned card or bank certification
- Documentary evidence of having suitable housing, including a report issued by the competent body of the Autonomous Community of the sponsor’s residence The report may be issued by the Local Corporation when established by the Autonomous Community. If the report is not issued and notified within thirty days from the date of the request, the requirement can be justified by any means of proof admitted in Law
- Copy of the complete and valid passport or travel document of the reunited family member
- Copy of documentation proving family or kinship ties or the existence of the de facto union, and additionally:
– In the case of reuniting with a spouse or partner: Sworn statement by the sponsor not residing with another spouse or partner in Spain. If married for the second or subsequent time, a court resolution establishing the situation of the previous spouse and their children must be provided
– In the case of children: If reunified by a single parent, documentation proving that the sponsor exercises parental authority alone, has custody, or that the other parent authorizes their residence in Spain. If they are over 18 and not objectively capable of providing for their own needs, supporting documentation is required. If they are adopted, the resolution approving the adoption must be provide
– In the case of those represented by the sponsor: If they are over eighteen years old and not objectively capable of providing for their own needs, supporting documentation is required - – In the case of reuniting with ascendants: Documentation proving that the sponsor has transferred funds or supported expenses of the ascendant during the last year of residence in Spain. Documentation proving the reasons justifying the need to authorize residence in Spain. If applicable, documentation proving humanitarian reasons justifying the authorization
- Documentation proving access to health care
Important note:
When submitting documents from other countries, they must be translated into Spanish or the co-official language of the territory where the request is made.
APPLYING FOR FAMILY REUNIFICATION:
The Residence Authorization for Family Reunification must be processed at the Immigration Office of your residence.
The application can be submitted through a legal representative, to use our legal services; click-here »
HOW TO APPLY FOR FAMILY REUNIFICATION? :
Until recently, it was necessary to personally go to the Immigration Office, schedule an appointment, and attend on the designated day and time to submit the documentation.
With the arrival of Covid-19, an alternative application method became necessary, through online submission. It is now possible to apply for Family Reunification via the internet, applications can be made electronically.
Once the Immigration Office is aware of your application, it has a legal deadline of 45 days to process and respond to your request. If, after this period, you have not received any news about your application, it may be considered rejected, due to administrative silence.
At this point, keep in mind that some offices may take a bit longer to process this type of permit, depending on their workload.
If you use our legal services for the application, we monitor and control your application, you can check its status online.
CAN I WORK WITH THE FAMILY REUNIFICATION CARD?:
The residence authorization for family reunification, held by the spouse, partner, and working-age children, does permit work for others or for oneself anywhere in the national territory in any occupation and any sector, without the need for any administrative procedure.
The validity of the authorization for the reunited family member will extend until the same date as the authorization held by the sponsor at the time of the family member’s entry into Spain.
RENEWAL OF THE FAMILY REUNIFICATION CARD:
Like any other residence and work permit in Spain, it is necessary to renew it when it is close to expiration.
You can renew your permit:
- Within the 60 days prior to the card’s expiration
- Within the 90 days after the card’s expiration (note that a financial penalty may be imposed for late submission)
If you want to know all the requirements to renew your family reunification card, contact-here ».
FAQ ABOUT FAMILY REUNIFICATION:
- WHAT DOES FAMILY REUNIFICATION MEAN?
Family reunification is a temporary residence permit that may be granted to the relatives of foreigners residing in Spain, pursuant to the right to family reunification. - WHERE DO I APPLY FOR FAMILY REUNIFICATION?
You must process the Residence Authorization for Family Reunification at the Immigration Office corresponding to your place of residence.
You must submit the application yourself or through your legal representative or voluntary representative. - WHAT DOCUMENTATION DO I NEED TO PROCESS FAMILY REUNIFICATION?
This specific residency application depends very much on your personal circumstances and your personal requirements.
Your application can be made by using our legal services, click-here » to start your application today.
ALL TYPES OF RESIDENCY AVAILABLE IN SPAIN:
- Golden-Visa Spain (Spain citizenship by investment)
- Non-Lucrative visa Spain (Spain visa non lucrative)
- Self-Employed visa Spain (self employed expats in Spain)
- Digital-Nomad visa Spain (remote worker in Spain)
Please see-here our video-blog with options and legal-advice to obtain residency in Spain.
Remember that immigration procedures and immigration regulations change regularly, so it’s crucial to stay updated with the latest information from reliable sources. If you have specific questions or concerns about your situation, it’s advisable to consult with immigration authorities or legal professionals specializing in immigration matters, to do this, please click-here »
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We are a Spanish Solicitor and assist our clients with all types Spanish legal processes.
Permanent residency is obtained after 5 years of Spanish Residency through Self-Employed Residency, Digital-Nomad, Non-Lucrative Residency or Golden-Visa. This followed by 5 years as a permanent resident in Spain and means you can then obtain Spanish Citizenship with a Spanish Passport.
