Complete Guide to Family Reunification in Spain 2025

Guide on family reunification in Spain.

Family reunification is a fundamental right for residents in Spain, but the process has been refined with updates as of September 2025. Having precise, up-to-date information is therefore more important than ever.

Understanding family reunification in Spain for 2025

Family reunification is the procedure that allows a foreign national with legal residence in Spain (the “sponsor”) to bring certain family members to live with them. This authorization not only grants residence, but in many cases also allows the relatives to work. With the 2025 updates, new official information sheets have been published to clarify the process, although they also reinforce certain requirements that should not be overlooked.

It is essential from the outset to distinguish between two main pathways. On the one hand, the General Regime, applicable to citizens from outside the European Union. On the other, the EU Regime, for family members of citizens of the EU, the European Economic Area, or Switzerland. As we will see in this guide, the differences in the immigration requirements in Spain between both regimes are notable, and knowing them is the first step toward a successful application.

Key requirements for non-EU citizens (General Regime)

Official documents for immigration procedures in Spain.

For a non-EU citizen to start the family reunification process, they must meet a series of preliminary conditions in Spain. These requirements focus on demonstrating that they have the capacity to host and support their family in a stable manner.

Sponsor’s residence status

The applicant must have resided legally in Spain for at least one year and hold a valid residence authorization for at least one more year. This requirement demonstrates ties and stability in the country before taking on the responsibility of bringing family members.

Demonstrating sufficient financial means

One of the pillars of the process is financial capacity. For 2025, the sponsor must prove stable income that reaches 150% of the IPREM (Indicador Público de Renta de Efectos Múltiples) for a family unit of two people. From there, an additional 50% is added for each extra member. Income stability is as important as the amount, so a continuous employment or income history is usually requested. This is a critical point of the IPREM for family reunification.

Calculation of Financial Means According to the 2025 IPREM (Example)

Note: These calculations are based on an estimated IPREM value for 2025 of €600 per month. The official value may vary and must be verified at the time of application. The table illustrates how the required income increases with each additional family member.

Adequate housing requirement (“Adequate Housing Report”)

It is not enough to simply have a place to live; you must prove it is adequate. The “adequate housing report” is a document issued by the Autonomous Community or the City Council certifying that the home meets habitability conditions and has enough space for all family members. This process can take time, so it is advisable to start it in advance.

Mandatory health insurance

The sponsor must guarantee health coverage for their family. This can be done through the public healthcare system if they are entitled to it through their employment, or by taking out private health insurance that offers comprehensive coverage with no copayments, equivalent to that of the National Health System. To avoid the most common pitfalls at this stage, it is helpful to review a guide on frequent issues; you can find more information in our article on common mistakes.

Family members who can be reunited

The General Regime’s regulations are very specific about which family members can be reunited. Not all relatives are eligible, and the conditions vary depending on the type of relationship. According to the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, the main family members who can benefit from this right are:

• Spouse or registered partner: The relationship must be legally recognized, either through a marriage certificate or registration in a public civil-partnership registry. It is essential that there are no undissolved prior marital ties.
• Children of the sponsor and/or the spouse: Children under 18 can be reunited, or those over that age if they have a disability preventing them from living independently. This includes the sponsor’s own children and those of the spouse or partner, provided parental authority or custody is held.
• Dependent ascendants (parents/in-laws): This is one of the strictest scenarios. Ascendants must be over 65, economically dependent on the sponsor (which requires proof of remittances for at least the last year), and have justified reasons for granting their residence authorization in Spain.
• Other dependents in special cases: The law exceptionally contemplates the reunification of other relatives, such as minors or persons with disabilities under the legal guardianship of the sponsor, if humanitarian reasons apply. These cases are uncommon and require very strong documentary evidence. As highlighted by the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, these are the main eligible family groups.

Step-by-step application process for non-EU nationals

Family reunification process to arrive in Spain.

Once all requirements have been met, the application process follows a clear sequence involving procedures both in Spain and in the family member’s country of origin.

1. Step 1: Initial application in Spain. The sponsor starts the procedure by submitting the official EX-02 form together with all required documentation to the Immigration Office of their province. This process can be carried out online if you have a digital certificate, or in person by appointment.
2. Step 2: Decision and notification. The administration has a maximum period of 45 days to issue a decision. It is crucial to know that if no response is received within that time, the application is considered denied due to “negative administrative silence.”
3. Step 3: Visa application at the Spanish consulate. Once the application is approved in Spain, the family member has two months to personally apply for the family reunification visa at the Spanish consulate in their country of origin. They must present the favorable decision letter and their personal documentation (passport, certificates, etc.).
4. Step 4: Arrival in Spain and TIE application. With the visa granted, the family member must enter Spain within its validity period, which is usually 90 days. Once in Spain, they have one month to apply for their Foreigner Identity Card (TIE). This last step is essential to formalize their residence, and understanding the process for obtaining identity documents is key. For more details on this, you can consult our guide on the NIE.

The simplified route for EU citizens (EU Regime)

If the sponsor is a citizen of an EU country, Switzerland, or the European Economic Area, the process is notably simpler. Technically, it is not considered “reunification,” but rather the exercise of the right of an EU citizen’s family member to reside with them. The main advantage is that it is faster and has fewer requirements.

The conditions focus on two points: proving the family relationship (with a marriage, civil partnership, or birth certificate) and the EU citizen demonstrating they have financial means. This can be done by proving they are an employee or self-employed, a student with comprehensive health insurance, or that they have sufficient funds and health insurance.

The most important difference is that the non-EU family member can, in most cases, travel to Spain as a tourist and, once here, apply directly for the EU family member card (Tarjeta de Residencia de Familiar de Ciudadano de la Unión) within three months of arrival. This eliminates the need for prior authorization and applying for a visa in the country of origin, greatly speeding up the entire process. For those wishing to explore other residence and citizenship routes, our collection of guides offers comprehensive information.

Common questions and practical tips for bringing your family to Spain

The process can raise many questions. Below, we answer some of the most frequent ones with practical, verified information.

Q1: Can my family member work with the residence card for reunification?
Yes. The residence authorization granted to the spouse, registered partner, and working-age children automatically includes permission to work, both as an employee and self-employed, without the need for any additional procedure.

Q2: What happens if my financial situation changes after submitting the application?
Financial means are assessed at the time of application. However, it is essential to maintain a stable financial situation, as it will be one of the points reviewed when renewing the residence card. This is one of the key family reunification requirements 2025 to maintain over time.

Q3: How do I prove my relationship if I have a foreign marriage or birth certificate?
All foreign public documents must be duly legalized (for example, with the Hague Apostille) and, if they are not in Spanish, they must be translated by a sworn translator authorized by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Practical tip: Collecting documents is the most time-consuming phase. The housing report, legalization of certificates, and sworn translations can take months. We strongly recommend beginning to gather all documentation well before starting the formal application to avoid unexpected delays.

The value of legal advice and disclaimer

Although it is possible to manage the process independently, immigration regulations are complex and subject to change. Considering the help of a specialist lawyer can be a good decision to avoid mistakes, speed up timelines, and receive personalized guidance—especially if the case presents any complexity or has been previously denied. This advice is particularly relevant for those planning long-term settlement, a process that may culminate in citizenship. For those looking ahead, our guide on nationality 2025 offers broader context.

EspanaExtranjeria is not an official site of the Government of Spain. The information is general and educational and may contain unintentional errors or become outdated. Always verify with official sources before carrying out procedures. If you need legal advice about your case, consult a specialist lawyer. When we link to regulations or official offices, it does not imply sponsorship or endorsement by those bodies.