If you are a legal resident in Spain and would like your family to live with you, family reunification is the legal pathway provided under Spanish immigration law to do so in a regular and secure manner.
This is a residence authorization that allows certain family members of a foreign national legally residing in Spain to obtain their own residence permit, initially linked to the status of the sponsoring family member.
⏺️ What is family reunification?
Family reunification is a temporary residence authorization granted to the family members of a foreign national legally residing in Spain, in exercise of the right to family life recognized under Spanish immigration regulations.
This authorization:
- It is applied for from within Spain, by the sponsor
- Requires a prior favorable administrative decision
- Requires the family member to apply for a visa from their country of origin
⏺️ Who can apply for family reunification?
The right to family reunification may be exercised by a foreign national who:
- Has legally resided in Spain for at least one year, and
- Has been granted a renewed residence authorization valid for at least one additional year
💡 Spanish immigration law provides for specific cases in which the right to family reunification is adapted to the administrative status of the sponsor:
– Reunification of ascendants: When the sponsor holds (or has applied for) a long-term residence permit or long-term EU residence permit in Spain, they may reunify their ascendants, or those of their spouse or registered partner, provided the applicable requirements are met.
– EU long-term residents from another Member State: Individuals residing in Spain based on their prior status as EU long-term residents in another EU Member State may exercise the right to family reunification once their residence authorization in Spain has been effectively renewed or granted.
⏺️ Which family members can be reunified?
The law establishes a closed list of family members eligible for reunification under the general regime:
- Spouse or partner
- A valid marriage or a relationship equivalent to marriage
- Only one spouse or partner may be reunified
- In the case of second or subsequent marriages, the situation of the previous marital bond must be duly documented
- Children
- Children of the sponsor or of the spouse/partner under 18 years of age
- Over 18 only where a disability prevents economic self-sufficiency
- Legally represented minors
- Where the sponsor holds parental authority, guardianship, or legal representation
- First-degree ascendants of the sponsor or of the spouse/partner
- Over 65 years of age
- Financially dependent on the sponsor and with justified reasons for residing in Spain
- Exceptionally, under 65 in cases of humanitarian grounds
💡 Family members such as siblings, nephews or nieces, adult children without dependency, or undocumented partners cannot be reunified under this procedure.
⏺️ General requirements for family reunification
In order for the application to be admitted, the following requirements must be met, among others:
- The applicant must not be an EU, EEA, or Swiss national, nor be subject to the EU family member regime. Family reunification under the general regime applies only to third-country nationals. The sponsor must not be in an irregular situation in Spain nor subject to an entry ban.
- No criminal record in Spain or in previous countries of residence.
- Proof of healthcare coverage, either through the Spanish Social Security system or private health insurance.
- No diseases with serious public health implications under the International Health Regulations (2005).
- Payment of the corresponding administrative fee.
- Proof of sufficient financial means to support the sponsor and the family members to be reunified.
- Proof of adequate housing for the family unit, accredited through the relevant administrative report (to be analyzed in a separate article).
- Compliance with the minimum residence period required of the sponsor: generally, one year of residence in Spain and a renewed permit for at least one additional year, subject to the exceptions applicable to long-term and EU long-term residents.
⏺️ Family reunification application procedure
The family reunification process consists of two clearly differentiated phases, which must be followed sequentially. It is not a single-step procedure, but a process involving both Spain and the family member’s country of origin.
Application for authorization in Spain
The process always begins in Spain and must be submitted by the sponsor, never by the family member. The application is filed with the Immigration Office of the province where the sponsor resides, preferably through electronic means. At this stage, the authorities assess compliance with all legal requirements, including residence duration, financial means, healthcare coverage, and adequate housing.
Until this authorization is expressly granted, the family member cannot carry out any consular procedures or enter Spain for reunification purposes.
Visa application by the reunified family member
Once the family reunification authorization has been granted in Spain, the second phase begins.
The family member has a maximum period of two months from notification of the approval to appear in person at the Spanish Diplomatic Mission or Consular Office corresponding to their place of residence to apply for the family reunification visa.
This visa is not automatic. The consulate will verify the submitted documentation and assess the identity and personal circumstances of the applicant.
Once the visa is granted:
- The family member must enter Spain within the visa’s validity period, which will not exceed three months.
- After entering Spain, and where the authorization exceeds six months, the family member must apply for the Foreigner Identity Card (TIE) within one month, appearing in person at the corresponding police station.
Strict compliance with both phases is essential to avoid delays, complications, or loss of the authorization.
⏺️ Duration of the reunified family member’s authorization
The residence authorization granted to the reunified family member is not independent, but directly linked to the sponsor’s immigration status.
Specifically:
- If the sponsor holds a temporary residence permit, the family member’s authorization will expire on the same date and must be renewed jointly.
- If the sponsor holds long-term or EU long-term residence, the family member’s authorization will remain valid until the expiration date of the sponsor’s Foreigner Identity Card (TIE), providing greater stability for the family unit.
Until the family member obtains an independent residence authorization, the loss, non-renewal, or termination of the sponsor’s permit may directly affect the validity of the family member’s residence.
For this reason, careful planning of renewals and of the moment when family members may qualify for an independent permit is essential to avoid situations of irregular stay.
⏺️ Can you work with a family reunification permit?
Yes. A residence authorization granted through family reunification automatically allows employment in Spain, without the need for any additional administrative procedure, provided it concerns the spouse, partner, or children of working age.
This authorization allows the holder to:
- Work as an employee in any company or sector
- Work as self-employed
- Carry out professional activity throughout Spanish territory, without geographic limitations
This right to work arises automatically once the residence authorization becomes effective, with no need to apply for a separate work permit or modify the residence status.
⏺️ Family reunification with ARC Legal
At ARC Legal, we design and manage family reunification strategies tailored to each client’s circumstances, supporting our clients throughout every stage of the process—from preparing the application in Spain to obtaining the family member’s Foreigner Identity Card (TIE).
We take care of:
- Assessing whether you meet the requirements to reunify your family member
- Preparing and filing the application with the Immigration Office
- Coordinating the consular phase and post-entry procedures in Spain
If you are considering bringing your family to Spain and want to do so with legal certainty, without errors, and without improvisation, contact our firm and let us start working on your case.
Related publications
- 2026 Guides | Residence Authorizations
- Spanish Nationality Guide
- Positive administrative silence in Spain: new DGGM guideline on EU family residence cards
¿Prefieres leer este artículo en español 🇪🇸? Aquí tienes el enlace: Autorización de residencia por reagrupación familiar | Guía 2026
The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Although we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, immigration regulations are subject to change and are subject to interpretation by the competent authorities. For personalized and up-to-date legal advice, we recommend consulting with a specialized immigration lawyer.