Family Reunification in Spain: How to Bring Your Family After 1 Year of Legal Residence
Moving to Spain is a big step, and for many people, the hardest part is being away from their family. The good news is that Spanish immigration law allows you to bring your close family members once you’ve settled and met a few key requirements. This process is called family reunification (reagrupación familiar).
If you’ve been living in Spain legally for at least one year and have already renewed your residence permit, you may be eligible to start this process
1. Who is able to apply for Family Reunification?
Who can apply?
Family reunification is available to non-EU nationals who hold a valid Spanish residence permit, such as a work permit (employed or self-employed) or a non-lucrative residence permit. The most important requirement is that you must have completed one full year of legal residence and already have your renewal approved.
Which family members can you bring?
In most cases, you can apply to reunite with:
- Your spouse or registered partner, as long as the relationship is legally recognised and ongoing
- Your children, either your own or your partner’s, as long as they are under 18
- In more limited situations, your parents (usually if they are over 65) and you children (over 18) which financially dependent on you
Each family member is assessed individually, and some cases (especially parents or adult children) require stronger justification.
What do you need to prove?
To reunite your family, Spanish authorities want to see that you are stable and settled in Spain. This mainly means three things:
First, you must show that you have enough income to support your family. The exact amount depends on how many family members you are bringing, but the income must be legal, stable, and ongoing.
Second, you need to have adequate housing. This is confirmed through an official housing report (empadronamiento) issued by your local town hall, showing that your home meets the minimum living standards.
Third, your family members must have health coverage once they arrive in Spain, either through public healthcare or private insurance.
How does the process work?
The process starts in Spain, not at the consulate. You submit the family reunification application at the Immigration Office in the province where you live. If everything is in order, the authorities issue an approval.
Once the application is approved, your family member applies for a family reunification visa at the Spanish consulate in their country of residence. After the visa is granted, they can travel to Spain and, within 30 days of arrival, apply for their TIE (residence card).
Can your family work in Spain?
Yes. One of the biggest advantages of family reunification is that once your family members receive their residence cards, they are allowed to work in Spain without needing an additional work permit.
A final word
Family reunification is not an immediate process, but with proper planning, it is absolutely achievable. The key is timing, preparation, and making sure all documents and requirements are met before applying.
If you’re approaching your first renewal or thinking about bringing your family to Spain, getting professional advice early can save you time, stress, and unnecessary refusals. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need an advise on your case.
