Family Reunification in Spain 2026: Rules and Steps
A non-EU resident of Spain can bring a spouse or partner, children and, in limited cases, parents to live with them. The right belongs to the resident, who applies in Spain; the family member applies for a visa only after that authorisation is granted. This guide follows Sheet 8 of the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, written for the immigration regulation in Royal Decree 1155/2024, and the family reunification page of Spain's consulate in London, as read on 13 October 2026.
Quick answer
You can apply once you have lived in Spain for at least one year and have applied to stay for at least another year. You need adequate housing, health insurance and income of 150% of the IPREM a month for a family of two, plus 50% for each additional member. The administration decides within two months. Your relative then has two months to apply for the visa, which the consulate decides within one month. A reunited spouse, partner or working-age child may work in Spain without any further procedure.
Who this route is for
The authorisation is for relatives of foreign residents of Spain. It is not the route for family members of citizens of the EU, the European Economic Area or Switzerland, who have their own regime.
Who can be reunited
| Family member | Conditions |
|---|---|
| Spouse | Over 18. Only one spouse or partner can be reunited. After a second marriage, the dissolution of the first must be proved |
| Registered or stable partner | A partnership registered in a public register of an EU state, or an unregistered stable relationship with cohabitation of at least twelve continuous months. The cohabitation period is not required if the couple have children together |
| Children | Yours or your spouse's or partner's, under eighteen when the application is made, or older if they have a disability that requires support |
| People you legally represent | Under eighteen, or older with a disability that requires support |
| Parents | Yours or your spouse's or partner's, when they are in your care, over sixty-five and there are reasons that justify residence in Spain. Exceptionally, younger parents on humanitarian grounds |
What the resident must show
- Time in Spain: at least one year of residence, and an application to reside for at least another year. To bring parents, you must hold a long-term or EU long-term residence permit.
- Income: fixed and regular resources. For a family unit of two, the resident and one relative, 150% of the IPREM each month. For each additional member, 50% of the IPREM more.
- Housing: adequate housing.
- Health insurance for you and the relatives you bring.
- Schooling: any other dependent children of compulsory school age who are already in Spain must be attending school.
- The fee for the procedure, paid on Model 790, code 052.
What the income rule means in euros
The Spanish consulate in Washington gives the 2026 IPREM as 600€ a month. The ministry also softens the rule where children are involved: when the relatives are minors, a stable income equal to or greater than the minimum wage is considered sufficient even if the IPREM-based amount is not reached.
What the family member must show
- They are not in Spain irregularly.
- No criminal record in Spain or in the countries where they lived for the last five years.
- They do not suffer from a disease with serious public health repercussions under the International Health Regulations of 2005.
The procedure, step by step
- The resident applies in Spain, in person at the immigration office of the province where they live or online, and pays the fee within ten working days.
- The administration decides within two months. If nothing is notified in that time, the request may be understood as dismissed by administrative silence.
- The family member applies for the visa in person at the Spanish consulate where they live, within two months of the grant being notified.
- The consulate notifies its decision within one month of the visa application.
- The visa is collected in person within one month of notification.
- The family member enters Spain within one month of collecting the visa.
- They request the foreigner identity card in person within one month of entering Spain.
Documents for the visa
| Document | Detail |
|---|---|
| Passport | Minimum validity of four months |
| The initial family reunification permit | Original and a copy of the permit granted in Spain |
| The resident's card | A certified photocopy of their unexpired foreigner identity card |
| Proof of the relationship | Marriage certificate, partnership registration, or birth certificates, in the original |
| Criminal record certificate | For adults, covering the last five years |
| Medical certificate | Required |
Foreign documents must be legalised or apostilled and come with an official translation into Spanish.
Rights after arrival
The residence authorisation held by a reunited spouse, partner or child of working age enables them to work, employed or self-employed, anywhere in Spain and in any occupation, without the need for any administrative procedure.
A timeline you can plan around
| Stage | Maximum time in the ministry's sheet |
|---|---|
| Decision on the application in Spain | Two months |
| Window to apply for the visa | Two months |
| Consulate's decision on the visa | One month |
| Collecting the visa | One month |
| Entering Spain | One month |
| Requesting the identity card | One month |
Consulates can extend their own period when they ask for an interview or further documents, so treat these as the framework, not a guarantee.
Frequently asked questions
How long must I live in Spain before bringing my family?
At least one year, and you must have applied for authorisation to reside for at least another year. To bring parents you need a long-term or EU long-term residence permit.
How much income do I need for family reunification in Spain?
150% of the IPREM a month for a family unit of two, plus 50% of the IPREM for each additional member. The 2026 IPREM is 600€ a month according to the Spanish consulate in Washington.
Can I bring my parents to Spain?
Yes, if they are in your care, over sixty-five, and there are reasons that justify their residence in Spain. Younger parents can be admitted exceptionally on humanitarian grounds.
Can my unmarried partner join me in Spain?
Yes, with a partnership registered in a public register of an EU state, or proof of a stable relationship with at least twelve continuous months of cohabitation. That period is not required if you have children together.
Can my spouse work in Spain after family reunification?
Yes. The authorisation enables a reunited spouse, partner or working-age child to work as an employee or self-employed person anywhere in Spain without a further procedure.
How long does family reunification in Spain take?
The administration has two months to decide the application in Spain, and the consulate has one month to decide the visa once the family member applies.
Does this apply to family of EU citizens?
No. Family members of citizens of the EU, the European Economic Area or Switzerland fall under a different regime.
Official sources
- Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration — Sheet 8: Temporary residence by family reunification
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Consulate General in London — Family reunification visa
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Consulate in Washington — 2026 IPREM amount
All figures verified against the official pages above on 13 October 2026. The ministry's sheets are for guidance; the regulations in force when you apply are what count. Information, not legal advice.