To join a family member in Spain, you must apply for a family reunification visa. This visa will allow you to stay and work in the country for as long as your family member lives in Spain.
Good to Know
- The application fee for a Spain family visa is €80 (excluding the residence permit).
- The official processing time is two months with the possibility of extension.
- The visa is issued to non-EU family members of non-EU residents in Spain.
- The foreign resident in Spain must have had their permit for at least a year to sponsor a family visa application.
- The family visa is valid for the same length of time as the residence permit held by the family member in Spain.
Who Can Apply for a Family Visa to Spain?
You can apply for a family visa to Spain if you are one of the following:
- A partner or spouse of a resident living in Spain with a valid residence permit.
- A minor child of a foreign resident living in Spain.
- An adult dependent child of a foreign resident living in Spain.
- A dependent parent of a foreign resident living in Spain.
For parents to qualify for a family reunification visa, they must be over the age of 65. For humanitarian reasons, in some cases, the age requirement may be waived.
To make sure you have a clear understanding of whether you can join your family member or not, consult with a team of professionals who can help you go through the process.
Family Members of Spanish/EU Citizens
Spouses/partners of Spanish citizens or other citizens of the Union living in Spain are not required to apply for a family reunification visa. They have to apply for a Schengen visa— if they’re from a country that does not have a Schengen agreement with Spain, or enter visa-free (if eligible).
Then, after entering, they must submit a residency application within three months at a local Foreigners’ Office (Oficina de Extranjería). They will then receive a Residence Card for an EU Citizen Family Member (Tarjeta de Residencia de Familiar de Ciudadano de la Unión).
How to Get a Family Reunification Visa to Spain?
To get a family visa to Spain, your family member who is already living in the country must submit a request for family reunification at one of the Foreigners’ Offices (Oficina de Extranjería) in their area of residence.
Within two months of this request’s approval, you can go ahead with the rest of the application steps from your home country at a Spanish embassy or consulate as follows:
- Fill out the Application Form. You can find the form on the website of the corresponding Spanish embassy or consulate in your country. Make sure to fill it out with the correct information, sign it at the end, and print out a copy of it.
- Schedule an Appointment. To schedule an appointment for your visa application, you have to find your submission place, which is usually a Spanish embassy/consulate or a visa application center. At times, it can also be another country’s representative, depending on where you live. Here, you can find a list of the Spanish consulates and embassies.
- Prepare the Required Documents. For your application, you must prepare several required documents such as your passport, application form, proof of paid visa fee, travel insurance, proof of relationship, and so on. You can find a detailed list of requirements below.
- Submit the Application. On the day of your appointment, you have to visit the application center in person and submit your application. You may also be asked to sit for an interview regarding your reasons for applying for a family visa. The consulate/embassy will then notify you when your application is approved, and how to proceed next.
Please note that depending on the embassy, you have to pay the visa fee on the day of your appointment. Keep in mind that the visa fee may change for some nationalities— you can find more details about the visa fees here.
Required Documents
Here are the required documents you need for a Spain family visa:
- National D visa application form.
- Your valid passport.
- Passport-sized photographs.
- Initially family reunification permit was issued by the Spanish government.
- Proof of a clear criminal record issued by every country of residence for the past 5 years.
- A medical certificate issued no later than three months before your application, showing that you are clear of any contagious diseases that can cause public health issues.
- Proof of paid visa fee.
- Documents proving your relationship with your family member in Spain:
- For spouse/partner:
- Marriage certificate issued by the competent civil registrar.
- Certificate of registration as an unmarried couple or documents proving the couple has been in a relationship before your family member moved to Spain.
- For children:
- Birth certificates issued by the competent civil registrar.
- Proof of sole custody or parental authority, in the case of a child traveling with only one parent.
- For parents:
- Birth certificate of the family member residing in Spain
- Proof that the family member in Spain has been supporting their parents in the past year by sending at least 51% of the funds per capita GDP of the parents’ country.
- For spouse/partner:
Note that all documents not in Spanish must be accompanied by a certified translation, and the embassy holds the right to ask for any additional documentation.
After Arriving
One month after entering Spain, you have to apply for your Foreigner Identity Card (tarjeta de identidad de extranjero-TIE) at a Foreigners’ Office (Oficina de Extranjería) found in your area— see here.
You will then receive your residence permit, which is a legal document showing your right of residence in Spain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Work or Study With a Family Visa?
Yes, you can work and study with a family visa while you’re staying in Spain.
Can I Apply for Permanent Residency in Spain With a Family Visa?
Yes, after living in the country continuously for 5 years, you qualify for permanent residency.
What if My Family Member Loses Their Residence Permit?
It depends on how long you’ve had your own residence permit, and whether you can prove established ties with the country, i.e., employment or children. In most cases you may be permitted to stay if you qualify for another visa, but it all depends on your specific circumstances.
What if We Get a Divorce or End the Relationship?
If you get a divorce or the relationship ends, you may continue your stay in Spain under special circumstances, depending on your situation.
If you were married or in a relationship with a foreign resident in Spain
You may switch your visa to another one to continue your stay, e.g., a work or study visa if you’re working or enrolled in a study program.
- You may be permitted to continue your stay under humanitarian circumstances if you’ve been a victim of domestic abuse.
If you were married or in a relationship with a Spanish/EU citizen, your residency is unaffected if the following apply
- You’ve been in a relationship for at least three years, and you’ve lived long enough in Spain (usually for a minimum of a year).
- You have custody of the children of your Spanish/EU spouse/partner.
- You have been a victim of domestic violence.
- You have access to or custody of your minor children still living in Spain.
Each case is reviewed individually, so it’s important to seek legal advice to understand your options and rights.
What if My Visa Is Denied?
If your family reunification visa is denied (either from abroad or within Spain), you’ll receive a notification letter with the reason for denial.
In this case, you can:
- File an administrative appeal (recurso de reposición) within 1 month
- Submit a judicial appeal (recurso contencioso-administrativo) within 2 months
If you decide to appeal, you should consult with a legal professional to help you through the process.