Everything You Need to Know About Applying for Spain's Family Reunification Visa

Spain’s family reunification visa, or the Tarjeta de residencia familiar, has long been one of the most sought-after residence permits in Spain. After all, what family would not want to be reunited and live together in this beautiful country? Applying for family reunification visas in Spain allows your family members to join you when you’re moving to the country, making it easier to continue your family life without having to relocate your loved ones every time you move. And that’s not all it allows you to do; it also allows you to work without restrictions, accesses the Spanish healthcare system, and more!

However, it can be difficult to figure out how to apply for this visa and the right steps to take during the process, so we’ve created this guide that will walk you through everything you need to know about applying for Spain’s family reunification visa, including how long it takes, how much it costs, and what requirements you need to meet before applying. If you have any questions or would like help applying, please leave a comment below!

What are the Family Reunification Visas?

The family reunification visa is for family members of foreigners who already have legal resident status in Spain and who wish to exercise the right to family reunification. It is the immigration procedure through which a non-European citizen with a residence permit in Spain can bring their relatives to the country; granting them a residence and work permit.

This is a legal immigration procedure that allows third-country nationals who are living in Spain with at least 1 renewal (1 year) of their residency permit (TIE), to bring their family members to live in Spain with a full residency and work permit. This visa is only available to third-country nationals and the process must be started by a family member living in Spain.

It is important to keep in mind that only those foreigners in Spain who have renewed their initial residence authorization are eligible to begin this process. This type of visa is not issued to family members of citizens of the European Union or of the Member States of the European Economic Area or of Switzerland (see “Visas for family members of EU citizens"). The family members who are eligible for this process are your parents, spouse or civil partner, parents-in-law, and your (or your spouse’s) children (putative children) under 18 years old. 

Who is Eligible for the Spain Family Reunification Visa?

Spain offers a family reunification visa for those who have a close relative living in the country. This type of visa allows you to live and work in Spain for up to one year.  Whether your family needs a visa to join you in Spain will largely depend on your circumstances.

This type of visa is not issued to family members of citizens of the European Union or of the Member States of the European Economic Area or of Switzerland.

If you hold a residence permit with a duration of at least one year, with the possibility to remain valid for another year, you are entitled to reunite with your family in Spain.

Your family members who can obtain a family reunification visa include:

• your spouse (not separated);
• your and your spouse’s children, both biological and adopted;
• your family members who are not objectively capable of caring for themselves due to their state of health, and you are their legal representative;
• and if you are a long-term resident, you and your spouse’s ascendants in the first-degree, ascendants who are dependent on the applicant and older than 65 years, where there are reasons justifying residence in Spain. Exceptionally, ascendants younger than 65, if there are humanitarian reasons for it.

Spain Family Reunification Visa Application Process

You must first apply for family reunification at the Provincial Aliens Affairs Office. If your application is successful and you get a residence permit for the purpose of family reunification in Spain, your family members can apply for a residence visa at the Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence.

Required Documents

You must prove the family relationship.

If you are reuniting with your spouse, you must prove that you do not live in Spain with another spouse. You must provide:

• a copy of their passport;
• a copy of the residence title;
• proof of employment or sufficient financial resources;
• proof of adequate accommodation; and
• health insurance.

Once the application has been granted, your relatives have just two months to go in person and apply for a visa at the Spanish embassy or consulate in their home country. They may be required to have an interview and could also need to show the following:

• Valid passport
• Proof of the family relationship, such as a marriage or birth certificate, or adoption papers
• Certificate showing ‘no criminal record’ for the past five years
• Medical certificate proving that they do not have any disease which could endanger public health

How Long Does the Family Reunification Visa Process Take?

The process of family reunification takes around 4-5 months. However, the exact period will depend on how long it takes to prepare and gather all the documentation and how long it takes to get an appointment with the immigration office. After the Spanish authorities grant the visa, the joining relative will have three months to travel to Spain with the visa.

Duration of Validity/ Visa Length

The family reunification visa will be valid for as long as the residence visa of the person they are joining. If the foreign resident applying for family reunification has a temporary residence permit, the family reunification visa is valid until the same date. Foreigner’s Identification Card (TIE).

Therefore, the duration of the residence permit granted to your family members is aligned with the duration of your permit:

• if you hold a temporary residence permit, your family member is granted a permit for a duration that cannot exceed the duration of your permit;
• if you are a permanent resident, the first resident title granted to your family member will expire on the same date as the expiry date of your Foreigner's Identification Card. The next residence permit granted shall then be permanent.

Spain Family Reunification Visa Cost

The fee for a family reunification visa will depend on your nationality. Payment methods for a Spain visa application also differ from one country to the other. In most countries, you will need to pay the fee at the consulate or visa application center, wherever you are submitting your application. The payment method will then depend on the local regulations.

Final Thoughts

Once you have your family reunification visa, you will be able to travel to Spain and reunite with your family. The visa is valid for 90 days, and during that time you can apply for a residence permit. Once you have your residence permit, you will be able to live and work in Spain indefinitely. Spanish family visas are only issued to the immediate family members of the sponsor. If you are not an immediate family member, but you would like to live or work in Spain, please see our guide on Spain Work Visas. However, visit the official website of the Spanish immigration authorities with the link below for more information.