Bringing Elderly Parents to Spain – What the Law Allows for Foreign Residents

👵 Can You Bring Elderly Parents to Live in Spain?

Yes — but only under specific conditions, and the rules are stricter than for spouses or children.

Spain allows reunification with elderly parents (ascendientes) if you are:

  • A non-EU resident in Spain with long-term status

  • Or an EU/Spanish citizen living in Spain with sufficient means

📌 The process depends on your legal status and the dependency of your parents.


🔍 Two Paths for Bringing Parents to Spain

Sponsor’s Status Path
EU or Spanish citizen EU Family Member Card (Tarjeta de Familiar de Ciudadano de la UE)
Non-EU resident (NLV, work visa) Reagrupación Familiar for Ascendientes

🧓 Eligibility Criteria for Elderly Parents

✅ General Requirements (All cases):

  • Parents must be financially dependent on you

  • You must prove you’ve supported them for at least 12 months

  • They must be over a certain age (usually 65+; sometimes 60+ if ill or widowed)

  • You must have adequate income and housing in Spain

  • You must be living legally in Spain


💶 Income Requirements (IPREM-Based)

Family Member IPREM Requirement Approx. Annual Income
1 Parent +150% IPREM ~€12,600/year extra
2 Parents +300% IPREM ~€25,200/year extra

📌 These amounts are in addition to your own baseline requirement.


📄 Proof of Financial Dependency

This is the most critical part of the process.

Accepted Proofs Must Show
Bank transfers At least 12 consecutive months of regular support from you to their bank account
Medical expenses paid By you, directly from Spain
Utility or rent bills Covered by you
Signed affidavit of dependency Not always enough without bank proof

➡️ Occasional gifts or late transfers will be rejected.


🗂️ Required Documents

Document Notes
Parent’s passport Valid 6+ months
Your Spanish residency card or DNI Prove legal stay
Birth certificate Show parent-child relationship (apostilled + translated)
Proof of dependency 12+ months of support documentation
Housing adequacy certificate From your city hall
Private or public health insurance For both parties
Empadronamiento Proof of shared address once arrived

📍 Special Conditions for EU Citizens Sponsoring Parents

EU nationals can apply for the EU Family Member Card for their non-EU parents. You must show:

  • You’re exercising residence rights in Spain (e.g. working or self-sufficient)

  • Your parent is dependent and will live with you

  • Private health insurance may be required

📌 This path is usually easier than the non-EU route, but proof of dependency is still mandatory.


📝 Application Process Overview

🔹 If You Are a Non-EU Resident:

  1. Wait until you’ve lived in Spain for at least 1 year

  2. Apply for reunification of ascendants at Extranjería

  3. Wait for resolución favorable (1–3 months)

  4. Parent applies at Spanish consulate abroad

  5. After arrival in Spain, register empadronamiento and apply for TIE


🔹 If You Are an EU/Spanish Citizen:

  1. Gather required documents

  2. Apply in Spain for the EU Family Card at Extranjería

  3. Provide financial dependency evidence

  4. If parent is in Spain (e.g. on tourist visa), they may adjust status

  5. Receive residence permit and TIE


⏱️ Timelines

Step Timeframe
Extranjería approval 1–3 months
Consulate visa (if applicable) 4–6 weeks
TIE process 4–8 weeks

⚠️ Common Pitfalls to Avoid

  • No proof of 12+ months support → most common rejection

  • Attempting reunification before 1 year of residence (non-EU route)

  • No apostille or sworn translation on foreign documents

  • Failing to show adequate income and housing

  • Not having insurance that meets requirements for older dependents

➡️ See Article 9: Common Mistakes in Family Visa Applications


👩‍⚖️ How Borderless Lawyers Helps

Bringing elderly parents can be the most technical reunification process. We provide:

✅ Review of your eligibility
✅ Help collecting dependency proof
✅ Translations, apostilles & legalization
✅ Application filings and follow-up
✅ Support with TIE & empadronamiento after arrival

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