👨👩👧👦 Can You Bring Your Family to Spain as a Foreigner?
Yes — Spain offers several legal paths for reuniting with non-EU family members, including:
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Spouse or civil partner visas
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Children under 18
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Dependent elderly parents
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Other close relatives under exceptional conditions
But the right visa pathway depends on your residency status and the nationality of the sponsor (you).
🇪🇺 Two Main Routes for Family Reunification
| Route | Who Can Use It | Law Basis |
|---|---|---|
| EU Family Member Residency (Tarjeta de Familiar de Ciudadano de la UE) | EU citizens living in Spain (including Spaniards) | EU Directive 2004/38 |
| Non-EU Family Reunification Visa (Reagrupación Familiar) | Non-EU residents (e.g. on NLV, work visa, student visa) | Spanish national law |
➡️ We’ll explain both below.
🛂 1. EU Family Member Route (Best for Spanish/EU Nationals)
If you’re a Spanish or other EU citizen living in Spain, your non-EU family members can apply for a residence card as an EU family member. This includes:
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Spouse or registered civil partner
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Unregistered long-term partner (with proof of relationship)
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Dependent children under 21
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Elderly parents (if financially dependent)
✅ Advantages:
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Usually faster and cheaper
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Work rights granted to spouse/partner
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Renewable and convertible to permanent residency
➡️ [Full breakdown in Article 4: EU Family Member Card]
🛂 2. Non-EU Family Reunification (Reagrupación Familiar)
If you’re a non-EU resident in Spain (e.g. holding a Non-Lucrative Visa or Work Visa), you can bring your:
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Spouse or civil partner
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Minor children
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Elderly parents (under strict conditions)
🧾 Key Requirements:
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Resided in Spain at least 1 year
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Hold a residence permit renewable for at least 1 more year
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Meet IPREM-based income thresholds
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Provide certificado de vivienda adecuada (housing adequacy certificate)
➡️ [Details in Article 5: Reagrupación Familiar]
📄 Common Documents for Family Visas
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Valid passport | For sponsor and all family members |
| Birth/marriage certificates | Apostilled + translated |
| Proof of financial means | Based on IPREM multipliers |
| Empadronamiento | Certificate of address in Spain |
| Housing adequacy certificate | Issued by your city or autonomous region |
| Health insurance | Required for private or public coverage |
💸 Income Requirements (General Guide)
| Family Member | Income Needed (IPREM Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Spouse | +100% IPREM (~€8,400/year) |
| Each child | +50% IPREM (~€4,200/year) |
| Parents | Must prove full dependency |
Exact IPREM figures vary yearly — check official sources.
🗓️ How Long Does It Take?
| Step | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Application preparation | 2–4 weeks |
| Consulate decision (abroad) | 1–3 months |
| In-Spain extranjería approval | 1–2 months |
| TIE card issued | 4–8 weeks after arrival |
👶 Family Members Can Study & Work (in most cases)
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EU regime: spouses and adult children receive full work authorization
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Non-EU family reunification: work allowed once residence card is issued (TIE)
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Children may attend public or private schools regardless of visa path
📌 Which Path Is Best for You?
| Your Status | Best Option |
|---|---|
| EU citizen or Spanish national | EU Family Member Card |
| Non-EU resident (NLV, work visa) | Family Reunification Visa |
| Applying from abroad | Apply through Spanish consulate |
| Already in Spain | Apply via local extranjería |
⚖️ Not Sure Where to Start?
At Borderless Lawyers, we help expats navigate every step of Spain’s complex family visa system:
✅ Choosing the right path (EU vs Non-EU)
✅ Preparing certified & translated documents
✅ Booking appointments at the consulate or extranjería
✅ Applying for TIE and residency renewals