10 Common Mistakes When Applying for Spain’s Family Visas — And How to Avoid Them

⚠️ Applying for a Family Visa in Spain? Read This First

Family reunification and spouse visas can seem “easier” than other immigration routes — but many applications are delayed or rejected due to avoidable mistakes.

Whether you’re bringing a spouse, partner, child, or parent, here are the 10 most common problems applicants face — and how to avoid them.

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❌ 1. Missing Apostille or Sworn Translation

Foreign marriage, birth, and custody documents must be:

• Apostilled (or legalized if non-Hague)

• Sworn translated into Spanish (traducción jurada)

🛑 Regular or online translations will be rejected.

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❌ 2. Not Meeting Cohabitation Requirements for Pareja de Hecho

Each region has different rules for civil partnership registration. Common errors:

• Not living together for long enough (e.g. 1–2 years)

• No shared empadronamiento

• Failing to register with the official registry or Notary

📌 Solution: Confirm local rules before starting the PdH process.

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❌ 3. Applying Too Early for Family Reunification

If you hold an NLV, work visa, or student permit, you cannot apply for reunification until you’ve lived legally in Spain for 1 full year.

🛑 Applying early will result in automatic rejection.

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❌ 4. Weak Proof of Financial Dependency (for Parents)

The most common reason parent reunification is denied:

• Irregular or low-value money transfers

• No documented support over 12 months

• Lack of bank records in the parent’s name

✅ You must show regular financial support, not just one-time gifts.

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❌ 5. Booking the Wrong Appointment Type

Extranjería and consulates have very specific categories:

• Choose Tarjeta de Familiar de Comunitario, not just Residencia

• For TIE, choose Toma de huellas (fingerprints), not Información

🛂 Wrong bookings cause delays of 1–2 months or more.

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❌ 6. Failing to Register Empadronamiento

The padron (census registration) is required to:

• Prove cohabitation with your sponsor

• Apply for your TIE card

• Enroll children in school

🛑 Skipping this step invalidates your residence process.

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❌ 7. No Housing Certificate for Reagrupación Familiar

Many cities require a housing adequacy certificate from your Ayuntamiento. Common issues:

• Old or expired certificate

• Incomplete documents (missing floor plan or lease)

• Applying before the certificate is issued

📌 Always request this early — processing can take 2–4 weeks.

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❌ 8. Incorrect Insurance Coverage

If you’re required to show private insurance:

• It must cover 100% of medical costs

• No deductibles or co-payments

• No exclusions for age or pre-existing conditions

🛑 Many cheap online plans do not meet Spanish legal standards.

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❌ 9. Thinking Tourist Visas Are Enough

You cannot apply for long-term reunification visas from within Spain on a tourist visa (unless you’re applying for EU Family Card under certain exceptions).

🛑 Make sure to follow the correct country of origin > consulate process if required.

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❌ 10. Delaying the TIE Application After Arrival

After your family member arrives in Spain:

• You have 30 days to register padron

• Then apply for the TIE card (residence)

💡 If you miss this window, your visa may lapse — and you’ll need to start over.

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✅ Summary: Quick Checklist to Avoid Mistakes

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👨‍⚖️ Need Help? Borderless Lawyers Has You Covered

Our team of Spanish immigration lawyers helps clients:

• Fix rejected or delayed family visa applications

• Prepare error-free, complete documentation

• Handle complex cases (unregistered partners, custody issues, parents)

• Assist with padron, insurance, and TIE steps