Family reunification
For individuals legally residing in Spain who wish to bring their spouse, children, or dependent ascendants to the country.
Specification reviewed on . Scope : Spain.
Required documents
The list below is exhaustive. Each document is described as it must be submitted, including the most common errors that lead to rejection.
Identity
Form EX-02
Official EX-02 form for an application for a temporary residence permit for family reunification, completed and signed by the sponsor. A separate application must be submitted for each person to be reunified.
Common errors
- Single application submitted for multiple beneficiaries.
- Form signed by the beneficiary instead of the sponsor.
Residence permit of the sponsor
Copy of the valid residence permit. The sponsor must prove one full year of legal residence and have applied for the renewal of their permit for an additional year. The family reunification authorisation cannot be issued until this renewal has actually been granted.
Common errors
- Application submitted while the renewal has only been requested and not yet granted, which blocks the issuance without the case being rejected.
- Confusion between the date of issue and the effective date of the permit.
Beneficiary's passport
Full copy of the valid passport of the person to be reunified.
Common errors
- Insufficient remaining validity to cover the duration of the procedure, which frequently exceeds six months.
Proof of family relationship
Marriage certificate, birth certificate or proof of registered partnership, apostilled and accompanied by a sworn translation into Spanish. For children, the age limit is set at under eighteen years on the date of application. The thresholds of twenty-one or twenty-six years sometimes mentioned fall under a different regime, applicable to family members of a Spanish or EU national.
Common errors
- Application of the twenty-one-year age limit, which does not apply to this procedure.
- Marriage certificate not apostilled for Algerian documents issued from 9 July 2026.
- Uncertified translation instead of a sworn translation.
Resources
Proof of resources for the household
Resources assessed over the previous six months, with a prospect of continuity for the following year. The required amounts, calculated by reference to the 2026 IPREM of 600 euros, are 150% for a two-person household, i.e. 900 euros per month, 200% for three people, i.e. 1,200 euros, 250% for four people, i.e. 1,500 euros, and 300% for five people, i.e. 1,800 euros.
Common errors
- Resources proven for a single month rather than for six months.
- Lack of proof establishing the foreseeable continuity of resources.
- Calculation based on the number of people to be reunited instead of the total number of people in the household.
Proof of employment status
Employment contract and payslips for the last six months, or proof of self-employed activity and corresponding declarations.
Common errors
- Fixed-term contract expiring during the processing period, without proof of continuity of resources.
Accommodation
Housing adequacy report
Report issued by the Autonomous Community, the application for which is usually submitted to the town hall, certifying that the housing is suitable for the number of people who will occupy it. The issuance period is one month. If it is not issued within this period, a notarial act may be substituted. The report is valid for six months. This report is a procedural document and cannot be appealed. An unfavourable report requires rectifying the identified issue and then submitting a new application.
Common errors
- Report requested too late, as the one-month processing time is added to the overall procedure time.
- Report expired at the time of the decision, as its validity is six months.
- Number of occupants declared without including the individuals to be reunified.
Title of occupancy of the accommodation
Title deed or lease agreement in the sponsor's name, accompanied by recent proofs of payment.
Common errors
- Lease in the name of a third party housing the sponsor.
- Unformalised verbal lease.
Other documents
Criminal record certificate of the adult beneficiary
For any person to be reunified aged eighteen or over: a certificate issued by the authorities of the country of residence, apostilled and translated.
Common errors
- Document omitted for a dependent ascendant.
- Consular legalisation instead of an apostille for Algerian documents issued from 9 July 2026.
Proof of payment of tasa 790-052
Form 790, code 052, epígrafe 2.1.2, in the amount of 10.94 euros. The amount of 10.72 euros still circulated on some websites is no longer current.
Common errors
- Incorrect epígrafe.
- Payment made before submission when the tax is to be paid upon instruction from the administration.
Timeframes
The procedure has two stages. The authorisation is requested in Spain by the sponsor, with a two-month resolution period; administrative silence is equivalent to a refusal. The person being reunited then has two months to apply for the visa at the consulate, which decides within one month. Additionally, there is one month to collect the visa, one month to enter Spain, and then one month to apply for the residence card. Sources differ on the entry deadline, with the official information sheet stating one month and several practices three months. The information on the visa sticker is authoritative.
Official taxes
Tax 790-052, epígrafe 2.1.2: 10.94 euros. The amount of 10.72 euros still being circulated is no longer current. National visa: 80 euros per person to be reunited. Residence card (TIE), tax 790-012: 16.08 euros per person.
Have your situation reviewed
Having the list does not indicate whether your situation will lead to a successful outcome. The questionnaire takes a few minutes and an adviser will send you a written opinion within one working day, whether your application is admissible or not.