Comparative Guide: Immigration Authorisations Based on Family Ties

In this publication, we offer an overview of the different immigration authorisations that can be applied for on the basis of family ties. These options are aimed at relatives of Spanish citizens, citizens of the European Union (EU/EEA/Switzerland) and non-EU foreign nationals who hold a residence authorisation in Spain or are in the process of obtaining one.

⭐️ The New Extraordinary Roots-Based Permit

We have included in this guide the recent authorisation for extraordinary roots-based residence (arraigo), approved by the Spanish Government, which opens an important route to regularisation for people who are currently in an irregular administrative situation in Spanish territory. Our two previous publications delve into the features of this authorisation. We invite you to consult them if you think this procedure may be useful for your case or that of someone close to you. It is important to remember that the application deadline ends on the 30th of June 2026.

🔍 Focus

The aim of this article is to provide a quick comparison tool. For this reason, we have not broken down every requirement for each procedure. Instead, we highlight the key factors for understanding who each authorisation is intended for.

🚋 Traam

At Traam, we manage all the authorisations mentioned below in a comprehensive manner. Above the title of each section, you will find a direct link to the specific service page, where the requirements and the documentation that must be provided are explained in detail. Likewise, each page includes a frequently asked questions (FAQ) section to resolve the most common doubts.

For any additional enquiries, our team is entirely at your disposal via the "Contact" section of our website.

🧩 Comparison

⭐️ Extraordinary Roots (Arraigo) Residence

Applicant and/or beneficiary: Non-EU foreign national in an irregular situation since before 1 January 2026 and with continuous residence in Spain for five months before the application is submitted.

Status and place of submission: Always in an irregular situation and before the Foreign Nationals Office in Spain.

Relative that gives entitlement: Non-EU foreign national regularised in Spain or simultaneously in the process of being regularised through extraordinary roots-based residence.

Relationship of the applicant to this relative:

• Spouse or registered partner of the foreign national who has been regularised or is in the process of being regularised.

• Father/mother of the foreign national who has been regularised or is in the process of being regularised.

• Minor children and adult children with disabilities of the foreign national who has been regularised or is in the process of being regularised.

🏠 Social Roots (Arraigo) Residence

Applicant and/or beneficiary: Non-EU foreign national in an irregular situation with residence in Spain for at least two years.

Status and place of submission: Always in an irregular situation and before the Foreign Nationals Office in Spain.

Relative that gives entitlement: Non-EU foreign national regularised in Spain (with a residence authorisation).

Relationship of the applicant to this relative:

• Spouse or registered de facto partner of the foreign national who has been regularised.

• Father/mother of the foreign national who has been regularised.

• Children of the foreign national who has been regularised.

🧑‍🧑‍🧒 Family Roots (Arraigo) Residence

Applicant and/or beneficiary: Non-EU foreign national in an irregular situation with no minimum period of residence.

Status and place of submission: Always in an irregular situation and before the Foreign Nationals Office in Spain.

Relative that gives entitlement: Minor foreign national to a citizen of an EU, EEA or Swiss country (not Spain). Foreign national with a disability who is a national of an EU, EEA or Swiss country (not Spain).

Relationship of the applicant to this relative:

• Father/mother/guardian of the minor.

• Person providing support to a person with a disability, who is a national of an EU, EEA or Swiss country (not Spain).

🫂 Family Reunification

Applicant and/or beneficiary: The applicant will be the non-EU foreign national holding a residence authorisation in Spain. The beneficiary of this authorisation will be the reunified family member who is outside Spain.

Status and place of submission: The sponsor must submit the application to the Foreign Nationals Office in Spain. However, the reunified family member must be abroad.

Relative that gives entitlement: Non-EU foreign national holding a residence authorisation in Spain.

Relationship of the applicant to this relative:

• Spouse or registered or stable partner of the sponsor.

• Children or represented persons, under 18, of the sponsor or of the sponsor's spouse or partner.

• Children or represented persons, over 18 with a disability, of the sponsor or of the sponsor's spouse or partner.

• First-degree ascendants (father/mother) of the sponsor or of their registered or stable spouse or partner, when they are dependent, or if the sponsor is over 65 years of age.

• Adult child of the sponsor or of their registered or stable spouse or partner who acts as carer for the sponsor.

🇪🇸 Relatives of Spanish citizens

Applicant and/or beneficiary: The applicant may be either of the two, the Spanish citizen or the family member of the Spanish citizen who wishes to reside in Spain. The beneficiary will always be the family member of the Spanish citizen, who will be a non-EU foreign national wishing to reside in Spain.

Status and place of submission:

• In any case (a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h and i): The applicant may be the Spanish citizen and must apply before the Foreign Nationals Office from Spain, when the beneficiary is abroad.

• The applicant may be the beneficiary (family member of the Spanish citizen) and may apply at the Spanish consulate from abroad, when both are abroad.

• In most cases (a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h): Both may also apply, both the Spanish citizen and the family member of the Spanish citizen, before the Foreign Nationals Office in Spain, when both are in Spain, and the beneficiary is in a regular situation.

Relative that gives entitlement: Spanish citizen.

Relationship of the applicant to this relative:

1. Spouse of the Spanish citizen.

2. Registered partner of the Spanish citizen.

3. Stable partner of the Spanish citizen.

4. Children, under 26 years old, or over 26 years old with disabilities, of the Spanish citizen.

5. Father/mother of the Spanish citizen or of their spouse or registered or stable partner, when they are dependent or there are humanitarian reasons.

6. Father/mother/guardian of a minor under 18 years of age who is a Spanish national and is the child of the Spanish citizen, when they have the minor in their care and live with them, or are up to date with parental obligations.

7. A single family member, up to the second degree, who carries out or will carry out the care required by a person of Spanish nationality who has been recognised as having one of the levels of dependency.

8. Children whose father or mother are or were Spanish by origin.

9. Other members of their family, not included in the previous sections, who are dependent on the Spanish citizen.

🇪🇺 Residence Card for a Family Member of an EU Citizen

Applicant and/or beneficiary: Non-EU foreign national, family member of the European citizen.

Status and place of submission: In a regular situation before the Foreign Nationals Office in Spain.

Relative that gives entitlement: European citizen (other than Spanish), EEA (Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland) and Switzerland, in an employed, self-employed, non-lucrative or student capacity.

Relationship of the applicant to this relative:

• Spouse or registered or stable partner.

• Child, under 21 years old or over 21 years old with a disability, of the European citizen or of their spouse or partner.

• Any family member who in the country of origin is dependent on or lives with the European citizen. 

• Any family member who, for serious health or disability reasons, needs the European citizen to support them. 

• Parents of the European citizen or of their spouse or their registered de facto partner, who live at their expense. 

⚠️ If the European citizen is a student, they will not be able to reunite their parents.

🎓 Stay for Study (Student)

Applicant and/or beneficiary: The applicant may be the student foreign national themselves or the family member. The beneficiary will always be the non-EU foreign national (the student's family member) who wishes to accompany them or join them in Spain for the duration of their studies.

Status and place of submission: It can be applied for simultaneously with the student's visa/authorisation or at any later time during the validity of the stay for study purposes.

• Before the Spanish Diplomatic Mission or Consular Office, if the beneficiary is abroad.

• Before the Foreign Nationals Office in Spain, if the beneficiary is already in Spanish territory in a regular situation (for example, within their period of stay as a tourist).

Relative that gives entitlement: Non-EU foreign national holding a stay authorisation for studies, research, training or internships in Spain (or in the simultaneous process of obtaining one).

Relationship of the applicant to this relative:

• Spouse or registered de facto partner of the student.

• Children under 18 years of age of the student or of their spouse or partner.

• Children over 18 years of age with a disability of the student or of their spouse or partner, who are not objectively capable of meeting their own needs because of their health condition.