Family Reunification

A non-EU foreign national (that is, not an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen) who holds a residence permit in Spain may apply for a family reunification residence permit for their family members, provided that they are also not citizens of the EU/EEA/Switzerland nor family members of such citizens. 

Situations concerning the sponsor

They must meet one of the following requirements:

1. Have resided in Spain for at least one year and have applied for authorisation to reside for at least one additional year.

   ℹ️ If the sponsor is renewing or modifying their current permit or is applying for a long-term permit, the family reunification permit cannot be granted until the sponsor’s current situation has been resolved. However, it is possible to apply for both permits in parallel.

   
   

2. Be the holder of a long-term or EU long-term residence permit granted in Spain.

   ℹ️ Only in this case may the sponsor apply for family reunification for their ascendants or those of their spouse or partner.
   
   *In the other two cases, the sponsor will not necessarily be able to reunify their ascendants.

   
   

3. Be resident in Spain on the basis of their previous status as an EU long-term resident in another Member State of the European Union.

   ℹ️ Once they hold a valid residence permit issued in Spain.

Situations concerning the reunified family member

1. Spouse or a person of legal age with whom the sponsor has a relationship of affection similar to marriage.

2. The children of the sponsor or the children of the spouse or registered or unregistered partner of the sponsor, provided they are:

   • Minors (-18 years), at the time of application, or

   • Adults (+18 years), who have a disability requiring support or who are objectively unable to provide for their own needs due to their state of health.
     
     

3. Persons legally represented by the sponsor, when they are:

   • Minors (-18 years), at the time of application, or

   • Adults (+18 years), who have a disability requiring support or who are objectively unable to provide for their own needs due to their state of health.
     
     

4. Ascendants, in the first degree, father or mother, of the sponsor, or the ascendants of the spouse or registered or stable partner of the sponsor, when they are dependent on them, are over 65 years of age, and there are reasons justifying the need to authorise their residence in Spain.

   🤲🏽 Exceptionally, for humanitarian reasons, ascendants under 65 years of age may be reunified.

   ⚠️ Remember that family reunification for the sponsor’s ascendants or those of their spouse or partner is only possible if the sponsor holds a long-term or EU long-term residence permit.

   
   

5. A son/daughter, of legal age (+18 years), of the sponsor or of their spouse or registered or stable partner, who is going to act in the capacity of carer for the sponsor, provided the latter has been recognised as having one of the dependency levels.

Remember that family members eligible for reunification must be outside Spain.