Family reunification visa in Spain: requirements for Americans

If you’re living in Spain and want your family to join you, the family reunification visa makes it possible. This permit allows close relatives like your spouse, children, or dependent parents to live with you legally in Spain.

In this guide, you’ll learn the key requirements, the step-by-step application process, costs, and processing times.

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Table of contents
Understanding the family reunification visa in Spain: what is it and why is it useful? Family reunification visa requirements for Americans Benefits of getting the family reunification visa in Spain How to apply for a family reunification visa as an American: step-by-step guide Costs for a family reunification visa in Spain Frequently Asked Questions

Understanding the family reunification visa in Spain: what is it and why is it useful?

The family reunification visa in Spain allows non-EU citizens who are already legal residents to bring their close relatives to live with them. Once approved, family members are granted a residence permit and, in most cases, the right to work and study in Spain.

The visa is especially important for Americans who want to build long-term lives in Spain. It ensures families can stay together while giving relatives access to education and social services in the country.

The most common reasons people apply for the family reunification visa in Spain

Families apply for this visa for several reasons, including:

• Keeping family together: Spouses and children can join the main resident in Spain
• Support for dependents: Parents over 65 or family members who rely financially on the resident can relocate
• Education opportunities: Children can attend school in Spain as legal residents
• Path to stability: A family reunification permit can eventually lead to long-term residency or permanent residency in Spain

Family reunification visa requirements for Americans

To sponsor family members under Spain’s family reunification visa, you need to already be a legal resident in the country. The visa is designed to bring close relatives together while ensuring you have the means and conditions to support them.

Here are the main requirements Americans should know.¹

Length of residence in Spain

You must have lived in Spain legally for at least 12 months and renewed your initial residence permit. Only after this renewal can you apply to bring relatives through reunification.

Eligible family members

Not every family relationship qualifies. The visa generally applies to:

• A spouse or registered partner
• Children under 18, or dependent adult children with disabilities
• Parents or parents-in-law over 65, if they’re financially dependent on you

Brothers, sisters, and other relatives are not covered by this visa.

If you’re considering other ways to bring family, such as through investment, programs like the Spain Golden Visa may also be worth exploring.

Financial requirements

You must show that you have enough income to support your family in Spain. This is measured against the IPREM (Indicador Público de Renta de Efectos Múltiples), Spain’s public income index.

As a general rule, you need to demonstrate earnings equal to at least 150% of the IPREM for one relative, with 50% added for each additional family member.

Housing conditions

Authorities will require proof that your home in Spain is suitable for your family. This usually involves a housing report from your local town hall or regional authority confirming that the accommodation meets minimum living standards.

If you’re still searching for a home, our guide on buying property in Spain explains what to expect.

Documentation

When applying, you and your relatives will need to provide official documents such as valid passports, proof of the family relationship (like marriage or birth certificates), and health and background checks for relatives over 18.

Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled, and translated into Spanish by a sworn translator if necessary.

Benefits of getting the family reunification visa in Spain

The family reunification visa provides important advantages for Americans who want their family to join them in Spain:

• Reuniting with loved ones: Live together legally with your spouse, children, or dependent parents
• Access to healthcare and education: Family members can use Spain’s public healthcare system to enroll in local schools or universities
• Right to work: In most cases, relatives who receive a residence card are also granted permission to work in Spain
• Path to long-term residency: Time spent under a family reunification permit counts toward permanent residency and, later, citizenship
• Stability for families: Relatives can settle into Spain’s everyday life, while employers often support relocations through employee benefits packages that make the move easier

Together, these benefits give families both peace of mind and a stable foundation for building their lives in Spain.

How to apply for a family reunification visa as an American: step-by-step guide

Applying for a family reunification visa in Spain involves two parts. First, the resident in Spain must apply for authorization to bring relatives, and second, the relatives must apply for the visa at a Spanish consulate in the US.

Here’s how the process works.

1. Confirm eligibility

Before you start, make sure you meet the requirements as the sponsor. You must:

• Have legally lived in Spain for at least one year
• Hold a valid, renewed residence permit
• Show sufficient income and housing to support your relatives

It’s also important to confirm that your relatives are eligible (spouse or partner, children under 18, or dependent parents over 65).

2. Apply for the family reunification authorization in Spain

The first application happens inside Spain. As the sponsor, you submit a request for Autorización de residencia por reagrupación familiar (initial residence authorization for family reunification) at your local immigration office (Oficina de Extranjería). You will need to provide:

• Proof of your residence status in Spain
• Evidence of your relationship (marriage or birth certificates)
• Housing report issued by your town hall or regional authority
• Proof of sufficient income (such as employment contracts, pay slips, or tax declarations)

The immigration office usually has 3 months to respond. If no response is given within that time, the request is considered denied (“administrative silence”).

3. Family members apply for the visa in the US

Once your authorization is approved, your family members must apply for the visa at the Spanish Consulate in the US responsible for their state of residence. They will need to submit:

• The approved family reunification authorization
• Visa application form and passport photos
• Valid passport (at least 4 months validity, with two blank pages)
• Marriage, birth, or partnership certificates proving the relationship
• Criminal background check issued by the FBI, legalized with the Hague Apostille, and translated into Spanish
• Medical certificate stating they do not suffer from diseases listed under the 2005 International Health Regulations

Visa applications must generally be submitted in person at the consulate.

4. Wait for a decision

The consulate typically takes up to 2 months to process the visa. In some cases, applications may be asked for additional documents or an in-person interview.

If approved, the visa will usually be valid for 90 days to enter Spain.²

5. Enter Spain and apply for the residence card

Once your relatives arrive in Spain, they must apply for their Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE), the foreigner’s residence card, at the local police station or immigration office. This step must be completed within 1 month of arrival.

The TIE confirms their legal residence status and, in most cases, grants the right to work and access public services in Spain.

6. Renew when necessary

The family reunification residence permit is usually tied to the sponsor’s residence permit. When you renew yours, your relatives will need to renew theirs as well.

Over time, this can count toward eligibility for long-term residence or even Spanish citizenship.

Costs for a family reunification visa in Spain

The family reunification visa has a few main expenses to plan for:

• Visa application fee: Around $140 for American citizens. Fees are set by consulates and may change quarterly³
• In Spain: Once approved, relatives must pay for their Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE), usually 12–20 EUR.⁴

Including consular fees, documents, and translations, the total cost is often a few hundred dollars per applicant.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a family reunification visa in Spain?

The process takes about 5 to 6 months. Immigration authorities in Spain review the authorization in up to 3 months, and US consulates typically take another 2 months to issue the visa.

Can I bring my brother or sister to Spain?

No. The family reunification visa only covers spouses or partners, children under 18 (or dependent adult children with disabilities), and dependent parents over 65. Siblings and other relatives are not eligible under this process.

Can digital nomads reunify their family in Spain?

Yes, but only under the digital nomad visa program. Family members of visa holders can often apply as dependents, but requirements differ from the general reunification process, so applicants should review the specific rules for digital nomad dependents.

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Applying for a family reunification visa in Spain takes time and preparation, but it’s worth it for the stability and peace of mind it provides.

Brushing up on the requirements and following each step carefully can make the process smoother and less stressful.

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Sources

1. Immigration Spain – Spain family visa requirements
2. Citizen Remote – Step 5: Collect your Visa and Travel to Spain
3. Exteriors.gob – Residence visa to reunite a family member
4. Idealista – Documents required to apply for a TIE card

Sources checked 09/12/2025