Who can be reunited
Relatives of Spanish citizens normally use the specific RD 1155/2024 regime; relatives of other EU/EEA/Swiss citizens use RD 240/2007. EU rules may apply where a Spanish citizen has exercised free movement. These are not one universal or necessarily faster route.
- A spouse, registered partner or evidenced stable partner. An unregistered couple normally needs at least 12 months of continuous cohabitation; that period is not required if they have children together and the relationship continues.
- Children of the sponsor or spouse or partner under 18 when applying; adult children with a disability requiring support or objectively unable to meet their needs because of their health. For one parent’s children, custody and consent to relocation require checking.
- First-degree ascendants of the sponsor or their spouse or partner, over 65, dependent on them and with reasons justifying residence in Spain. Younger ascendants may qualify exceptionally on humanitarian grounds if the other conditions are met.
- Legally represented persons: minors or adults with a disability requiring support or objectively unable to meet their needs because of health. Article 66(1)(f) also covers an adult child acting as carer where the sponsor has an officially recognised dependency degree under Ley 39/2006.
Sponsor requirements
- Generally, at least one year of residence and an application to reside for at least another year; the relative cannot be granted a permit before the required renewal. For ascendants, Spanish-granted long-term or EU long-term residence is required; reunification may be requested when applying for that status but not granted before it. Specific exceptions exist.
- Fixed, regular resources: the general article 67 rule is 150% of IPREM for the sponsor and one relative, plus 50% per additional member. Reductions may apply in specified cases involving minors; household composition, countable income and the current index need checking.
- Adequate housing certified by a municipal or regional housing report.
- Health insurance covering the incoming family members.
Steps in the procedure
- 1. Housing report: the statutory issue and notification period is one month. If delayed, other legally admissible evidence may be used with proof of the delay. The report must be no more than six months old when applying.
- 2. File form EX-02 with the 790 fee at the immigration office.
- 3. The statutory permit decision period is two months, with negative administrative silence. Article 40(1)(a) requires the visa application within two months of notifying the sponsor of the grant.
- 4. Apply at the competent consulate with article 38 documents, including a passport, medical certificate and criminal-record certificates covering countries of residence in the past five years for applicants of criminal-responsibility age. The statutory visa decision period is one month from application, article 40(3).
- 5. Enter during the visa’s validity and personally request the TIE within one month of entry. Booking an appointment and issuing the physical card are separate steps.
Documents
- Sponsor's passport and TIE, form EX-02 and the paid fee.
- Proof of family ties: marriage or birth certificates, apostilled and sworn-translated.
- Proof of income: employment contract, payslips, tax return and bank statements.
- Adequate-housing report plus a tenancy agreement or land-registry extract.
- Health insurance policy or proof of public healthcare coverage.
After arrival and the family member's rights
Initial validity follows article 68(9), depending on the sponsor’s status and with a minimum of one year. Once effective, the permit for a spouse, partner or child of working age authorises work without a separate permit. The TIE documents the status rather than creating work rights.
Over time an independent residence permit becomes possible, for instance with their own employment contract or after the relationship ends, provided the conditions are met.