The sponsor already resides in Spain
The sponsor is the foreign national residing in Spain who exercises the right to bring one or more family members to live with them.
Reviewed on 19 August 2026
Family reunification in Spain
A guide for foreign nationals legally residing in Spain who want to bring certain family members to live with them. Find out who is eligible, the financial means and housing requirements, and information about EX-02, documents, visas and the steps that follow.
Information sheet 8
EX-02
Royal Decree 1155/2024
EX-02 Application form
150 % IPREM for two people
2 months Decision deadline
790-052 Procedure fee
First, identify who already resides in Spain. This guide explains family reunification exercised by a foreign resident . If the family member on whom your right is based is a Spanish citizen or a citizen of the EU/EEA or Switzerland, or if your case concerns arraigo familiar (a family-based residence route), you should check a different procedure.
Overview
What is family reunification?
It is a temporary residence authorization that allows a foreign national residing in Spain to apply for residence for certain family members who meet the conditions set out in the regulations.
The authorization is applied for first
The procedure begins in Spain with form EX-02. The family member applies for a visa after a positive decision has been issued.
There are family and material requirements
In addition to the family relationship, the authorities check financial means, housing, healthcare coverage and any other applicable requirements.
Article 66 of the Regulations
Which family members can be brought to Spain?
Not just any family member can be included in a family reunification application. The regulations specify which family relationships qualify for this route.
Spouse
A spouse over 18 years of age, provided there is no de facto or legal separation and the marriage was not entered into in circumvention of the law.
Registered or unmarried partner
This may be a registered partner or an unregistered stable relationship that can be duly proven.
As a general rule, an unregistered stable relationship requires at least 12 months of continuous cohabitation, unless the couple has a child together.Children
Children of the sponsor or of their spouse or partner who are under 18 years of age.
This may also include certain adult children with disabilities or who are objectively unable to meet their own needs due to their health.People under legal representation
Certain minors or adults with disabilities or who are objectively unable to meet their own needs, where the legal representation meets the prescribed conditions.
Parents and other first-degree ascendants
They must be dependent on the sponsor, normally be over 65 years of age, and there must be reasons justifying the need to authorize their residence in Spain.
In exceptional circumstances, ascendants under 65 years of age may be accepted on humanitarian grounds.Adult child who will act as a caregiver
The Regulations include the sponsor’s adult son or daughter, or that of their spouse or partner, if they will act as a caregiver and the sponsor has been formally recognized as having a degree of dependency.
Before submitting your application
Family reunification requirements
1
The sponsor’s prior residence. As a general rule, the sponsor must have lived in Spain for at least one year and have applied for authorization to reside for at least one further year.
2
Sufficient financial resources. These must be fixed and regular and sufficient to support the sponsor and their family.
3
Adequate housing. This must be demonstrated through the report or documentation accepted under the regulations.
4
Health coverage. The family unit must meet the applicable health insurance or healthcare coverage requirement.
5
School enrolment. If the sponsor already has other dependent minors of compulsory school age in Spain, they must be enrolled in school.
6
Criminal records and security. The requirements relating to criminal records, public order, security and public health must be met.
7
Compatible immigration status. Under the standard procedure, the family member being sponsored must not be in Spain without regular immigration status.
8
Payment of the fee. The application is subject to the applicable fee under Form 790-052.
Financial resources
How much money do you need to prove you have?
The benchmark is calculated using the IPREM in force when the application is submitted. It is therefore better to work with percentages rather than a fixed amount in euros.
150 % of the IPREM
Sponsor + one family member.
+50 % of the IPREM
For each additional member.
Minors special rules
The required amount may be reduced in certain cases involving minors or dependants.
Household of two members including one minor: the regulations provide for a specific rule based on 110 % of the guaranteed annual amount of the Minimum Living Income, with an additional 10 % for each further minor, where applicable.
Housing report
How to prove that the accommodation is suitable
Report from the competent authority
This requirement is usually met by submitting a report from the relevant services of the autonomous community or, where applicable, the local authority.
One-month deadline
If the report has not been issued and notified within the specified period, you may prove that the accommodation is suitable by other accepted means of evidence, provided you can show that you requested the report.
Maximum age
The housing report or substitute documentation must comply with the maximum age limit set by the regulations, which is currently six months on the date of submission.
Prepare your application file
Documents required to apply for family reunification
Form EX-02 duly completed and signed by the sponsor.
The sponsor’s full passport or valid travel document.
Proof of employment and/or sufficient financial resources .
Report or proof of suitable accommodation.
The relevant health insurance or coverage .
The family member’s full passport.
Documents proving the family relationship, partnership, legal representation or dependency , as applicable.
Foreign documents: a sworn translation and legalisation or Hague Apostille may be required, unless an exemption applies.
First stage
How to apply for family reunification
1
Make sure this is the right route
Understand the differences between ordinary family reunification, family members of Spanish citizens, the EU regime and arraigo familiar (the family-based residence route).
2
Prepare form EX-02
The initial application must be submitted by the foreign resident sponsoring the family reunification or their representative.
3
Prove you meet the financial, housing and relationship requirements
Attach the general documents and those specific to the family member.
4
Submit your application to the Immigration Office or through Mercurio
You can submit it to the competent Immigration Office or online.
5
Pay the 790-052 fee
Information Sheet 8 currently lists section 2.1.2 for the initial family reunification authorization.
6
Wait for the decision
The official maximum decision period for the authorization is two months.
2 months Decision deadline
Refusal Administrative silence
10 working days Time limit stated for paying the fee
After approval
Approval does not bring the procedure to an end
If the family member is outside Spain, they must apply for the relevant visa after the authorization is granted.
Apply for the visa
The family member has two months from notification of the favorable decision on the authorization to submit the visa application.
Consular decision
The consular office has the maximum period provided for to issue a decision and, where applicable, issue the visa.
Collect the visa
After notification that the visa has been granted, it must be collected within the established period.
Enter Spain
Once the visa has been collected, the family member must enter Spain within the prescribed period.
Apply for the TIE
After entering Spain, you must apply in person for the Foreigner Identity Card (TIE).
Effects of residence
Does family reunification allow you to work?
Spouse, partner and working-age children
The authorization granted to these family members allows them to work as employees or self-employed persons anywhere in Spain, in any occupation or sector, without needing to complete any additional administrative procedure.
Length of the authorization
As a general rule, the authorization remains valid until the same date as the authorization held by the sponsoring resident when the family member enters Spain, subject to a minimum period of one year .
As the expiry date approaches
View the official renewal guidance Renewal has its own requirements
Do not automatically apply the requirements for the initial application. The Immigration Office provides a specific guidance sheet 10 for renewing residence based on family reunification.
Avoid applying under the wrong procedure
Family reunification, family member of a Spanish citizen or arraigo familiar
Family reunification
EX-02
The person exercising the right is a foreign national residing in Spain.
Family member of a Spanish citizen
EX-24
If your qualifying family relationship is with a Spanish citizen, a different, specific regime applies.
View family members of Spanish citizens → Arraigo familiar (family-based residence route)
Exceptional circumstances
It is currently limited to very specific family situations and does not replace standard family reunification.
View arraigo familiar →
Official sources
Legislation and sources
Personal circumstances may affect which documents you need to submit. Always check the current official information for your case.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about family reunification
Which form is used for family reunification?
The form for the initial temporary residence authorization based on family reunification is Form EX-02.
How long do I need to have lived in Spain before I can sponsor a family member?
As a general rule, the sponsor must have been legally resident in Spain for at least one year and must have applied for authorization to reside for at least one further year. Special cases apply.
How much money do I need to sponsor a family member?
For a household of two—the sponsor and one family member—the general benchmark is 150 % of the IPREM. An additional 50 % of the IPREM is added for each further household member. Specific reduction rules apply in certain cases involving children.
Can I sponsor my partner if we are not married?
This may be possible if you are in a registered partnership or can duly prove an unregistered stable relationship. As a general rule, the latter requires proof of at least twelve consecutive months of living together, except in certain cases where you have children together.
Can I sponsor my parents?
Certain first-degree ascendants may be sponsored if they are dependent on the sponsor, are normally over 65 years old, and there are reasons justifying the need for them to reside in Spain. Exceptional cases based on humanitarian grounds apply to those under 65.
How long does family reunification authorization take?
The current official maximum processing time for an authorization application is two months. If it is approved, the family member can then begin the visa application stage.
What happens if there is no response after two months?
The regulations provide for a negative decision by administrative silence for the initial family reunification application. No response should not be interpreted as approval.
Does family reunification allow me to work?
The authorization granted to a spouse, registered partner or child of working age allows them to work as an employee or self-employed without applying for an additional work authorization.
Can I apply for family reunification if my family member is Spanish?
If your right of residence is based on your relationship with a Spanish citizen, you should first check the specific temporary residence scheme for family members of Spanish citizens, which uses form EX-24.
Before submitting form EX-02
See Information Sheet 8 Check eligible family members, income and housing
Family reunification is not based on family ties alone. It is advisable to check all the requirements before starting the application process.