Family reunification in Spain: spouse, procedure and conditions

Who can invite a spouse and under what regime?

The term "family reunification" in Spanish law is a narrow term: it is the right of a foreign resident to move a family under articles 65 to 70 of RD 1155/2024, and article 65 defines this as: permission is granted to a person who has been allowed to live in Spain because of the right to reunification enjoyed by a resident alien. [1]The laws are different for the rest of the family.

If you have arrived at the DNV, the reunification under the general RD 1155/2024 is not your way: the holder ’s family is registered under article 62.4. family on DNVIII. Ways for other categories are described in the articles regime on reunification and on the map of a member of the family of an EU citizen.

Conditions for the inviteer

An application for reunification may be made when the invitee has lived in Spain for at least one year and requests a minimum of one year ’s authorization. [1]Family permits are not issued until the permit of the resident is renewed [1].

Article 67 requires the invitee to confirm:

• Regular resources. Income, rent or other periodic income of 150 per cent of IPREM for a family of two (resident and one family member) and 50 per cent of IPREM for each of the following: total to retention, with a proportional share of the additional payments, net profit income from business activities. Together. [1]IPREM is 600 a month and 7,200 a year according to SEPE [4]If you read 150 percent and 50 percent of the monthly value, you get 900 me per month for two and 300 me for each of the next three. This is an arithmetical version: the way the agency compares with "annual" and "monthly" numbers in documents does not explain in open sources.
• It's a good place. The definition is taken from article 3 (c) Ley 12/2023, but if the local housing authorities ’ requirements are stricter, apply them. The report does not link the agency but can only deviate from it with motivation. [1].
• Health insurance for the inviteer and all members of the family [1].
• If the person who invites other minor children is of compulsory school age, they must be enrolled in school [1].
• No threat to public order: Checking Spanish criminal records and police reports; the mere fact that a criminal record does not automatically lead to a refusal [1].
• Payed fee for procedure [1].

Conditions for the spouse

A spouse is a person over 18 years of age who is not separated, de facto or legally, and whose marriage is not in breach of the law; no more than one spouse can be brought in even if personal law permits polygamy; if the person is married for the second or subsequent time, he must show that the previous marriage has been dissolved by a procedure that has resolved the issues of housing, pensions and maintenance. (art. 66.1 (a)) [1].

A partner without marriage is accepted in two cases: a couple is registered in the public register of the EU State and the record is not cancelled or a stable couple is proven: a life of marriage similar to that of a married person, not less than 12 consecutive months, within or outside Spain. If a couple has a common child, a prior period is not necessary. Marriage, a registered couple and an unregistered stable couple do not combine (art. 66.1 (b)) [1]III. The choice of form in detail: marriage or pareja de hechoThe invitee also applies (declaración responsable) for a non-resident of another spouse or partner in Spain [1].

Step order: from application to TIE

1. Check the terms and collect the documents of the inviteer. Official form completed, full copy of passport, proof of income, suitable housing documents, declaration of absence of another spouse and insurance (art. 68.3 (a)) [1].
2. Get the husband's papers. Full passport and communication document: marriage certificate or couple document [1]The certificate shall be in the original, with apostille and a jury, if necessary.
3. The pitch. The applicant applies in person to the OFICINA de Extranjeria, where he lives; while in Spain, the electronic submission is considered personal (art. 197.1). The requirement for an electronic application under art. [1].
4. Decision. Two months from submission, silence means refusal. Priority: If the requirements are met, the decision to reunite is taken but suspended until the visa is granted and entry into force. [1].
5. Visa. The spouse applies for a visa to the consulate within two months of the date of the invitation, with the original marriage documents. [1].
6. Entry. It should be held within a month [1].
7. TIE. For permission longer than six months, card is requested personally within one month of entry [1]The first card shall be valid at the time of entry, but not less than one year. [1].

What's the visa consulate doing?

The consulate checks the general requirements of article 38 RD 1155/2024: completed form, valid passport with a reserve of at least one year, no criminal record in the countries of residence for the last five years for the adult, visa fees and medical certificate of absence of diseases of public health significance [1]For citizens of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine, this usually means a certificate of indecentness from the countries of residence and documents with apostilles and translations; you can see the exact list at the consulate. What is apostille? and Certificate of Independency from Russia with Apostille.

The list of documents and the order of the writing to the consulate differ, so look at the page of your consulate: Spanish consulates where to deliver.

Work, independent permit and divorce

The authorization to reunite allows the spouse and partner to work independently in any industry without additional procedures, provided that the age of employment is specified (art. 65.2) [1]After one year of reunification, the spouse may obtain an independent permit if he has his own means, is eligible for a self-employed permit or meets the conditions of employment without a labour market check. [1].

If a couple divorces or ends, the spouse retains the right to apply within six months of the date of the divorce or the decision to cancel the registration of the couple. [1]I would like to elaborate on this: divorce and residence permit.

Typical Errors

• Regimes are being run and reunified when the inviteor holds permission for Ley 14/2013 or EU citizen [1][3].
• They serve before the inviteee has lived a year and asks for permission for another year. [1].
• Take housing report over six months: it is accepted only as fresh. [1].
• Consider income without the rules of Article 67: amounts are taken to retention and from self-employed persons on net profit [1].
• Two months to apply for a visa after notification [1].
• The marriage documents are not in order: apostille, translation, and a match of names.
• Forget the statement that there is no other spouse or partner in Spain [1].
• Buy a ticket without waiting for a visa: the permit only comes into force after the visa and entry into force [1].

When Individual Review Is Needed

A divorce is required in remarriage, in single-law couples, in mixed income, where income depends on multiple sources, in the case of a child of only one spouse, in case of discrepancies in the documents.

What can we help you with?

The NEXO team in Barcelona is preparing a reunion scheme: choice of regime, verification of the terms of the invitee, list of documents for both spouses, preparation of the Oficina de Extranjería package and escort until the decision is reached. The legal part is run by the team's lawyer, the administrative gendarme. The fees and translations are paid separately. The company is not responsible for the timing of the responses. ConsultationIII. Service page: family; the general course of the family by steps: Family questionnaire; after relocation: Residence permit in Barcelona.

Frequent issues

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The source is viewed on 02.10.2026 · NEXO · Drafting Draft · Sources do not replace individual legal advice.