Family reunification in Spain: what regime is right for the family

Family reunification in Spain: four regimes and how to distinguish them

The word "reunification" covers any family move, but it has a narrow meaning in the law. Reagrupación familiar, under article 65 of the regulations: permission is granted to a relative who was brought by a resident alien. [1]For the rest of the situation, the law creates separate roads, and there is no general "settling package".

Two reservations: for the family of an EU citizen, the EX-19 page of the Policy calls silence a waiver (desstimatorio) and Regulation 240/2007 says the card is issued within three months [2][7]We don't know how this works in practice, so the silence on the map is not to be considered as consent, and the second is that a Spaniard who lived in another EU country and returned may be in a situation where EU law applies. We don't take this branch apart, it's decided by fact.

How to define your regime: five questions in order

Start with the person the family is going to, and the questions go in this order, because every next one makes sense only when you answer the previous one.

1. What a nationality the invitee has. Spanish: see Articles 93-99, other EU, EEA or Switzerland: Real Decreto 240/2007. [1][2].
2. What status does he have in Spain? Normal residence (work, no lucrativa, study with residence): reagrupación. Leave for Ley 14/2013: Article 62.4. [1][3].
3. How long has he lived in Spain? Regrupación requires a year of residence and a request for extension for another year. [1].
4. Who exactly are you bringing in? The composition of the family allowed in each regime is different, see the table below.
5. Where the participants are. Delivery from Spain is possible as an exception and conditions depend on the regime [1].

If the applicant has a change of nationality or status (e.g. a change of basis application), the answer depends on the date of submission and the particular facts; the pattern does not need to be chosen here; the general procedure for changing the ground is discussed in a separate article on change of basis of residence permit.

Who can be brought in: family composition by regime

The Spanish family is considering the article in detail. Residence permit for a relative of a Spanish citizen, family of an EU citizen article map of a relative of an EU citizen, parents of the resident article Parental reunificationResident spouse: :: Step-by-step reunificationFor a couple without marriage, there is a separate matter in Catalonia, see. Pareja de hecho in Catalonia and residence permit.

What a Inviter Needs and What a Family Need

The resident alien has the longest list of conditions: Article 67 of the regulations transfers regular funds (150% IPREM for the inviteer and one family member and 50% for each next), suitable housing with local social services not exceeding six months, health insurance for all, no threat to public order and paid fees [1]For children, the threshold of funds may be reduced to take into account the interests of the child [1]If the inviteee has other minor children of school age in Spain, they must go to school [1].

The Spanish family has no legal requirements for income and housing, but requires a communication document, a copy of the Spanish passport or DNI, a statement that he is not living with another spouse or partner in Spain, and a five-year certificate of non-judiciality for an adult alien in the country of residence if the application is not from Spain. [1][5]I. Free procedure [1][5].

The family of an EU citizen has a centre of gravity: it must be confirmed that the EU citizen himself has the right to live in Spain, such as work, self-employment, sufficient funds and insurance or insurance studies. [2].

Foreign documents (marriage, birth certificate) are required in original, apostille or legal and jury translation [4][5]III. The procedure is dealt with in the articles on apostilles and legalizations and on the juror translation.

Modalities and time frames

For reagrupación, the scheme is: the invitee applies for EX-02 form to the OFICINA de Extranjería (two offices are operating in Barcelona), the decision comes in two months, then the family member obtains a visa at the consulate and enters within a month, then requests TIE within a month [1][4]I. Authorization shall take effect only after visa and entry [1]. The method is paid on the method 790 code 052, paragraph 2.1.2. [4]How to choose the code modelo 790 explains the article about tasas 790.

Three schemes are possible for the Spanish family: a Spanish in Spain is a relative who is a relative abroad, then a relative who is a relative who issues a visa, or a relative who is a relative who is a relative who is a relative who is a relative who is a relative who is a relative who is a relative who is a relative who is a relative who is a relative who is a relative who is a relative of a relative who is a relative who is a relative of a relative who is a relative of a relative who is a relative of a relative of a relative who is a relative of a relative of a foreign country, or both in Spain and that is an exception: under article 97.1.c, in the wording of article 94.1 (a) to (h), relatives of a relative who is a relative who is a relative of a relative who is a relative of a relative of a relative of a foreign country may apply for a visa. [1]Hoj 18 lists a shorter list (a, b, c, f, g, h) and we do not know which of the two texts is applicable in Barcelona. [5]During the examination, upon submission from Spain, the applicant shall have the right to live and work on a prospective basis. [1][5].

For the EU citizen ’s family: card within three months of entry, receipt on-site, extradition within three months, 5 years [2][7].

What changed in 2026

The regulations were changed twice a year, and the old instructions on the Internet refer to old texts.

It is not for any old refusal to be voided: as the court's decision will affect the decision already taken in your case, it depends on its circumstances and whether it has entered into force definitively. Reposión, alzada and court.

Typical Errors

• Take the "reunification" instruction for all families and file it in the wrong procedure. The invitee to the DNV, for example, does not fall under the general regime.
• It is believed that marriage to a Spanish automatically gives a map to the EU. For the Spanish family, by default, articles 93-99 apply, and EU law works only in situations where the Spaniard has exercised freedom of movement. [1][2].
• They serve reagrupación without waiting for the invitation to be granted a year later and an extension request will be made. [1].
• Report housing over six months or without proper location (number of rooms, assignment, number of tenants) [1].
• They run a couple without marriage for a residence permit (12 months of living together) and pareja estable under Catalan law (more than two years): these are different criteria [1][8].
• Buy a ticket before a visa: the reagrupación permit only comes into force after entry into force with a visa [1].
• They don't check the criminal record in advance, but it doesn't automatically turn it down, but it requires an evaluation. [1].

When Individual Review Is Needed

A review is needed if the inviteee changes status, he has two nationalities, a remarriage within the family or children from different marriages, a parent over 65 years of age living abroad or already in Spain, a couple without marriage, documents issued in CIS countries with different names. The correct route in such cases depends on the facts, not on the general pattern. If you come with DNV, start with the article. family on DNV.

What can we help you with?

The NEXO team in Barcelona is preparing a family scheme: it defines the status of the invitee, checks the conditions, collects a list of the documents for each family member and prepares the package for presentation with the team's lawyer (legal part) and the master (administrative). ConsultationIII. Service page: familyrouting list FamilyGeneral order from registration to card: Residence permit in Barcelona.

Frequent issues

Related materials

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