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Residence and nationality

Family reunification

Reagrupación familiar

What it is

It allows a foreign national living in Spain to bring their family members: spouse or partner, children under 18 (or older children with a disability or unable to support themselves), persons under their legal representation and, in certain cases, dependent parents over 65. In general, the sponsor must have lived in Spain for at least one year and have applied to reside for at least another year. They must have sufficient resources (150 % of the IPREM for two members, plus 50 % for each additional member), adequate housing and health insurance for everyone. The application (form EX-02) is filed by the sponsor at the Oficina de Extranjería of their province or through Mercurio; the fee is form 790 code 052 (section 2.1.2). The decision period is two months. If granted, the family member applies for the visa at the consulate within two months, enters Spain within a month of collecting it and, within a month of entry, applies for the TIE.

Official wording
Es una autorización de residencia temporal que se podrá conceder a los familiares de las personas extranjeras residentes en España, en virtud del derecho a la reagrupación familiar ejercido por una persona extranjera residente.

Official sources

Where it applies
All of Spain

Official information

Official sources

Go to the official website: Download form EX-02

When

The application can be filed once the sponsor has lived in Spain for at least one year and has applied to reside for at least another year. That year is not required if the sponsor holds long-term or EU long-term residence granted in Spain and is bringing their parents (or those of their spouse or partner), nor if they live in Spain as an EU long-term resident from another Member State.

Official wording
La solicitud de reagrupación familiar se podrá presentar cuando la persona extranjera reagrupante haya residido en España al menos un año y haya solicitado la autorización para residir durante al menos otro año

Official sources

Steps

  1. Step 1: Check the sponsor's requirements (income, housing, insurance)

    Stable and regular resources: 150 % of the IPREM a month for a two-member family (sponsor and family member) and an extra 50 % of the IPREM for each additional member (with minors, special rules: see the questions). Adequate housing, proved with a report from the competent regional body (or the city council, if the region has so established). Health insurance for the sponsor and the family members. Children already in Spain who are of compulsory school age must be enrolled in school.

    Official wording
    Para unidades familiares que incluyan dos miembros (persona reagrupante y reagrupada) se exige una cantidad mensual del 150 % del IPREM.

    Official sources

  2. Step 2: Submit the application (EX-02) at the Foreigners' Office or via Mercurio

    It is filed by the sponsor, in person or through a representative, with form EX-02, at the Oficina de Extranjería of the province where they live or online through Mercurio. The sponsor's documents and the family member's documents are provided (see documents).

    Official wording
    Sujeto legitimado para presentar la solicitud: la persona reagrupante, personalmente o a través de representante.

    Official sources

    Go to the official website: Mercurio (online filing)

  3. Step 3: Pay fee 052 within ten working days

    The fee becomes due when the application is filed and must be paid within ten working days: form 790 code 052, section 2.1.2 "initial temporary residence permit for family reunification".

    Official wording
    Tasa correspondiente: se devengará en el momento de presentación de la solicitud, y deberá abonarse en el plazo de diez días hábiles: Modelo 790 código 052, epígrafe 2.1.2

    Official sources

    Go to the official website: Generate the 052 fee form

  4. Step 4: Wait for the decision (two months)

    Decision period: two months. If no decision is notified within that period, it can be deemed refused by administrative silence. The family member's permit is not granted until, where applicable, the sponsor's permit has been renewed or long-term residence has been granted to them.

    Official wording
    Plazo de resolución de la solicitud: dos meses

    Official sources

  5. Step 5: The family member applies for the visa at the consulate (within two months)

    From notification of the approval, the family member has two months to apply in person for the visa at the Diplomatic Mission or Consular Office for their area (minors, through their representative). They bring a passport valid for at least four months, a criminal record certificate (those of criminal age), a medical certificate and the originals of the documents proving the family relationship. The consulate notifies the visa decision within one month at most.

    Official wording
    En el caso de concesión, el familiar reagrupado dispone de dos meses desde la notificación de la concesión, para solicitar personalmente el visado en la Misión Diplomática u Oficina Consular en cuya demarcación resida

    Official sources

  6. Step 6: Collect the visa (one month) and enter Spain (one month)

    Once the visa is granted, the family member must collect it in person within one month (minors, through their representative). Once collected, they must enter Spain within one month at most.

    Official wording
    Una vez recogido el visado, el reagrupado deberá entrar en territorio español en el plazo máximo de un mes.

    Official sources

  7. Step 7: Apply for the TIE within one month of entry

    National Police

    Within one month of entering Spain, the family member must apply in person for the foreigner identity card at the police station or competent police services where they live (minors, with their representative).

    Official wording
    El reagrupado en el plazo de un mes desde su entrada en España, deberá solicitar, personalmente, (en el supuesto de menores, el representante, acompañado del menor) la tarjeta de identidad de extranjero en la Comisaría de Policía o servicios policiales competentes de su lugar de residencia.

    Official sources

    Go to the official website: Immigration appointment (cita previa de extranjería)

Documents

Your ticks are saved on this device only.

🖨 Printable bilingual document card (you can show it at the counter)

Fees

Reunification application: form 790 code 052, section 2.1.2, payable within ten working days.

Official wording
Modelo 790 código 052, epígrafe 2.1.2 “autorización inicial de residencia temporal por reagrupación familiar”

Official sources

TIE for the first grant of a temporary residence permit: 16.08 € (form 790 code 012).

Official wording
TIE que documenta la primera concesión de la autorización de residencia temporal, de estancia o para trabajadores transfronterizos 16,08 €

Official sources

Regional differences

Community of Madrid

In the Community of Madrid the housing adequacy report (reference 60332) is requested from the Community, preferably at the city council where you live, electronically or in person. Fee: 30.6 €. Afterwards there is a personal interview where you provide the sponsor's DNI/NIE, the family member's passport, proof of the relationship, a household padrón volante, title to the home (contract or deeds) and recent electricity, water and gas bills. Maximum time to issue: one month.

Official wording
El plazo máximo de emisión del informe es de 1 mes desde la fecha de su solicitud.

Official sources

Catalonia

In Catalonia the housing adequacy report is issued by the Generalitat's Department of Social Rights and Inclusion. The application is filed preferably at the city council where you are registered on the padrón (or at an official registry), with: the signed application, which includes a declaration on the condition of the home and the people living in it; a complete, valid copy of your passport; a document proving use of the home (property title, rental contract, transfer-of-use document or other valid title); the volant de convivència, showing how many people live at the address; and the cédula d'habitabilitat (habitability certificate) (if it cannot be provided, a nota simple from the Property Registry plus the latest water and electricity bill are accepted). It is free and is issued and notified within a maximum of 30 working days; the report can be favourable, unfavourable or a refusal to process.

Official wording
Cèdula d’habitabilitat. Aquest document oficial certifica que l’habitatge compleix les condicions mínimes per ser habitat.

Official sources

Valencian Community

In the city of València the housing report is issued by the City Council: it is a municipal report on the health and habitability conditions of the home and whether it is sufficient for the applicant and their family. It must be requested at least one month before your appointment date at the Delegación del Gobierno, in person (with the standard form) or on the e-office, with your valid residence permit (or the receipt of its application) and the title allowing you to occupy the home. A fee must be paid (self-assessment A205) and a contact phone number given: without it the inspection visit cannot be arranged and no report is issued. The report uses padrón data as of the application date, and inspections follow the order of submission.

Official wording
Con una antelación mínima de un mes respecto a la fecha para la que hayan sido citadas por la Delegación del Gobierno.

Official sources

FAQ

How much income do I need?

150 % of the IPREM a month for two members (sponsor and family member) and an extra 50 % of the IPREM for each additional member. When bringing minors or persons under legal representation, the amount can be reduced: a stable income equal to or above the minimum wage is considered sufficient. If the family has two members and one is a minor, 110 % of the annual guaranteed amount of the Ingreso Mínimo Vital is required, plus 10 % for each additional minor.

Official wording
Por cada miembro adicional se deberá sumar, el 50% del IPREM.

Official sources

What if the regional government does not issue the housing report?

If it is not issued and notified within a month of the request, the housing can be proved by any means of evidence admitted by law, also providing proof of having requested the report.

Official wording
Se podrá justificar este requisito por cualquier medio de prueba admitido en Derecho en el caso de que la Comunidad Autónoma o la Corporación local no haya emitido y notificado el informe en el plazo de un mes desde la fecha de la solicitud.

Official sources

Will my family member be able to work in Spain?

Yes, the spouse, de facto partner and children of working age can work as employees or self-employed anywhere in Spain, in any occupation, without any further procedure.

Official wording
habilita para trabajar por cuenta ajena o propia en cualquier parte del territorio nacional en cualquier ocupación y sector de actividad sin necesidad de ningún trámite administrativo

Official sources

How long is the family member's authorisation valid?

Until the same date as the sponsor's permit at the time the family member enters, with a minimum of one year.

Official wording
La vigencia de la autorización del reagrupado se extenderá hasta la misma fecha que la autorización de que sea titular la persona reagrupante en el momento de entrada del familiar en España, con el mínimo de un año.

Official sources

Related procedures

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