Lawyer
Specializes in international migration issues – registration of documents in Ukraine and abroad (Hungary, Romania, China, Türkiye, Israel, etc.) for citizens of Ukraine and foreigners.
Residence permit for family reunification: Spain
Moving to another country — is always a complicated process, but the separation from their closest relatives becomes the hardest challenge for many Ukrainians. Spanish immigration law provides a legal path to solve this problem.
Residence Permit for Family Reunification in Spain (Reagrupación familiar) — is an official procedure that allows a foreigner legally residing in the kingdom to bring their close relatives to them and provide them with legal status, the right to reside, and in many cases, the right to work.
As an immigration lawyer, I deal with the issues of legalizing Ukrainians in Europe every day. The family reunification procedure is one of the most bureaucratic and detail-demanding processes.
The slightest mistake in documents or an incorrectly calculated financial minimum can lead to refusal. That is why it is important to entrust this process to experts. Below, we will analyze in detail all legal nuances, requirements, and stages so that you understand how to successfully obtain a residence permit in Spain through family reunification.
Who Can Be Brought to Spain: Categories of Relatives
The General Immigration Regime (Régimen General) clearly regulates the list of persons who have the right to apply for resident status based on family ties.
A residence permit for family reunification in Spain can be obtained for the following categories:
- Husband or wife: officially registered marriage or partnership (Pareja de hecho). It is important to prove that the relationship is not fictitious. If the resident has multiple marriages (which is allowed in some countries), reunification is only possible with one partner.
- Minor children: common children of the spouses or children of one of the partners (if they have sole custody rights) who are under 18 years old.
- Adult children with disabilities: if they are objectively unable to independently meet their needs due to their health condition.
- Parents (own or partner’s): this is the most difficult category. Residence for parents can only be obtained if they are 65 years old or older, are fully financially dependent on the resident (it is necessary to prove regular money transfers during the last year), and there are valid reasons for their relocation. Residence permits for parents under the age of 65 are issued only in exceptional cases of a humanitarian nature.
Requirements for the Resident-Sponsor: What Does the Immigration Service Check?
To initiate the process and apply for a residence permit for family reunification in Spain, the foreigner-sponsor must meet the strict criteria of Spanish law:
- Length of legal residence. You must have legally resided in Spain for at least one year (have the initial residence permit – VNJ) and already have obtained a residence permit for the subsequent period (have a renewed TIE card). Exceptions are owners of long-term residence (Larga duración) or the EU Blue Card, who can initiate the process faster.
- Financial means. The state must be sure that you will be able to support your relatives. The calculation is based on the IPREM indicator (Public Multi-Purpose Income Indicator). For 2024-2025, to reunite with one family member, you need to show an income of 150% of the IPREM, and for each subsequent relative, an additional 50% of the IPREM. Official income from contract work or self-employment (Autónomo) is taken into account.
- Appropriate housing conditions. It is necessary to obtain an official certificate (Informe de habitabilidad) from the local city council (Ayuntamiento) or a notary, which confirms that your accommodation complies with sanitary standards and has sufficient space and number of rooms for the entire family to live in.
Step-by-Step Procedure: How to Obtain a Residence Permit in Spain for Relatives
The procedure consists of two main stages: the actions of the resident in Spain and the actions of the relative in Ukraine (or the country of legal stay).
- Step 1. Submitting the application in Spain. The resident submits the package of documents to the local immigration office (Oficina de Extranjería) at the place of registration. After reviewing the case, a positive decision (Resolución favorable) is issued.
- Step 2. Obtaining a National Visa D. Within two months of receiving the positive decision, the relative must apply to the Consulate of Spain in Kyiv to obtain a special family reunification visa.
- Step 3. Entry and Fingerprinting. Having received the visa, the family member must enter Spain during its period of validity. Within 1 month after entry, it is necessary to register at the place of residence (Empadronamiento) and make an appointment with the police for fingerprinting for the physical resident card (TIE).
Stages and Timelines for Obtaining Residence Permit for Family Reunification
| Application Stage | Responsible Institution | Estimated Timeframes |
| Obtaining the reunification authorization | Spanish Immigration Office (Extranjería) | From 45 to 90 working days |
| Obtaining a National D Visa | General Consulate of Spain in Ukraine | Up to 60 days from the date of application |
| Issuance of the Resident Card (TIE) | Spanish National Police (Policía Nacional) | 30-45 days after fingerprinting |
| Preparation of the Housing Certificate | Local City Council (Ayuntamiento) | 15-30 days (depends on the region) |
What documents are required for a successful case review?
A comprehensive dossier will be required for the immigration service and the consulate. All Ukrainian documents must necessarily have an Apostille stamp (Apostilla de La Haya) and be translated into Spanish by a sworn translator (Traductor Jurado).
The main list includes:
- Valid foreign passports of all participants in the process.
- Documents confirming family ties (marriage certificate, birth certificate).
- Certificate of no criminal record from Ukraine (for adult relatives).
- Medical certificate of the established form, confirming the absence of diseases that pose a threat to society in accordance with International Health Regulations.
- Housing rental contract or real estate purchase agreement + Informe de habitabilidad.
- Resident’s employment contract, tax declarations (IRPF), and bank account statements showing movement of funds.
Why should you entrust the process to a professional immigration lawyer?
Spanish immigration law contains many pitfalls. The bureaucratic apparatus works slowly, and the requirements for document formatting are extremely strict. Independent submission often ends in refusal due to the lack of a single paper or an incorrect translation, leading to the loss of months of waiting and significant funds.
Our law firm offers full support for the process. We know how to prove financial solvency even in complex cases, help quickly obtain a housing certificate, and guarantee that the document package will be perfectly prepared.
The price of an immigration lawyer’s services always pays off with saved nerves and a guaranteed result for your family.
Sign up for an initial consultation with an immigration lawyer, and we will develop an individual relocation strategy for your loved ones. Leave an application on the website to quickly and guaranteed obtain a residence permit for family reunification in Spain!
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Does a relative who arrived through reunification have the right to work in Spain?
Yes, if it is a husband/wife or adult children.
According to current legislation, the residence permit for family reunification (for spouses and children over 16 years old) automatically grants the right to work both under contract (cuenta ajena) and self-employment (cuenta propia) anywhere in Spain without the need to obtain additional permits.
What to do if the Spanish Immigration Service refused reunification?
Refusal is not a verdict.
Within one month from the moment of receiving a negative decision (Resolución denegatoria), our immigration lawyer can file an appeal for review of the case (Recurso potestativo de reposición) to the same body, or within two months apply to the court (Recurso contencioso-administrativo).
Most often, refusals occur due to errors in documents that can be corrected during the appeal.
Is it possible to apply for reunification if my relative is already in Spain as a tourist?
As a general rule (Régimen General) — no.
The Reagrupación familiar procedure requires the relative to be in their country of origin or legal residence (e.g., Ukraine) and await a special D visa.
However, there are alternative pathways for on-site legalization (e.g., Arraigo familiar or student residence permit) if the relative is already in Spain. The exact strategy is selected individually by a lawyer during consultation.
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Residence permit for family reunification: Spain
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