Indian applicants · Kingdom of Spain
Family reunification (Spain) for Indian citizens
Residence permit for family members of Spanish residents; arreigo (settled-status) routes also available.
This page covers the Family reunification (Spain) specifically for Indian applicants — including document requirements, consular procedures, and common issues specific to India. The general eligibility criteria apply to everyone.
- Processing time
- 3 months – 6 months
- Government fees
- Variable.
- Typical duration
- Matches sponsor; leads to settlement.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
Bilateral context
- Schengen Area
Consular processing: New Delhi / Mumbai
Tourist entry vs. this route
Indian nationals require a visa for any entry into Kingdom of Spain. The Family reunification (Spain) is one of the routes available; tourist entry is a separate application.
Key figures for Indian applicants
Computed from our continuously re-verified, primary-sourced data. Indicative, not legal advice.
How long it takes
3 months – 6 months
Spanish family reunification runs in two stages that together commonly take 3–6 months: first the Oficina de Extranjería in Spain approves the sponsor’s authorisation (roughly 45 days), then the relative applies for the visa at their local Spanish consulate. Consular appointment availability is often the real bottleneck rather than the decision.
Verified 1 June 2026 · Portal de Inmigración — Family reunification →
Time to permanent residence
Arrival → permanent residence (5 years) → citizenship (10 years for most nationalities; 2 for Latin American).
Leads to Residencia de Larga Duración, then Spanish citizenship.
Visa overview
Spain operates family reunification (reagrupación familiar) for spouses and children of legally resident non-EU nationals, alongside EU-family routes for spouses of EU nationals. Multiple arraigo routes (familiar, laboral, social, formación) allow regularisation after qualifying residence in Spain.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Sponsor legally resident in Spain for the qualifying period.
- ✓Adequate housing and income.
Common blockers
- !Sponsor's residence not meeting time threshold.
- !Housing report unfavourable.
Typical evidence
- ·Marriage/birth certificates.
- ·Sponsor's residence card and income evidence.
Application pathway
Sponsor applies for reunification authorisation
Submit to Oficina de Extranjería.
Family applies for visa at consulate
With authorisation reference.
Travel and TIE
Register on arrival.
Other Kingdom of Spain routes covered for Indian applicants
Digital Nomad Visa (Spain)
Residence permit for remote workers and international freelancers under the Startup Law (Ley de Startups).
Highly Qualified Professional (HQP) permit
Residence permit for highly qualified workers with a Spanish employment contract, processed under the Law 14/2013 regime.
Entrepreneur Visa (Ley 14/2013)
Residence permit for founders establishing an innovative business in Spain under the Entrepreneurs' Law.
Not sure Kingdom of Spain is right for you? Compare similar routes
Other countries offer family routes that Indian nationals also apply to. See how they compare.
Frequently asked questions
Are Indian citizens eligible for the Family reunification (Spain)?+
Eligibility for the Family reunification (Spain) is set by Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migrations and is not nationality-restricted beyond the general criteria, though Indian applicants may also have access to the following bilateral or treaty frameworks: Schengen Area. See the criteria below for the published requirements.
Where do Indian applicants typically file the Family reunification (Spain)?+
New Delhi / Mumbai. Specific intake (online portal, biometrics centre, or in-country lodgement) is determined by Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migrations — confirm the current intake channel on the primary source linked above before filing.
Do Indian applicants need a tourist visa for Kingdom of Spain as well?+
Indian nationals require a visa for any entry into Kingdom of Spain. The Family reunification (Spain) is one of the routes available; tourist entry is a separate application.
How long does the Family reunification (Spain) take to process from India?+
The typical published decision window is 3 months – 6 months. Indian applicants usually file via New Delhi / Mumbai, and consular-post backlogs can add to the wait. Source: Portal de Inmigración — Family reunification, verified 1 June 2026.
How long until permanent residence in Kingdom of Spain?+
Arrival → permanent residence (5 years) → citizenship (10 years for most nationalities; 2 for Latin American). The route leads to Residencia de Larga Duración, then Spanish citizenship. See Ministerio de Justicia — Nacionalidad española for the qualifying-residence rules.
What are Spain's arraigo routes?+
Arraigo allows regularisation after continuous residence in Spain, with different sub-routes for family, employment, social integration, and training. The 2022 reform added arraigo por formación for those pursuing vocational training.