Kingdom of Spain · family · Leads to settlement

Family reunification (Spain)

By Sam Parks · Last reviewed: 9 July 2026

Source check: all 5 official citations reconfirmed 11 July 2026

Residence permit for family members of Spanish residents; arreigo (settled-status) routes also available.

No sponsorship requiredLeads to permanent residencyMatches sponsor; leads to settlement.

Processing time: Variable by province.
Government fees: Variable.
Typical duration: Matches sponsor; leads to settlement.
Sponsorship required: No
Leads to permanent residency: Yes

Reviewed 9 July 2026Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migrations ↗

In short

As of 9 July 2026, the Family reunification (Spain) for Kingdom of Spain has typical processing of 3 months – 6 months. Sources: official Kingdom of Spain government pages, reviewed 9 July 2026.

Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/spain/family-reunification-es#answer

What is the Family reunification (Spain) in Kingdom of Spain?

Family reunification (Spain) is an unsponsored Spain route. Indicative government fees are Variable; indicative processing time is Variable by province; typical duration is Matches sponsor; leads to settlement. This route can lead to permanent residence.

Verified against Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migrations on 22 June 2026.

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.

Guidance by nationality

Specific information for applicants from these countries. Don’t see yours? The general eligibility criteria above apply to everyone.

Eligibility

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.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.

Official guidanceApplicant + sponsor
Check family reunification guidance ↗
Sponsor and family member use this official guidance to confirm the reunification authorisation and visa evidence requirements.
Ministerio de Inclusion, Seguridad Social y Migraciones · verified 22 June 2026

Fees and processing time

Indicative government fees: Variable.. A decision then typically takes 3 months – 6 months. Both change over time, so the dedicated pages below carry the itemised breakdown and the current official figures.

Processing time detail
Current decision windows from the issuing authority.

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Frequently asked questions

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.

What does my sponsor need to prove to reunite our family in Spain?+

The sponsor must be legally resident in Spain for the qualifying period and show adequate housing and income. A sponsor whose residence does not meet the time threshold, or an unfavourable housing report, are common blockers. Confirm the requirements with the official Ministerio guidance.

Need tailored advice?

We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.

Find a regulated advisor in Spain

How we verified this

We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.

Primary source: Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migrations

Last checked: 22 June 2026

See the full evidence trail and methodology

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