Here’s how to bring your relatives with you to Spain and whether you need a visa or not, including the differences between the Family Reunification Visa and the residency application on the back of an EU citizen resident in Spain. Also what to do if you’re protected by the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement and you were married before or after 2020.

If you’d prefer to watch the video, click the pic below

So you want your non-EU family members to live with you here in Spain?

Do I need a visa?

As always, there’s an ‘it depends!’ On this video I’ll take you through the different ways you can bring family members to Spain, and I’ll guide you to where you can find out everything else you need to know from official government sources. 

And you’ll tell me what documentation I’ll need?

Yes. 

I’m confused between the Family Reunification Visa and arriving together in Spain as a family. What’s the difference? 

The Family Reunification Visa is only for family members of Spanish residents who’ve already been here for over a year. 

So do they apply for it, or do I have to do it?

Both actually. The first part of the application process is done in Spain by the person already resident. You can do it online if you have a Digital Certificate. Then using the resulting resolution documentation, the family member applies through the Spanish Consulate in their present country of residence within 2 months.

I see!

I’m going to give all of the other details about the Family Reunification Visa in a minute, but let’s clear up the alternatives first in case this is not the visa you need.

Thanks. That’ll save me a lot of time.

So, if you’re an EU citizen

That’s if I hold a passport from an EU country?

Correct, then you can travel to Spain with your close family members without the need for a visa, you register yourself first as a Spanish resident, then your spouse, children and eligible parents can apply for residency on the back of your residency. 

What would I do if I’m a resident under the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement? 

Well, this is for UK citizens of course. If that’s your situation, your route to bringing over your spouse will depend on whether you were together or married before or after January the 1st 2021. 

Okay, what if I was already married before that deadline date?

Then your spouse is also covered by the withdrawal agreement and is entitled to join you and apply for residency as if you were still an EU citizen. 

So no visa required? 

Correct. They’re even entitled to work here too. 

Great, what about if we got married after the deadline?

Then your partner isn’t covered by the withdrawal agreement so you’ll need to apply for the Family Reunification Visa for them. 

Right, any other alternatives?

I think that’s the lot, so let’s delve into the Family Reunification Visa and find out if you’re eligible and what you need to do. 

One big piece of advice right from the outset, it’s easier to bring your family with you when you move rather than having them join you later, so if it’s possible for you, plan ahead and move together on, for example, the Non Lucrative Visa. 

I bet you’ve got videos and articles all about it!

You bet! We’ve got loads of them to guide you through the whole process of that visa, and we talk about it a lot on the live shows. Ask in the comments as always and I’ll point you to the latest up to date article & video.

Excellent! I’m going to subscribe to the newsletter and the YouTube channel because I’m learning a lot.

Thanks. That really helps YouTooSpain to get watched by more people, and that makes all of our helpful videos and articles more available to you too. It’s a win win win with a cherry on top!

Fabulous!

Right, back to the Family Reunification Visa. 

What is it, in a nutshell? 

It’s an immigration procedure by which anyone who’s lived in Spain for at least a year can bring their close relatives here. 

Like having a probationary period? 

Basically yes, it’s where you get to prove you’ve passed all of the tests for continued residency before you bring your family over. You will need to have renewed your visa for your second year, that’s what proves you’ve met the criteria. 

Okay, I’ve done that. Is it just my wife I can bring or can it be anyone in my family?

You can apply for a visa for your parents if they’re over 65 and dependant on you, your wife or civil partner, your sons & daughters and your spouse’s if they’re under 18, and any disabled children of any age.

What about my brother and sister? Are they eligible?

No, you’d need to be a Spanish citizen to bring in extended family, or partners if you’re not in a registered relationship, or extended family members with serious disabilities, so that’s not relevant to this particular visa. 

What documents do you need for the visa application?

Here’s a list:

Number 1

The National Visa Application Form, filled in and signed. Take a copy of it too.

Number 2

A passport photo. Make sure it’s the correct specifications.

Number 3

Your valid, unexpired passport and copies of the biometric pages. There must be at least 4 months validity left, and two blank pages available.

Number 4

The initial Family Reunification Permit that you got in Spain

Number 5

The applicant’s unexpired residency card. That’s the TIE

Number 6

Documents proving family relationship. For your spouse, that means your marriage licence. For unmarried couples, a certificate of registration or proof of the couple’s long term relationship. For children, a birth certificate and also proof of parental authority if the child is only from one of the spouses. And finally, for parents, the applicant’s birth certificate containing the parents’ names, and proof of being dependant as well as some property and financial details. Ask in the comments below.

Number 7

A Criminal Record check certificate

Number 8

A Medical Certificate showing that the applicant does not suffer from a serious disease. This is different from Healthcare Cover, I’ll talk about that later.

Number 9

Proof of residence in the consular district

Number 10

Proof of the representative’s identity and capacity. This is to confirm the ID of whoever is filling in the form for a child for example.

Number 11

Payment of the visa fee

Any other documents we need?

Well, that’s all for the consulate. It’s worth knowing that at the initial part of the application in Spain, you need to prove other things, for example that you have enough money to support your family members. 

My wife was working so she can support herself.

That’s a problem, because you have to show that she’s been financially dependant on you.

So she can’t work in Spain?

She will actually have the right to work once she’s got the visa and residency, but to get the visa she can’t be supporting herself, otherwise she’d be expected to apply for a different visa. The Family Reunification Visa is just for people who can’t afford to support themselves.

What do I do to show I can support my wife and children?

You need to show some kind of solid income. For example, if you have a work permit from a company, you can use the contract from that plus at least 6 months worth of payslips. And just make sure it’s a long term contract.

What if I’m self-employed?

Then you need to show a corporate income tax return.

How much do I need to be earning?

For the first family member, you need at least 150% of IPREM, which means an annual figure this year of €10,800.

What about for my kids?

For each additional family member you need at least 50% of IPREM, so the annual figure is €3,600. 

And what proof can I give to show that I’m already supporting my missus and kids?

You can provide bank statements showing payments from you for things like rent, bills, living costs, school fees and things like that.

Is that everything?

Not quite.There are a few more things to do, for example you need to prove that the home in which you and your family are going to live is appropriate.

How do I prove that?

You can get a housing report from your local town hall.

And what will that say?

It tells you what condition the house is in, how many rooms it has, how big it is, and how many people live in it.

And what about health insurance?

Yes, you’ll already have health insurance if you’re resident in Spain, and if that doesn’t cover your family members, they’ll need proof of private healthcare insurance for their application.

Are there any more rules and requirements?

That’s about it for the basic rules. But you can always ask questions in the comments, and on our Facebook group or page. And we’ll get you the answers you need.

Peace & Love.
Peas & Fluff.

Article by Skatz

LINKS:

Detailed Info about the Family Reunification Visa from After Brexit in Spain Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=5882623888421106&set=gm.1108598216402066

Registration of the family member of an EU citizen:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/133217347273496/posts/1137127730215781

Immigration Office electronic applications
https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/pagina/index/directorio/icpplus

London Consulate – Family Reunification
https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/londres/en/ServiciosConsulares/Paginas/Consular/Visado-de-reagrupacion-familiar-en-regimen-general.aspx