Family Reunification Visa Spain for UK Citizens and Residents
Planning to join your partner, children or another family member in Spain? For British citizens and UK residents, the correct application depends on your relationship and the nationality and immigration status of the person you will join.
Under Spain’s general family reunification scheme, the family member living in Spain normally applies for residence authorisation first. Once it is approved, the relative in the UK applies for the corresponding national visa. Families of Spanish citizens, EU citizens and certain permit holders follow different rules.
Díaz & Associates’ Spanish-speaking lawyers help you identify the appropriate route, assess the requirements and coordinate the documents needed in Spain and the United Kingdom. Advice is available by appointment from our London office and remotely in English or Spanish.
Why choose Díaz & Associates for your Spain Family Reunification Visa?
A family reunification application can involve a residence authorisation in Spain, a visa application in the UK and documents issued in several countries. Marriage and birth certificates, evidence of dependency, income records and housing documents must support the same family circumstances throughout the process.
Our Spanish-speaking lawyers advise in English and Spanish, helping both the person living in Spain and the relative applying from the UK understand their responsibilities. We assess the family relationship, the sponsor’s status and the supporting evidence, and explain the relevant deadlines before the application moves to the next stage.
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Spain Family Reunification Visa: key facts
| Question | General family reunification scheme |
| Who is this route for? | Eligible relatives joining a non-EU foreign national who holds qualifying residence in Spain. |
| Who normally starts the application? | The resident family member in Spain, known as the sponsor or reagrupante. |
| Is prior residence normally required? | Usually at least one year of residence, with an application to reside for at least another year, subject to exceptions. |
| What is the standard financial benchmark? | 150% of IPREM for the sponsor and one family member, plus 50% for each additional member. Special rules can apply when minors are involved. |
| Is a housing report required? | Adequate housing must normally be evidenced through the competent regional or local authority. |
| When is the visa application submitted? | Within two months of notification of the favourable authorisation decision to the sponsor. |
| Can the family member work? | An authorised spouse, partner or child above the minimum working age can work without a separate immigration work permit. |
| How long is the initial residence authorisation? | Its duration is linked to the sponsor’s status and document validity, with a minimum of one year. |
These points concern the general scheme governed by Articles 65–71 of the Spanish Immigration Regulation. They should not be applied automatically to every family immigration route.
What is a Family Reunification Visa for Spain?
A Family Reunification Visa allows an eligible relative living abroad to enter Spain to join a foreign resident after the corresponding residence authorisation has been approved. The procedure is commonly called reagrupación familiar en régimen general.
The residence authorisation, visa and TIE serve different purposes. The authorisation establishes the permission to reside, subject to its conditions. The visa is used to enter Spain for that purpose. The TIE is the physical identity card obtained after arrival to document the residence status.
The Ministry’s general family reunification guidance explains the principal eligibility conditions and the procedure.
Which family immigration route applies to you?
Before preparing documents or booking an appointment, identify the status of the person living in Spain. Being related to someone in Spain does not create one universal visa entitlement.
Compare the routes
Who is the person you will join in Spain?
Select the description closest to your family member’s status to identify the Spanish immigration route that should be assessed first.
A British or other non-EU citizen with an ordinary Spanish residence authorisation
Route to assessGeneral family reunification, subject to the sponsor and family requirements.
A Spanish citizen
Route to assessThe specific residence route for family members of Spanish nationals; EU free-movement rules may be relevant in qualifying cases.
A citizen of another EU country, the EEA or Switzerland
Route to assessThe applicable EU-family entry and residence procedure.
A British citizen protected by the EU–UK Withdrawal Agreement
Route to assessThe Agreement’s rules for qualifying family members, including the relevant relationship history.
A Digital Nomad, Highly Qualified Professional or other qualifying international-mobility permit holder
Route to assessThe accompanying-family provisions of the relevant permit.
A person holding a Spanish study authorisation
Route to assessThe separate student-family rules, where that category permits accompanying relatives.
This comparison provides general guidance only. Being related to someone in Spain does not create one universal visa entitlement; the appropriate route depends on the sponsor’s nationality and status, the family relationship and the supporting evidence.
If your family is planning to move together under another visa category, the Digital Nomad Visa or Non-Lucrative Visa family provisions may need to be assessed from the outset.
Practical Recommendation
Start with the sponsor’s passport, residence decision and current residence document. Confirming the legal route first helps establish which relatives qualify, which financial rules apply and whether an overseas visa application is required.
What if my partner or family member is Spanish?
Spain has a specific residence category for eligible relatives of Spanish nationals. The family categories, application channels and financial assessment differ from the general scheme described below.
The procedure also depends on whether the Spanish citizen is already in Spain, whether both relatives are abroad or whether an application can lawfully be made from within Spain. The Ministry’s guidance for family members of Spanish citizens sets out these distinctions.
What if EU or Withdrawal Agreement rights apply?
Qualifying relatives of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen may follow the EU-family residence rules. Entry-visa requirements depend on nationality and applicable exemptions; the residence-card procedure is a separate matter.
Some British residents and their family members are protected by the Withdrawal Agreement. Eligibility should be checked against the residence and relationship history. GOV.UK’s Living in Spain guidance directs families to the relevant Spanish Brexit information.
Who can sponsor family reunification in Spain?
Under the general scheme, the sponsor must hold qualifying Spanish residence and meet the relevant conditions for bringing the family member to Spain.
The usual starting point is at least one year of residence and an application for permission to reside for at least another year. The family authorisation cannot be granted until the required renewal or other qualifying residence authorisation has been approved. Bringing parents normally requires long-term or long-term EU residence, with the applicable application and grant conditions.
The sponsor must also demonstrate sufficient resources, adequate housing and health coverage for the relevant family members. School-age dependent children already living in Spain must meet the applicable schooling requirement.
Legal requirement
Under the general family reunification scheme, the sponsor must obtain the relevant residence authorisation for the family member before the national visa stage can proceed. A family relationship or a BLS appointment does not replace that prior authorisation.
Which family members can qualify?
The eligible categories are defined in Article 66 of the Immigration Regulation. Each relative must meet the conditions for their own category.
Spouses and unmarried partners
An eligible adult spouse can apply where the marriage remains valid, the couple is not separated and the relationship meets the legal conditions. Previous marriages may require evidence of dissolution and the arrangements concerning the former spouse and children.
An unmarried partner may qualify through an eligible registration or a sufficiently evidenced stable relationship. For an unregistered partnership, the rules recognise at least twelve continuous months of cohabitation analogous to marriage. That prior cohabitation period is not required where the couple has a child together and the relationship continues.
The general scheme specifies registration in a public register established for that purpose in an EU Member State. A UK civil-partnership certificate should therefore be assessed under the applicable route and evidence rules rather than treated as automatically satisfying every registered-partner category.
Children and legally represented relatives
Children of the sponsor or their spouse or partner can normally qualify if they are under 18 when the residence-authorisation application is made. Adult children may qualify under the specified disability or health-related conditions. Financial dependence alone is not a general entitlement for every adult child under this scheme.
There are also provisions for certain people legally represented by the sponsor. Adoption, guardianship and representation documents must have the necessary legal effect in Spain.
Legal requirement
Where a child is moving without both parents, the application must address parental responsibility, custody and any required consent or judicial authorisation for the move to Spain. A birth certificate alone may not establish the right to relocate the child.
Parents and parents-in-law
First-degree ascendants can qualify where they are dependent on the sponsor, are normally over 65 and there are reasons justifying their residence in Spain. Humanitarian exceptions may apply to younger parents who meet the remaining conditions.
The sponsor normally needs long-term residence. Dependency should be supported by the actual financial, family, social and health circumstances, including the history of support. A recent transfer of money alone may not adequately explain the relationship of dependency.
An adult child acting as a carer
The regulation includes a specific category for an adult son or daughter of the sponsor, spouse or partner who will care for a sponsor with a recognised degree of dependency under the relevant Spanish legislation. It requires evidence of that recognised dependency and the proposed caring role.
Siblings, cousins and other extended relatives are not generally included simply because they are family. Different provisions may apply under another immigration regime.
Family Reunification Visa Spain requirements
The application needs to demonstrate an eligible family relationship, a qualifying sponsor and compliance with the personal and documentary requirements. The authority will assess the evidence supporting the whole family situation.
The sponsor’s file normally covers residence status, resources, housing, health coverage and the family relationship. The joining relative must meet the applicable passport, criminal-record, entry and public-health requirements, as well as any conditions concerning age, dependency or legal representation.
How much income is required for family reunification?
For the general scheme, the standard benchmark is 150% of IPREM for a household comprising the sponsor and one joining family member, plus 50% for each additional member. The IPREM monthly amount published by SEPE for 2026 is €600.
| Family unit | Standard percentage | Standard monthly benchmark in 2026 |
| Sponsor and one family member | 150% of IPREM | €900 |
| Sponsor and two family members | 200% of IPREM | €1,200 |
| Sponsor and three family members | 250% of IPREM | €1,500 |
| Sponsor and four family members | 300% of IPREM | €1,800 |
| Each further family member | Additional 50% of IPREM | Additional €300 |
The calculation concerns the relevant family unit, including members who must already be counted. It is not simply a charge or allowance for each new visa applicant.
These are the ordinary benchmarks. The regulation provides for reductions in qualifying cases involving minors or legally represented relatives, with an individual assessment and specific rules linked to the Ingreso Mínimo Vital. Families with children should have those provisions assessed before assuming the standard table determines the outcome.
Estimate the standard monthly income benchmark for your family unit
Under the general scheme, the standard benchmark is 150% of IPREM for the sponsor and one family member, plus 50% for each additional member. IPREM 2026: €600 per month.
Important: This calculator shows the ordinary benchmark only. The regulation provides for reductions in qualifying cases involving minors or legally represented relatives, and the authority assesses the nature, amount and regularity of the resources. It is not a guarantee that the financial requirement is met.
Check my family’s eligibility →Which income and savings can be considered?
The authority assesses the nature, amount and regularity of the resources. Under Article 67, income is generally considered gross, including the proportionate share of extra payments, while income from economic activities is assessed by net return.
Pensions and other qualifying resources may be relevant. Certain assistance payments are excluded. The rules also address stable assets and, subject to conditions, resources of specified resident relatives in the same household.
Evidence may include employment documents, payslips, pension statements, tax returns and bank records. Savings should be assessed with their ownership, history and availability; a balance on one particular day does not establish every part of the financial requirement.
Adequate housing and health coverage
Adequate housing is normally evidenced through a report from the competent regional or, where designated, local authority. The assessment considers the right to occupy the property, rooms, existing occupants, habitability and facilities. Owning a property is not a universal requirement.
The housing report or permitted substitute evidence must be no more than six months old when the application is submitted. If the authority has not issued the report within the statutory month, alternative evidence may be available, provided the delay and the relevant housing conditions are properly substantiated.
The health-coverage requirement must also be addressed for the sponsor and family members. The evidence should establish the coverage available in Spain and who it covers; private insurance requirements or reliance on an existing healthcare entitlement should be checked for the individual case.
Practical Recommendation
Assess the household’s resources and request the housing report early. Check who must be included in the financial calculation and whether any child-related reduction applies before organising the rest of the application around a particular income figure.
Documents required for a Spain Family Reunification Visa
The sponsor’s authorisation application and the joining relative’s visa application are connected stages with different documentary requirements.
Documents for the sponsor’s application in Spain
The principal documents normally include:
- The completed EX-02 application form and evidence of the applicable fee payment.
- The sponsor’s passport and evidence of their Spanish residence status, including a relevant renewal application or decision.
- The joining relative’s passport and documents proving the family relationship.
- Evidence of sufficient financial resources, adequate housing and health coverage.
- Where applicable, documents concerning dependency, custody, adoption, guardianship or previous marriages, and the required declaration concerning another spouse or partner.
The Ministry’s family reunification document guidance gives further detail for each family category.
Documents for the visa application in the UK
After approval, the family member normally needs the national visa application form, a compliant photograph, passport, the favourable family-reunification authorisation and the sponsor’s residence evidence.
The file also includes original relationship documents, evidence of legal residence in the relevant UK consular district, criminal-record certificates where required and the prescribed medical certificate. Minors and represented applicants need the relevant representation documents.
The current Immigration Regulation requires at least one year of passport validity for a residence visa. Some older consular guidance still refers to four months, so resolve any discrepancy before the appointment and prepare against the current statutory requirement.
Criminal-record and medical certificates
Criminal-record evidence normally concerns the countries in which the applicant has lived during the preceding five years. The Spanish Consulate in London’s family reunification guidance identifies ACRO for UK criminal-record evidence.
The medical certificate must satisfy the prescribed public-health requirement under the International Health Regulations 2005. A health insurance policy does not replace that certificate. Check document age, format, legalisation and translation requirements for the authority receiving the application.
Apostilles and Spanish translations
UK public documents may require an apostille through the UK Government’s legalisation service. Documents issued elsewhere follow the applicable rules in their country of issue, including any relevant exemption.
Documents not in Spanish may require a compliant sworn translation. Birth and marriage certificates, court decisions and evidence of changed names should be checked together so that the family relationship remains clear throughout the file.
Practical Recommendation
Prepare a document schedule for both stages. Coordinate certificates, apostilles and translations so that documents remain valid when needed, and resolve differences in names, dates or family details before submission.
How to apply for a Family Reunification Visa for Spain from the UK
The following stages describe the general scheme. The sponsor begins the residence-authorisation procedure in Spain, and the joining family member completes the visa stage from the UK after approval.
The family reunification process, stage by stage
Follow these ten stages to confirm the route, prepare the sponsor’s application in Spain, complete the UK visa stage and finish the formalities after arrival.
Route assessment Identify the family immigration route
Check the sponsor’s nationality and residence status, the family relationship and any EU or Withdrawal Agreement rights.
Outcome: Confirm the procedure that applies to the family.Eligibility Assess the sponsor and each joining relative
Review the sponsor’s residence history and renewal position, together with the age, relationship, dependency and other relevant conditions for each applicant.
Outcome: Identify the eligibility requirements and any issues needing further evidence.Resources and housing Prepare the financial, housing and healthcare evidence
Assess the household’s resources, obtain the appropriate housing evidence and establish the required health coverage.
Outcome: Document the sponsor’s ability to meet the general-scheme requirements.Family documents Assemble the relationship and personal documents
Collect the passports, certificates and any custody, dependency or representation evidence. Arrange apostilles and translations where needed.
Outcome: Prepare a consistent authorisation file.Application in Spain Submit the residence-authorisation application in Spain
The sponsor, personally or through an authorised representative, submits the application to the competent Immigration Office using the applicable procedure.
Outcome: Begin the family-reunification authorisation assessment.Decision Address further-document requests and receive the decision
Respond to any requests within the stated period. Once a favourable decision is notified, record the notification date and review the conditions carefully.
Outcome: Obtain the prior authorisation and identify the visa-application deadline.UK appointment Arrange the UK family reunification visa appointment
Use the designated channel for the applicant’s consular district and select the appropriate national-visa category. Complete the visa-stage documents and payment arrangements.
Outcome: Prepare to lodge the visa application within the permitted period.Visa application Submit the national visa application
The joining relative completes the consular procedure, attending personally where required or through an accepted representative where permitted. Further evidence or an interview may be requested.
Outcome: Obtain the consular decision on the visa.Travel Collect the visa and travel to Spain
Check the visa details and follow the collection and entry deadlines. Keep evidence of the date of entry.
Outcome: Join the sponsor in Spain under the approved family residence route.Arrival in Spain Apply for the TIE and complete arrival formalities
Apply for the residence card within the applicable period and arrange the relevant local registration, healthcare and schooling formalities.
Outcome: Document the family member’s status and complete the practical steps for living in Spain.
Do you need support with your family reunification application?
Our Spanish-speaking lawyers advise British citizens, UK residents and their families on the route assessment, the sponsor’s application in Spain, the UK visa stage and post-arrival formalities.
Get guidance on my family reunification applicationHow to book a Spain Family Reunification Visa appointment
UK applicants must use the procedure for their Spanish consular district. For London’s general scheme, the Consulate directs applications through BLS. Start from the BLS London family reunification page and its official appointment link.
Select the general family-reunification category only where it matches your authorisation. BLS publishes separate categories for relatives of Spanish citizens, including different arrangements depending on whether the Spanish family member lives in Spain or the UK.
Appointment availability and submission arrangements can change. An appointment booking is not the same as lodging the visa application, and legal assistance does not guarantee an appointment or an approval.
Legal deadline
Under the general scheme, the visa application must be submitted within two months of notification of the favourable residence-authorisation decision to the sponsor. Booking an appointment should not be assumed to satisfy or extend that deadline.
The deadline is set by Article 40 of the Immigration Regulation. If appointment availability puts it at risk, seek guidance promptly and retain evidence of the steps taken to obtain an appointment.
Spain Family Reunification Visa processing time
Processing involves separate decisions in Spain and at the consular stage. The legal decision periods should be distinguished from the total time required to prepare documents, obtain a housing report and secure an appointment.
| Stage | Current statutory decision period under the general scheme |
| Residence-authorisation application in Spain | Up to two months. |
| National visa application after authorisation | Up to one month from submission. |
These periods are set out in Articles 68 and 40 of the Immigration Regulation. Requests for further evidence and other procedural events can affect the timetable.
The BLS London general-scheme webpage currently refers to a two-month visa decision period. That differs from the one-month period in the current regulation and Ministry guidance. The statutory periods above should not be treated as a guaranteed travel date.
Allow time for the entire process and avoid committing to a move based only on the visa-stage estimate.
How much does a Family Reunification Visa for Spain cost?
Costs depend on the immigration route, nationality, number of applicants and supporting documents. Under the general scheme, the residence-authorisation fee in Spain, the consular visa fee and the TIE fee are separate charges.
The following published amounts were checked on 29 October 2026:
| Cost item | Published amount or basis |
| Initial general family-reunification residence authorisation | €10.94 under the applicable Spanish fee schedule. |
| General-scheme visa, category RFK, for a British national | £719 in the national visa fee schedule published by BLS London. |
| BLS London service charge | £14.85 per visa application on the general-scheme page. |
| TIE documenting an initial temporary residence authorisation | €16.08 under the applicable Spanish fee schedule. |
| Housing report | Check whether the relevant regional or local authority charges a fee. |
| Certificates, apostilles and translations | Variable according to the documents required. |
| Legal assistance | Quoted according to the family circumstances and agreed scope. |
The Spanish authorisation and card amounts appear in Order PJC/617/2025. The visa amount comes from the London national visa fee schedule, while BLS publishes its service charge on the general-scheme page.
The British-national visa rate does not apply automatically to every UK resident. Confirm the applicable rate, any exemption and additional provider charges before payment. Other family routes have different fee rules: for example, the national visa for qualifying family members of Spanish citizens is exempt from the visa-processing fee under Article 41. That does not make every document or service free.
After approval: collecting the visa, entering Spain and obtaining the TIE
Under the general scheme, the visa should normally be collected within one month of notification of approval. The Ministry’s guidance then requires entry into Spain within one month of collection. Check the decision and visa details when arranging travel.
Keep the passport, visa, favourable authorisation and evidence of entry available for the post-arrival formalities. Municipal registration, healthcare arrangements and a child’s school enrolment may also need attention.
Legal requirement
The joining family member must apply for the TIE within one month of entry into Spain. For a minor, the required representation and attendance arrangements must also be followed.
The Ministry’s post-approval guidance sets out the collection, entry and residence-card stages.
Can I work in Spain on a family reunification permit?
Under the general scheme, the residence authorisation of a reunited spouse, partner or child above the minimum working age permits employed and self-employed work without a separate immigration work-permit application.
The right applies across Spain and across occupations and sectors, subject to ordinary professional, employment, tax and Social Security requirements. Other relatives should have the work rights attached to their particular authorisation checked individually.
This permission comes from the applicable residence status. An appointment or an application still awaiting approval should not be treated as general permission to start working.
How long does family reunification residence last?
Where the sponsor has temporary residence, the family member’s initial authorisation is generally linked to the sponsor’s authorisation at the time of entry, with a minimum validity of one year.
For a long-term resident sponsor, the regulation links the first family authorisation to the validity of the sponsor’s TIE, again with a minimum of one year, and contains a separate provision for the family member’s subsequent long-term authorisation. These cases require their own renewal assessment.
A temporary family-reunification renewal under Article 71 normally lasts four years, with its validity conditional on the maintenance of the sponsor’s residence authorisation where the family member remains dependent on it. Do not assume that every family residence card is initially issued for five years.
Renewals and changes in family circumstances
The normal renewal window is the two months before expiry. An application is also possible during the following three months, although late submission may result in a sanction procedure. The continuing family relationship, residence status and other applicable conditions must be addressed.
Separation, divorce, bereavement or other changes do not all have the same immigration consequences. Independent residence may be available in specified circumstances. The Ministry’s renewal guidance and the regulation explain the relevant framework.
Can I apply for family reunification while visiting Spain?
A visitor stay does not automatically convert into general family-reunification residence. The ordinary process described here involves the sponsor’s application in Spain and the joining relative’s overseas visa stage.
Different rules may permit an application in Spain for certain relatives of Spanish or EU citizens, or for someone already holding another qualifying status. The family relationship, nationality and current immigration position should be assessed before relying on an in-country application.
What happens if a family reunification application is refused?
A refusal can arise during the sponsor’s authorisation procedure or the relative’s visa application. The reasons may concern the family category, residence history, resources, housing, dependency, authenticity of the relationship or personal documents.
The decision and complete application should be assessed together. Depending on the authority and decision, an administrative appeal or judicial challenge may be available, with deadlines running from the relevant notification. A fresh application does not preserve those deadlines.
Practical Recommendation
Obtain advice as soon as a refusal is received. Keep the decision, evidence of notification and the submitted file together so that the available remedies and the underlying issue can be assessed before deciding whether to appeal or reapply.
How our Spanish immigration lawyers can help
Clear legal guidance for sponsors in Spain and relatives applying from the UK throughout the family reunification process.
Initial consultation
We discuss the sponsor’s nationality and status, the family relationships, UK residence, previous applications and plans for living together in Spain.
Route and eligibility assessment
We identify the appropriate family route and assess the residence, relationship, age, dependency and financial conditions relevant to each applicant.
Sponsor and family document review
We review the consistency of the residence evidence, family certificates, resources, housing documents and any custody or dependency evidence.
Application guidance
We explain the Spanish authorisation and UK consular stages, forms, fees, appointment category and deadlines within the agreed scope of assistance.
Ongoing legal advice
We advise on further-document requests, decisions, post-arrival formalities, renewals and changes in family circumstances within the agreed scope.
Advice in English or Spanish
Consultations are available by prior appointment at our London office and remotely in English or Spanish. We agree the scope of work before assistance begins.
Please note: We do not guarantee approval. The competent Spanish authorities decide each application according to the applicable law, individual circumstances and supporting evidence.
About this guidance
This guidance is intended for British citizens, UK residents and their family members considering a move to Spain. It focuses on the general family reunification scheme and identifies other family routes where they may be relevant.
Sources checked: 29 October 2026. The principal references include the consolidated Spanish Immigration Regulation, Ministry of Migration guidance, Spanish consular information, SEPE, the official Spanish fee schedule and GOV.UK. BLS is referenced for the operational application channel and its published charges.
This is general information. Individual advice depends on the sponsor’s status, the family relationship, nationality, residence history and supporting evidence. Fees and submission instructions should be checked again before applying.
Get legal advice on your Family Reunification Visa for Spain
Whether your family member already lives in Spain or you are planning a move together, our Spanish-speaking lawyers can assess the appropriate route and explain the documents and next steps.
Contact Díaz & Associates for advice in English or Spanish from our London office or remotely.
We do not guarantee approval. The competent Spanish authorities decide each application according to the applicable law, individual circumstances and supporting evidence.
Contact our Spanish speaking immigration lawyers in London
Address: 53 Davies Street, London, W1K 5JH, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 7429 569661
Email: london@diazyasociados.es
Our Spanish speaking immigration lawyers advise clients in London, across the UK and in Spain on visa, residence and immigration matters between both countries.
Frequently asked questions about family reunification in Spain
Can a British citizen sponsor a family member in Spain?
Yes, if they hold a qualifying Spanish residence status and meet the applicable conditions. British residents protected by the Withdrawal Agreement should first check whether its family provisions apply.
Does the sponsor have to be working?
Employment is one way of demonstrating resources, but qualifying pensions and other resources may also be considered. The evidence must satisfy the rules for the relevant route and family unit.
Can a self-employed resident sponsor their family?
Potentially, yes. The residence-history and other general-scheme conditions still apply, and the financial assessment must reflect the relevant net income and evidence of the activity. Our Self-Employed Visa Spain guidance explains that residence route.
Can I bring an adult child who depends on me financially?
Ordinary financial dependence alone is not sufficient for every adult child under the general scheme. There are specific disability, health and carer categories. Other routes, including family residence linked to a Spanish citizen, have different eligibility rules.
Do we have to be married?
No. An eligible registered partnership or a sufficiently evidenced stable relationship may qualify. The applicable registration and cohabitation conditions should be checked against the selected route.
Do I need to buy a house in Spain?
No. The requirement concerns adequate housing and a valid right to occupy it. A suitable rental arrangement may be relevant, supported by the required housing evidence.
Can my family apply when I first move to Spain?
The ordinary general scheme normally requires prior residence by the sponsor. Some other visa categories permit accompanying-family applications from the outset, so the proposed main route should be assessed before planning the move.
Does booking a BLS appointment start the visa application?
No. Booking and submission are separate steps. Under the general scheme, the visa application must be lodged within the applicable two-month period following notification of the authorisation to the sponsor.
Can I apply from the UK if I am not British?
Potentially, if you meet the relevant residence and consular-jurisdiction conditions. Your nationality affects entry requirements and may affect the visa fee. Being in the UK as a visitor should not be assumed to provide eligibility to apply there.
Is a family visitor visa the same as family reunification?
No. Visiting relatives for a short stay and relocating to live with them are different purposes. The appropriate entry and residence arrangements should match the intended stay.
Do all family reunification visas cost £719?
No. That is the published London RFK visa rate for British nationals checked for this guidance. Other nationalities, exemptions and different family immigration routes may have different fees.
