How to bring family with you when working in Spain

Can your family join you when you move to Spain for work?

If an applicant has moved to Spain for work or a short-term assignment, it can be difficult to know what that means for family life. Particularly in cases where you have had to move fast, you will want peace of mind on how and when you will reunite. 

Some families choose to visit on short-term visas before officially moving, while for others, moving together is non-negotiable. Some families may take a phased approach to their Spanish immigration. 

If your children are settled in school, it can be hard to know when to move. Likewise, when your spouse works in Spain, the family may not be permitted to join immediately. Knowing what to do and how to do it can be complicated. We guide you on the possibilities for reuniting with your family in Spain.

Short-term visits for families in Spain

If your family is visiting you short-term for less than 90 days within 180 days, they can apply for a Schengen Visa. Each family member must individually meet the visa requirements, such as proof of financial means, travel insurance, and a valid passport, as well as provide an invitation letter from you, the resident of Spain.

I’m on a work visa in Spain. Can my family join me straight away?

If you are relocating to Spain with a work visa, family reunification is generally possible after you have legally resided in Spain for 12 months. However, certain work visas allow your family to join you sooner. These include highly skilled workers in fields like technology or engineering or those on intra-company transfer (ICT) visas, where family reunification can be expedited.

When can your family join you in Spain?

A Family Reunification Visa allows you to bring close family members to live with you in Spain. There are typically four ways to bring your family to Spain.

Two ways permit your family to move with you to Spain immediately:

• If you hold a skilled work visa such as an EU Blue Card, Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Visa or Highly Skilled Work Visa
• If you are a Spanish citizen

If you are an asylum seeker, you can apply for your family to join you, which typically takes 6-9 months

• As an asylum seeker, you have the right to have family members live with you in Spain, under The Asylum Act of Spain

If none of the above apply, you must wait to reunite with your family in Spain. Your family can join you in Spain once you have legally resided in Spain and held a valid residence permit for 12 months if:

• You do not hold a skilled work visa or Spanish residence, you must legally reside in Spain for at least 12 months and have a valid residence permit for another year. Once this requirement is met, you can apply to reunify family members, provided you can demonstrate financial stability and suitable accommodation for the family. 

Work Visas That Allow Immediate Family Reunification:

EU Blue Card

The EU Blue Card is for highly skilled non-EU workers. It allows family members (spouses, children under 18, and dependent children over 18) to join the main applicant right away. The streamlined process means there’s no need to wait for the 12-month period.

Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Visa 

Employees being transferred to Spain within the same company or corporate group can bring their family members immediately. The ICT visa is designed for senior executives, specialists, and managers, facilitating quick family reunification.

Highly Qualified Work Permit

Similar to the EU Blue Card, highly skilled workers in certain sectors, such as technology, engineering, and healthcare, can reunite with their families immediately. Spain encourages the arrival of highly qualified professionals and makes the process smoother for family reunification.

Why the 12-Month Rule?

The 12-month rule typically applies to regular work visas to ensure that the main visa holder has had enough time to establish themselves in Spain and prove financial stability before bringing family members. This period allows the authorities to confirm that the individual can support their family and that their residence in Spain is secure and long-term. The 12-month rule applies to applicants on a:

• General Work Visa 
• Self-Employment Visa
• Student Visa

Other visa types may also have to wait 12 months for family reunification. It is best to check with a Spanish immigration lawyer to be sure you are eligible for your planned route. 

The Non-Lucrative Visa also exists for families not planning to work in Spain. Normally, you must wait 12 months to bring your family on this visa. However, you can apply as a group if the main applicant can prove they can support the family without employment in Spain.

Which family members can relocate with you?

Spouse/Civil Partner/Cohabiting Partner

Spouses, civil partners, and cohabiting partners are eligible for family reunification in Spain if they meet the entry criteria. You must be able to prove you are in a subsisting relationship in accordance with the conditions for each type of relationship. 

Requirements

• A marriage certificate or civil partnership must be presented as proof of marriage for spouses. If it is a second marriage, you must additionally prove your divorce from a previous partner.
• Unmarried couples must prove either a certificate of registration or prove the length of their relationship pre-dates their Spanish residence. 

Children

Children of a Spanish resident or Spanish visa holder are eligible for Family Reunification in Spain. The child must be under 18 and be dependent on you. Adopted children and children of your spouse or partner or represented by the applicant qualify, as do children who are disabled and dependent on you to care for their needs. 

Requirements

Children must provide a valid birth certificate showing the applicant as the child’s parent. If the applicant has sole parental custody, they must prove the child is legally in their care. 

Parents

Parents are eligible to apply for family reunification in Spain if they are in the applicant’s care. 

Requirements

The parent must be over 65, and they need to relocate so that you can care for them. In some cases, such as humanitarian reasons, parents under 65 may be allowed. Proof of financial support and suitable accommodation must also be provided to meet the family reunification requirements.

How does the Family Reunification Process Work?

To begin the family reunification process in Spain, the individual already living in Spain must initiate the application by submitting relevant forms and proof of their legal residence, such as their Foreigner Identification Card. Both the applicant and their family members will need to provide identification documentation, such as marriage certificates or birth certificates, and submit the required forms in person at their respective immigration offices.

Once submitted, the consular office provides a receipt with a code to track the application’s progress, and a decision is typically made within two months. If approved, family members must collect their visas in person within a month and move to Spain within 90 days. If the application is refused, an appeal can be filed within one month. After arriving in Spain, family members must apply for their Foreigner Identification Card within 30 days. 

How Can IAS Help You?

If you want to determine eligibility and the requirements for you and your family to move to Spain with you or to join you, contact our expert Spain immigration lawyers to understand your pathway. 

 If you have any questions or need application support for your Spanish family visa or any other Spain visa, we can help. Our experienced team can help with applications, appeals, extensions and complex cases – so we can support you no matter your situation. 

We help you and your family move to Spain stress-free. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our experienced Spain immigration lawyers on 0333 305 9375, or contact us online.