Permits for family members
Two different routes under one name: the family card of a citizen of Spain or an EU country, and reunification with a Spanish resident. Their requirements and timelines differ — the basis you choose decides both the speed and the outcome.
Who it suits
- Your spouse, parent or child is a citizen of Spain or an EU country.
- Your relative lives in Spain on a valid permit and can reunite with you.
- You are already in Spain and want to regularise your status on family grounds.
- You need a permit with the right to work, not merely to live in the country.
What you will have to prove
- Proven family ties: certificates, apostilled and sworn-translated.
- For an EU citizen’s family — the citizen’s own registration in Spain and living together.
- For a resident’s family — a year of the resident’s lawful residence and a renewed permit.
- For a resident’s family — housing of adequate size with a municipal report.
- Sufficient means to support the family and health insurance.
- No criminal record and no entry bans.
How the work goes
Choosing the basis 45 minutes
We work out which procedure fits: the route through an EU citizen is usually shorter.
Documents and legalisation from 3 weeks
We collect the family documents and handle apostilles and sworn translations.
Filing 1 day
We file online or by appointment, depending on the procedure and the province.
Review up to 3 months
We answer additional requests; if refused, we prepare the appeal.
TIE card 15–25 days
Police appointment, fingerprints, card collection.
Length, renewal and the path to permanent residence
- Family of an EU citizen
- The card is issued for five years and grants the right to work immediately.
- Family of a resident
- The permit follows the relative’s permit and is renewed together with it.
- Permanent residence
- Five years of continuous residence open permanent residence on either route.
How it differs from the other programmes
Choosing the wrong basis costs the most here. We had a case where a client was arranging a digital nomad permit while the short route ran through her child’s EU citizenship. If there is a citizen of Spain or the EU in the family, that is the first thing to check.
Compare all the programmesWhat we do
Request a call- We establish the basis and choose the procedure — the timelines follow from it.
- We run the legalisation of family documents: apostilles, sworn translations, archive requests.
- We prepare the housing report and proof of means where they are required.
- We appeal refusals: in one of our cases the decision was reversed two days after filing.
Frequently asked questions
Who counts as a family member?
Do I need to prove income?
Can I work on this status?
How long does the review take?
Current as of 13 August 2026
Other programmes
Digital Nomad permit
Remote employees and freelancers working for companies outside Spain.
Learn moreNo lucrativa permit
Those living on savings or passive income who do not plan to work.
Learn moreHighly qualified & EU Blue Card
Qualified professionals with a contract from a Spanish company.
Learn moreSelf-employment (cuenta propia)
Residents of at least a year who want to work for themselves.
Learn moreStudent visa
Those coming to study — language courses, for example.
Learn moreTell us about your situation
We reply within one business day and suggest a time for the review. A case review costs €100 and counts towards the service.