Family reunification is the legal procedure in which a non-European citizen brings another non-European citizen to Spain and, through him/her, grants him/her a residence and work permit.

Which family members can be reunited?

Parents and in-laws

• The first thing you should know is that to bring your parents or any other family member to Spain you must hold a long-term visa or residence permit. That is, you must have lived in Spain for at least five years.
• Your parents must be over 65 years of age and you must prove that they are dependent or in need of assistance. If they are in full use of their physical and mental faculties the permit is not granted.
• You must prove that they are financially dependent on you.
• You must prove, through the birth certificate, the family relationship.
• Through the same procedure you will be able to bring your in-laws. You will only have to add the marriage certificate with your spouse to the rest of the documentation.

Children

Children must be under 18 years of age. In the case of adult children, you must prove that they are disabled or financially dependent on you.

Spouse or domestic partner

• If the marriage is registered in the Civil Registry, you will be able to regroup your spouse. If there is no marital relationship, you must provide the certificate of incorporation of the unmarried partner.
• In the latter case, you must prove that it is not a union of convenience. You will have to provide a joint rental contract or a joint census certificate showing how long you have been living together.

Requirements for family reunification

• Family reunification is for non-European citizens. If you are a national of a member country of the European Union, you must apply for a visa as a family member of an EU citizen.
• You must be a resident in Spain. You cannot apply if you reside in any other EU country.
• You must demonstrate that you have sufficient financial means to support the reunited relative; and that the reunited relative does not have sufficient means to live without your financial support. This is done by providing a bank account, a pays lip if you are employed, or a tax return if you are self-employed, among other documents.
• If you are not working, you will have to provide a certificate of private medical insurance with full coverage in the whole Spanish territory for the family member you are going to reunite.
• If you have an employment contract, this procedure is not necessary since you are in the Social Security system.
• You must prove that you live in a place that meets the necessary conditions to host your family member. To do this, you will have to request a suitable housing report from the city council of the city where you live.
• Depending on the time it takes to gather the required documentation, the family reunification process takes between four and five months to be resolved. Keep in mind that you file the application as the applicant at the Immigration Office, but the family member you wish to bring to Spain must be in his or her country.

If you need more information about family reunification and its procedure, schedule an appointment with us. In Duguech&Dip we have more than ten years of experience in visa procedures and residence and work permits in Spain. Call us.

Since legal advice must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case, and laws are constantly changing, nothing on this article should be used as a substitute for the advice of competent legal counsel. The content on this article is offered only as information. And does not constitute solicitation or provision of legal advice. You should always consult a suitably qualified lawyer regarding any specific legal problem or matter.

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