Good to know · Family
Family reunification (reagrupación familiar) for relatives of residents
Family reunification is the procedure by which a foreign resident in Spain asks the Oficina de Extranjería to authorize a spouse or partner, children or dependent parents to join them, followed by a family visa at the consulate abroad.
- Why it matters
- If a US citizen already holds a Spanish residence permit and wants family to join, this is the general route; it is separate from the route for family of EU or Spanish citizens (GLIFE-0105).
- When
- You hold temporary residence in Spain (for at least a year) and want a spouse, partner, child or dependent parent to live with you.
- How long it takes
- Spanish authorization: 2 months. Visa: consulate decision within 1 month per Ministry sheet; Houston page says about 2 months overall. Authorization valid until the sponsor’s permit end date (minimum one year).
- Official page
- Hoja 8 - Temporary residence by family reunification
- Last checked
- 7 Oct 2026
In the guide: the 5 steps, what to bring (4 items), and tips and what to watch for, with every official source.