General Regime · Family & Immigration
When Spain is home.And it should be for your family too.
There is a specific residence route for certain family members of Spanish nationals. It should not be confused with ordinary family reunification (reagrupación familiar under the general immigration regime).
Since the new Reglamento de Extranjería (the Immigration Regulations, Royal Decree 1155/2024), there has been a separate regime for the family members of Spanish citizens, with its own categories, requirements and procedure.
Analyse my situation
Subject to fulfilment of the applicable legal requirements.
The family
Who may qualify?
Depending on the circumstances, the following may be included:
- spouses
- registered partners (pareja registrada)
- duly evidenced stable partners (pareja estable)
- children under certain ages, or adult children who are dependants
- certain ascendants (parents or grandparents)
- parents or guardians of Spanish minors
- certain family members who are dependants
- family members who care for certain dependent Spanish citizens
- children of a father or mother who is Spanish by origin
- and other cases expressly provided for
Each specific situation must be analysed individually.
The relationship is onlythe beginning.
It is not enough to show that a relationship exists.
Depending on the case, it will be necessary to prove:
family relationship
cohabitation
dependency
age
family situation
custody
disability or need for support
or the specific circumstances required
For stable partners (pareja estable), for example, the regulations take as a reference cohabitation akin to marriage for at least twelve continuous months, unless the couple have children together and the relationship continues.
Documentation
International files call for particular documentary care.
We analyse:
- birth certificates
- marriage
- partnerships
- parentage
- custody
- dependency
- foreign judgments
- disability documentation
- and the other documents required
Foreign public documents must, where applicable, bear an Apostille (1961 Hague Convention) or consular legalisation, and be accompanied by the corresponding traducción jurada (official sworn translation).
A document is only useful when it is valid for the procedure.
Procedure
The application may vary depending on where the Spanish citizen is and where the foreign family member is.
The following may be involved:
- the Immigration Office (Oficina de Extranjería)
- the Spanish consulate
- or the relevant online channel
In certain cases the application can be made from Spain. In others, it will be necessary to coordinate the permit and then the visa.
The official decision period is two months, with the consequences that the law attaches to silencio administrativo (administrative silence: if that period expires without a decision, the application is deemed granted or refused as the law provides).
Duration
The permit may be valid for up to five years, depending on the case and the circumstances.
In addition, while it is valid it allows the holder, subject to the legal conditions, to reside and work in Spain, whether employed (por cuenta ajena) or self-employed (por cuenta propia), without needing a separate work permit.
What comes next
Five years can changea family’s future.
That is why we do not only analyse how to obtain the permit. We also analyse what comes next.
Our role
From the first analysis.
- 01We identifythe right route.
- 02We reviewthe relationship.
- 03We organisethe documents.
- 04We anticipateconsular problems.
- 05We preparethe file.
- 06We coordinatethe different stages.
And we plan:
We do not just open the door. We plan what comes next.
We can analyse your family’s situation before you file anything.
Speak to our teamGeneral information updated to August 2026, in accordance with Articles 93 to 98 of Royal Decree 1155/2024 and the official information published by the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration. Requirements, documentation and procedures may vary according to the applicant’s personal and family situation and the legislation in force when the application is filed. This information is general in nature and does not constitute individual legal advice.