Parastoo Legal Group
Family Reunification in Spain: How to Bring Your Family from the Middle East
A complete guide to reuniting your family in Spain once you hold a Spanish residence permit.
Once you have obtained a Spanish residence permit — whether a Non-Lucrative Visa, Digital Nomad Visa, Golden Visa, or work permit — you have the right to apply for family reunification to bring your spouse, children, and in some cases dependent parents to live with you in Spain. Parastoo Legal Group has guided hundreds of Middle Eastern families through this process.
Who Can Be Reunified?
Eligible family members include: your spouse or registered partner, children under 18 (or over 18 if dependent and unable to provide for themselves due to a disability), and your parents or your spouse's parents if they are financially dependent on you and over 65 years old. All family members must meet basic requirements including health insurance and accommodation.
Eligibility Requirements for the Main Applicant
To sponsor family members, you must have held a valid Spanish residence permit for at least one year, have renewed for (or be able to renew for) at least another year, demonstrate sufficient economic means (based on family size — approximately €600–900/month per additional family member), and have adequate housing for the family.
Documents Required for Each Family Member
Each family member must provide: a valid passport, proof of family relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificates — all apostilled and translated into Spanish), criminal background certificate from their country of origin (apostilled and translated), and health insurance valid in Spain. We handle all translations and apostilles for documents from Middle Eastern countries.
Process and Timeline
The application is submitted at the immigration office in Spain (Oficina de Extranjería). Processing times vary by region, typically 3–6 months. Family members can remain in their home country during processing or, in some cases, apply at the Spanish Consulate. Upon approval, they receive a Visa de Residencia por Reagrupación Familiar and must then obtain their TIE in Spain.
Children in Spanish Schools
Children who arrive through family reunification have the right to attend Spanish public schools regardless of their immigration status. We advise families on school enrolment, language support programmes, and the practical aspects of settling children into life in Spain.