What the sponsor and each family member must satisfy for Spanish family reunification — residence, income, housing, eligibility and health cover. We help with the insurance part only.
Overview
Family reunification requires a qualifying sponsor (legal residence, stable income, adequate housing), a documented family relationship, and health insurance for each member joining. Exact thresholds change, so confirm current rules with the authorities; we arrange the Sanitas cover and certificate.
Family reunification rests on a qualifying sponsor in Spain and a qualifying family relationship. Beyond that, the conditions cover income, housing and health cover, with extra evidence for partners, adult children and parents. This page sets out each requirement; confirm the exact rules for your case with the authorities or a qualified immigration specialist.
If the family member you are joining is an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen rather than a non-EU resident, you usually need the tarjeta comunitaria (EU family member card) instead — a different, often simpler route. See tarjeta comunitaria vs family reunification.
Sponsor
The sponsor generally must hold legal residence, have lived in Spain for a qualifying period — commonly at least one year — and be eligible to renew. Reunifying parents may require longer-term or permanent residence. Throughout, the sponsor must be able to support the family without recourse to public funds.
Income & housing
You must show stable income above an IPREM-based threshold that rises with each additional family member — see income requirements — and adequate accommodation, usually via an official housing-suitability report (request it early). Both are assessed relative to the size of the household you are forming.
Who qualifies
A marriage certificate (apostilled and sworn-translated). The most straightforward relationship to evidence. See bringing your spouse.
Can qualify with registration and/or evidence of a genuine, ongoing relationship — stricter proof than marriage.
Minor children of the sponsor or spouse, with birth certificates and custody/consent where relevant. See bringing your children.
Adult children may qualify where genuine dependency (study, lack of means, incapacity) is shown and evidenced.
Usually 65+ and financially dependent, often requiring the sponsor’s longer-term residence. See bringing your parents.
Insurance
For family reunification, each family member joining you in Spain normally needs their own health cover, on a policy that names every person with the right certificate wording. We arrange Sanitas family cover and get the certificate right — we do not handle the visa application itself.
See family reunification health insurance for what the certificate must show, or get a quote.
Vs EU card
If you are joining an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen, the requirements are different and usually lighter — you would use the tarjeta comunitaria, which does not apply the IPREM income test or housing report in the same way. See the full comparison.
Avoid these
See the documents checklist, income requirements and the tarjeta comunitaria comparison.
Important information
Tell us your family makeup and we will prepare Sanitas cover that names each member for the application. We help with the health-insurance part of your application. Acceptance and exact policy terms depend on the insurer’s rules; visa decisions rest with the Spanish authorities.
English-speaking Sanitas specialists can help with the health-insurance part of your visa or residency application.
FAQs
Common questions about this Spanish visa route and the health-insurance requirement. Always confirm current rules with the official authorities or a qualified immigration specialist.