Family members of an Indian resident in Spain join through family reunification (reagrupación familiar). The sponsor, who must hold a renewed residence permit or a highly qualified, Blue Card or long-term permit, applies at the Oficina de Extranjería showing income of 150 per cent of the IPREM, EUR 900 a month in 2026, plus 50 per cent (EUR 300) for each further relative, and a housing report. The office decides within 45 days, the relative applies at BLS International for the EUR 80 national visa within two months, and the TIE card follows within 30 days of arrival.
The short version with the price card and checklist is on the Spain family visa route page. This article is the long version: who counts as family, how the income and housing tests are calculated, the apostille and translation, the timeline and the reasons applications are refused.
Who qualifies for family reunification in Spain?
The Spain family reunification visa is open when the sponsor holds a residence authorisation already renewed (at least one year of legal residence) or a highly qualified professional, EU Blue Card, researcher or long-term permit, which qualify at once. Eligible relatives are:
| Family member | Conditions | Sponsor's income | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spouse or registered partner | Marriage or partnership valid and recognised; not separated; unregistered partners with proof of cohabitation | 150 per cent IPREM: EUR 900 a month | One spouse only |
| Children under 18 | Of either spouse; other parent's consent if not travelling | +50 per cent IPREM (EUR 300) each | Disabled adult children also eligible |
| Parents over 65 | Dependent on the sponsor; sponsor holds long-term residence (or humanitarian grounds) | +50 per cent IPREM each | Proof of transfers and dependency |
| Children under guardianship | Legal representation recognised | +50 per cent IPREM each | Court documents apostilled |
The relative must have no criminal record in India or Spain and no entry ban. Spain recognises registered partnerships and, with proof of cohabitation, unregistered partners, which is unusual in Europe and helps Indian couples who have not married. Highly qualified and Blue Card families usually avoid this route altogether, because they apply with the worker through the UGE, as explained in the Spain work visa guide.
How are the income and housing tests calculated?
The income test under the 2025 regulation (RD 1155/2024) is 150 per cent of the IPREM for a family of two, EUR 900 a month in 2026 with the IPREM at EUR 600, plus 50 per cent of the IPREM (EUR 300) for each additional relative: EUR 1,200 for a spouse and one child, EUR 1,500 for a spouse and two children. Income is shown with the last six payslips, the employment contract, the annual tax return and bank statements; a cohabiting spouse's income counts, and self-employed sponsors show the tax return and quarterly filings.
The housing report (informe de vivienda adecuada) from the regional government or the town hall certifies that the dwelling has enough rooms and services for the family. It takes two to eight weeks and is the step most often started too late; a studio flat will not carry a family of four.
Which documents need the apostille?
Indian marriage and birth certificates must carry the apostille of the Ministry of External Affairs and a sworn Spanish translation by a traductor jurado. Marriages registered after the sponsor moved to Spain may prompt a consular interview and a request for evidence of the relationship: photographs, travel records and communication logs. Adult relatives also need an apostilled and translated police clearance certificate from India and any country of residence in the last five years, and a medical certificate stating no disease under the 2005 International Health Regulations.
How much does it cost?
| Item | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Reunification authorisation (tasa 052) | About EUR 10 to 20 per relative | Paid by the sponsor in Spain |
| National visa (Indian nationals) | EUR 80 per person | Paid in INR at BLS; not refunded |
| BLS International service fee | About INR 1,700 | Per application |
| TIE card (tasa 790-012) | About EUR 16 | Within 30 days of arrival |
| Housing report | EUR 0 to 40 | Regional or municipal |
| MEA apostille and sworn translation | INR 50 per document plus agency fees; EUR 30 to 60 per page | Marriage, birth, dependency documents |
Vistolane charges the EUR 80 visa fee per person at the official rate and shows the apostille, translation and TIE costs separately on the Spain destination page.
How does the application run?
- Legalise the relationship documents: MEA apostille and sworn Spanish translation of marriage, birth and dependency documents.
- The sponsor obtains the housing report from the regional government or town hall, two to eight weeks.
- The sponsor applies for the reunification authorisation at the Oficina de Extranjería or online with payslips, tax return, contract, permit, housing report and health cover; tasa 052; decision in 45 days.
- The relative applies for the national visa at BLS International within two months of the authorisation with the form, photo, passport, apostilled PCC (adults), medical certificate and legalised certificates; pays EUR 80; about one month.
- The relative enters Spain within three months of issue, applies for the TIE within 30 days and registers at the town hall; work is allowed from arrival.
How long does it take?
| Stage | Typical time | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Apostille and translation | 2 to 6 weeks | In India and Spain |
| Housing report | 2 to 8 weeks | Regional or municipal inspection |
| Authorisation | 45 days by law; 6 to 12 weeks in practice | Oficina de Extranjería |
| Visa at BLS | About 1 month | Booked within 2 months of the authorisation |
| TIE card | Apply within 30 days; card in 30 to 45 days | Receipt allows work |
Plan four to eight months from first step to arrival, longer in Madrid and Barcelona. The reunification route is for sponsors in the general regime, students who have switched to work after the route in the Spain student visa guide, and long-term residents.
What happens after arrival?
Reunited spouses and adult children may work for any employer or as self-employed from arrival, children attend state schools free and the family joins the public health system through the sponsor's social security. Permits are renewed with the sponsor's; after the first renewal a spouse can obtain an independent authorisation by showing their own income, and children do so at 18. After five years of legal residence family members obtain long-term residence, and the spouse of a Spanish citizen can apply for citizenship after one year of marriage and residence; Indian law requires renunciation of Indian citizenship on naturalisation.
Why are Spain family visas refused, and what fixes each reason?
Income below the threshold. The sponsor earns under EUR 900 a month plus EUR 300 per extra relative, or the income is irregular. Add a cohabiting spouse's income or wait for six months of payslips at the required level.
Housing report negative or missing. The dwelling is too small or no inspection took place. Obtain the report for a suitable dwelling before applying.
Certificates not legalised. No apostille or sworn translation. Apostille through the MEA and use a traductor jurado; Vistolane arranges both.
Sponsor not yet eligible. The initial permit has not been renewed and the sponsor is not a highly qualified or Blue Card holder. Wait for the first renewal, or have the employer move the worker to the HQP route.
Visa applied for late. The BLS appointment fell more than two months after the authorisation. Book BLS as soon as the authorisation is notified.
How Vistolane files it
Vistolane arranges the apostille and sworn translations, supports the sponsor's application and housing report, files the EUR 80 visa for each relative at BLS at the official rate and books the TIE appointment after arrival. Start with the free eligibility check or the Spain family visa route page. Families comparing European options can read the Italy family reunification guide and the Germany spouse and family reunion visa guide.
