A foreign national living legally in Spain can, under certain conditions, bring their family to join them (reagrupación familiar). The Immigration Regulation approved by Royal Decree 1155/2024, in force since 20 May 2025, reorganised this procedure. Article 67 of the Regulation sets several requirements for the applicant (reagrupante); in practice, the ones that cause the most problems are sufficient income and adequate housing.
Who can apply and who can be brought
As a rule, the applicant must have lived in Spain for at least one year and must have obtained, or applied for, authorisation to stay for at least one more year. There are some exceptions for long-term residents. For permits under Law 14/2013, such as those for highly qualified professionals, digital nomads or entrepreneurs, family members can apply together with the main applicant; those permits follow their own rules.
The family members who can be brought are:
- A spouse over 18, or a partner in a relationship similar to marriage (the relationship must be registered or proven by at least 12 months of living together)
- Children under 18, and adult children with a disability who need support or who cannot provide for themselves because of their health
- Parents over 65 who are dependent on the applicant; for this, the applicant must hold long-term residence or have applied for it
- An adult child who will act as carer, if the applicant's dependency has been officially recognised
Income: how much is needed?
The applicant must have regular and stable means sufficient to support themselves and their family. The benchmark is the IPREM index. As of 2025, the monthly IPREM is €600, and the required amounts are calculated as follows:
- For a household of two (the applicant and one family member), 150% of the IPREM, i.e. €900 per month
- For each additional family member, 50% of the IPREM, i.e. a further €300 per month
- For example, someone bringing their spouse and two children needs a total of €1,500 per month
The following rules apply to the calculation:
- Salaries are counted gross, including the monthly share of extra payments; for self-employment, net earnings are used
- Pensions and other regular payments count as income
- For savings, the average balance over the last six months is taken into account
- Study and housing grants, social assistance and maintenance payments are excluded; maintenance counts if it is paid for the person being brought
- The income of a spouse, partner or first-degree relative who lives in Spain and in the same household can be added
When children are being brought, the required amount can be reduced if the best interests of the child call for it. In that case, the benchmark for a household of two, one of whom is a minor, is 110% of the annual amount of the Minimum Living Income (Ingreso Mínimo Vital), plus 10% for each additional child.
Housing: what counts as adequate?
The applicant must have adequate housing for themselves and their family. The new Regulation links adequate housing to the definition in Housing Law 12/2023; where regional housing legislation sets different rules, those prevail. The standards can therefore vary from region to region.
Adequacy is shown with a report (informe de adecuación de vivienda) from the social services of the Autonomous Community or, where the region has delegated this, the local council. The following rules apply to the report:
- It must be issued within one month of the request; if it is not, the applicant can document the delay and prove adequacy by other means
- It must be no more than six months old on the date of the application
- It must cover the document giving the right to occupy the home (title deed or tenancy agreement), the number of rooms, the use of each room, the number of people living there and the habitability and equipment conditions
The report is not binding, but if the authorities decide differently they must explain why. The title deed or tenancy agreement can be in the name of the applicant or of a family member living in the same household.
Other requirements
- Health insurance for the applicant and the family members being brought
- Any school-age children already in Spain must be enrolled in school
- No criminal record in Spain and no public order objection
- Payment of the fee
From application to visa
- The applicant files the application in person with the competent Oficina de Extranjería in Spain
- The authorities have two months to decide; if there is no answer in that time, the application is deemed refused
- After approval, the family member obtains a visa from the Spanish consulate in Türkiye; the permit takes effect once the visa has been issued and the person has entered Spain within the one-month period stated in the decision
- A reunited spouse, partner or working-age child can work without any further procedure
When to get advice
Where income comes from abroad, from several sources or from self-employment, the calculation can turn out differently from what it first seems. If the tenancy agreement is in another family member's name, if other people also live in the home, or if the housing report has not been issued within one month, reviewing the file before applying reduces the risk of refusal. The apostille and sworn translation of marriage and birth certificates from Türkiye also need to be built into the timetable.
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This article is for general information and is not legal advice. Legislation and case law may have changed since it was written.