Family Reunification in Spain

EsjabaAbril20242-fondo beige-circle Written by Esjaba Messaoud

Lawyer, political scientist and mediator

Documents required for family reunification of an EU citizen

Official application form (EX–19) in duplicate, duly completed and signed by the EU citizen's family member.
The family member's full, valid and current passport. If the passport has expired, a copy of it and of the renewal application must be provided.
Documentation proving the existence of a family tie with the EU or European Economic Area (EEA) citizen.
In the case of an unregistered partner, documentation proving that the parties form a stable couple attesting to the existence of a lasting relationship, together with evidence of the duration of cohabitation as a couple or, where applicable, the birth certificate of any children in common.
If the applicant is a child of the EU or EEA citizen, or of their spouse or registered civil partner, and is over 21 years of age, documentation proving their status as a dependent family member.
If the applicant is a minor child not residing in Spain with both parents, documentation proving their status as a dependent family member of the EU citizen or of their spouse or registered partner.
If the applicant is an ascendant of the EU citizen or of their spouse or registered partner, documentation proving their status as a dependent family member.
National Identity Document (DNI) of the Spanish citizen, or registration certificate of the EU citizen whom the applicant is accompanying or joining.
If the applicant is another family member, documentation proving the family relationship and dependency, or proving that they were living with the EU citizen in their country of origin, or documenting serious health reasons or disability.
Depending on the status of the EU or EEA citizen:
- If they are an employee in employment: any of the following documents may be provided:
  - A declaration of employment from the employer or an employment certificate, including at minimum the name and address of the company, the tax identification number, and the Social Security contribution account code.
  - employment contract registered with the Public Employment Service, or notification of the employment arrangement and its terms via the CONTRAT@ platform.
  - Document confirming enrolment or equivalent status under the relevant Social Security scheme, or consent to verification of data held in the files of the General Social Security Treasury.
- A self-employed employee may provide any of the following documents:
  - Registration in the Census of Economic Activities.
  - Evidence of establishment by means of registration in the Commercial Registry.
  - Document confirming enrolment or equivalent status under the relevant Social Security scheme, or consent to verification of data held in the files of the General Social Security Treasury or the Tax Authority.
- If you are not engaged in any employment activity in Spain, you must provide:
  - Documentation proving that you hold public or private health insurance, taken out in Spain or in another country, provided it offers coverage in Spain during your period of residence equivalent to that provided by the National Health System. Pensioners satisfy this requirement by providing certification that they are entitled to healthcare funded by the state from which they receive their pension.
  - Documentation proving that the EU citizen and their family members have sufficient financial resources to cover their period of residence in Spain. This may be demonstrated by any legally admissible means of evidence, such as title deeds, certified cheques, documentation evidencing income from capital, or credit cards accompanied by a bank certificate confirming the available credit limit on the card.
- If you are a student, you must submit the following documentation:
  - Enrolment certificate from a public or private educational institution recognised or funded by the competent education authority.
  - Documentation proving that you hold public or private health insurance. You may provide a European Health Insurance Card valid for the duration of your period of residence, which entitles you to receive the healthcare services necessary from a medical standpoint, taking into account the nature of those services and their expected duration.
  - A signed declaration stating that you have sufficient resources for yourself and your family members for your period of residence in Spain.
  Presentation of documentary evidence of participation in a European Union programme promoting educational exchange for students and teachers shall be considered sufficient to meet these requirements.
- Three recent colour passport-sized photographs on a white background.

Important note: any documents issued in other countries must be translated into Spanish or the co-official language of the territory where the application is submitted.

Standard European Union forms do not require translation or legalisation, in accordance with the EU regulations governing them. For example: health insurance forms S1, E109, E121, etc.

Furthermore, any foreign public document must be previously legalised by the Spanish Consular Office with jurisdiction in the country where the document was issued, or alternatively by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, unless the document has been apostilled by the competent authority of the issuing country in accordance with the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961, or unless the document is exempt from legalisation by virtue of an International Convention.

For further information on the translation and legalisation of documents, please refer to the relevant information sheet.