Family reunification with parents in Spain: conditions and limits

Reunification with parents in Spain: who can bring their parents

The regime depends on your status and nationality. The main barrier is shown for each case [1][2][4][8].

On other family members: family reunification in Spain and residence permit for a relative of a Spanish citizen. Families of DNV holders fall under the rules of Ley 14/2013, covered in the article on family on a DNV.

Conditions for reagrupación of parents

Among those who can be reunited, the law names first-degree ascendientes of the resident and of their spouse or partner, if they depend on the resident, are over 65 and there are reasons to allow them to live in Spain. Parents under 65 are reunited only on humanitarian grounds [2][1]. The other conditions [1][3]:

• the resident holds larga duración or larga duración-UE: the application can be filed once you have applied for larga duración, but the parents’ permit is issued only after you obtain it [1];
• the resident’s funds are at least 150% of IPREM for a family of two plus 50% for each additional person;
• suitable housing: a report from the regional authority or, where so decided, the ayuntamiento, no older than six months on the application date;
• health insurance for the resident and for the family members being reunited;
• the family members being reunited have no criminal record, pose no threat to public order and are not bound by a commitment not to return (compromiso de no retorno);
• the fee has been paid.

The parents must not be in Spain irregularly; this is stated directly in the requirements of the information sheet [3]. So the process usually starts abroad, with a visa.

What “dependent” means and how to prove it

Dependency (a cargo) means real, stable and lasting support: not one-off transfers and not an arrangement set up to get the permit [1]. The criteria are in article 196 of the Reglamento. Dependency is presumed if, over the previous year, at least 51% of the country of origin’s GDP per capita, according to the World Bank, was transferred to or spent on the parent. There is a separate requirement for the person providing support: household income at 100% of the non-contributory pension amount (130% if the household has more than two people) or stable assets worth at least three times the annual amount of that income. The household must also not be receiving the ingreso mínimo vital [1].

Without any calculation, dependency is presumed if the parent is over 80, has several chronic illnesses with severe loss of function, or the resident has a recognised dependency status [1]. In a judgment of 8 July 2026, the Tribunal Supremo struck out the words requiring dependency to be “in the country of origin”, to the extent that they prevent proving dependency for a parent who is already in Spain [7].

Humanitarian grounds are listed in article 196.6: war or a serious social situation in the country, disasters, serious chronic illnesses, recognised dependency of the resident or their close relatives, a couple of parents where the other parent is over 65 and has already been granted a permit, a parent caring for minors or dependants, and other cases with a favourable report from the director general [1].

Procedure and timelines: from application to TIE

1. Obtain larga duración (how to count the period: permanent residence in Spain; what the difference is: larga duración and larga duración-UE).
2. In Catalonia, request the housing report. The Ayuntamiento prepares the proposal, the Generalitat issues the report, it is valid for no more than six months, and the Generalitat abolished its fee for the report in 2025 [6].
3. File the application on form EX-02 at the Oficina de Extranjería or electronically. Documents for your parents: proof that over the last year you sent them money or paid their expenses, the reasons for them to live in Spain, humanitarian grounds if any, and health cover. Fee: modelo 790, code 052, item 2.1.2 [3].
4. A decision is made within two months; silence means refusal [1][3].
5. After approval, the parents have two months to apply for a visa at the consulate. The consulate decides within a month, there is a month to collect the visa and another month to enter Spain [3].
6. Within a month of entering, the parent applies for the TIE in person [3].

The first card is usually tied to yours: if you have larga duración, the first permit is valid until the expiry date of your TIE, but for at least a year [1].

What parents get after arrival

The Reglamento names a right to work for a spouse and children, but reunited parents do not get one automatically [1]. Article 69.6 allows an independent permit if the parent has obtained a work permit [1]. Reunited parents can bring over their own relatives only after larga duración and with sufficient funds [2]. Renewal follows the general conditions, as long as you keep your status and the reunification conditions are still met [1].

Parents of a Spanish citizen, of an EU citizen and parents already in Spain

Spanish citizen. Article 94.1.e of the Reglamento: first-degree ascendientes and the spouse’s ascendientes, if they depend on you and have no family support in their country of origin, or if there are humanitarian grounds. There is no age threshold, the permit is issued for five years, and the procedure is free [1][4]. Dependency is assessed under article 196, as explained in SEM instruction 2/2025 [5]. From 16 April 2026, Real Decreto 316/2026 allows you to apply in Spain if both you and your parent are here [1]. The Tribunal Supremo judgment of 8 July 2026 also annulled automatic refusal on criminal record grounds without an individual assessment in situations covered by article 20 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU [7].

Citizen of another EU country. Real Decreto 240/2007 covers direct ascendientes who are dependent [8].

Parents already in Spain. Without a visa and leaving the country, reagrupación is closed to them: the information sheet requires that they are not in Spain irregularly [3]. If a parent has lived in Spain for at least two years, arraigo social is possible. Among the required ties, article 127.c names first-degree relatives in the direct line who are foreign residents, and the ministry requires the resident to have funds of 100% of IPREM plus another 100% for the applicant [1][9]. More: arraigo social.

Common mistakes

• Planning to bring parents over while holding a DNV or no lucrativa. Reagrupación of parents becomes available only after larga duración [2].
• Confusing a visit with residence. A Schengen visa does not give a visitor the right to live in Spain. What you can and cannot do during the visa-free period is covered in the article how long you can stay in Spain without a residence permit.
• Proving dependency with one-off transfers. The law requires real and lasting support [1].
• Forgetting the housing report. It takes a month to prepare and is valid for no more than six months [1][6].
• Overlooking health insurance. It is needed for the resident and for every family member being reunited [1].
• Applying for a parent under 65 without humanitarian grounds. Without them, refusal is likely [2].

When you need an individual review and how we help

An individual review is needed if your parent is between 60 and 65 and you are relying on humanitarian grounds, if support has been irregular, if the parent is already in Spain, or if your status is on the line between temporary and permanent residence or you have dual nationality. The ReloVictory team helps you understand which regime is open to you, gather proof of dependency, prepare the housing report and put the document package together with a lawyer. We are not responsible for how long authorities take to reply. Book: consultation, section family. The overall scheme for families is in the family route card, and the steps after moving are in the section residence permit in Barcelona.

Frequently asked questions

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ReloVictory · Sources reviewed 02.10.2026 · Not a substitute for individual legal advice.