Visa Guide
Join your spouse, parent, or family member who is already a legal resident in Spain
What you need to earn
Sponsor must show 150% of the monthly IPREM (€900/month) for a two-person unit, plus 50% of IPREM (€300/month) per additional member
How long it takes
- Processing Not published by the administration; varies by province and consulate (estimate)
- Initial duration 1 year
- Renewals 4 years
- Total possible 5 years to long-term residency (RD 1155/2024 art. 71.6 sets the renewal at 4 years)
What it gets you
- Full work authorisation upon arrival
- Join family already in Spain
- Path to long-term residency after 5 years
- Access to Spanish social services
- Standard Spanish progressive tax rates
The parts people miss
- Sponsor must have 1+ year legal residency
- Housing report (informe de vivienda) required, can take weeks
- Income requirement is set as a multiple of IPREM, which has not risen since 2023
- Processing times vary significantly by consulate
- Must maintain the family relationship (marriage must be valid)
Whether you can work
Full work authorization upon arrival
Figures current for 2026. Spanish income thresholds move each February with the minimum wage.
