What it is: Family reunification (reagrupación familiar) lets a non-EU citizen who already holds legal residence in Spain sponsor certain close relatives so they can join them on a dependent temporary residence authorization. It is a separate route from being sponsored by an EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen, which instead follows the EU-family residence card process.

Who can sponsor: The Spain-based sponsor normally needs to have lived legally in Spain for at least one year and have requested authorization to reside for at least another year, subject to the official exceptions. The sponsor must also show adequate housing, sufficient regular means and health insurance for the sponsor and the family members being reunited.

Eligible relatives: Qualifying relatives can include a spouse or partner — including a properly proven stable unregistered partner where the official conditions are met — children and represented persons in the stated categories, and certain dependent ascendants or other specifically listed relatives.

How the process runs: The sponsor files the reunification application in Spain. Once it is approved, the family member applies for their entry visa at a Spanish consulate abroad, travels to Spain, and then completes the TIE card step to receive their residence card.

Practical note: Processing commonly takes several months, and supporting documents such as birth or marriage certificates usually need an apostille and a sworn Spanish translation before they are accepted.