Filing as a family: several applications, not one

Key rules

• Separate files: Every household member files their own application and pays their own fee.
• Linked evidence: Proof of relationship and the main applicant's documents link each family file to yours.
• One partner: You include one partner only, never alongside a spouse.
• Adult children: Only adult children who depend on you can be included.

Each person files their own application

There is no joint family file: your partner and each child file separately, each with their own form, documents and 80 EUR visa fee.

Your route decides when the family files. On a mobility route (digital nomad, entrepreneur, highly qualified, researcher, intra-company transfer) the family applies together with you or joins you later (digital nomad family). Non-lucrative applicants can include family at the same time (non-lucrative as a couple or family). An ordinary employee brings family later: family reunification applies after 1 year of residence with renewal in sight (family reunification).

Who can be included

If you are a non-EU applicant:

• Spouse: files their own application linked to yours, with the marriage certificate.
• Partner: a registered partner files with the certificate of the registered partnership (in Spain, pareja de hecho inscrita). An unregistered partner is included with proof of a stable relationship: at least 1 year living together, or a child in common.
• Children under 18: qualify as family members, proven with a birth certificate.
• Adult children: only if they depend on you financially and cannot provide for themselves because of a disability or health condition. You must show that dependency.
• Dependent parents: covered on the digital nomad route with proof of dependency; on family reunification only if you hold long-term residence.

If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen: your family

Your family members from outside the EU apply for the EU family residence card, each with their own proof (the family of a Spanish citizen follows its own rules):

• Spouse: automatic right, proved by the marriage certificate.
• Registered partner: automatic right, proved by the certificate of the partnership entered in a public register.
• Unregistered partner: no automatic right; Spain facilitates entry on proof of a durable relationship, at least 12 months living together or a child together.
• Child under 21, or older and dependent on you: automatic right, proved by the birth certificate and, for a dependant, proof of dependence.
• Dependent parent: automatic right once they show with documents that they depend on you.
• Other dependent relative: no automatic right; Spain facilitates entry case by case, and they must prove they depend on you.

Booking and attending appointments

Many consulates let family members book one after another, or in the same slot, if the system allows a group booking. Others make each person book individually, and you then try to pick adjacent slots. Your consulate's website explains its method.

Children attend with a parent or legal guardian (consulate appointment).

If you have an adult child with a disability or health condition

To show your adult child depends on you, file:

• A medical report or disability certificate from the home country, apostilled and sworn-translated if it comes from a non-EU country.
• Proof that your adult child depends on you as the main applicant.

Abroad or already in Spain

Each family member files where you file: abroad at your consulate, in Spain at your province's office.

Documents you need

• Proof of relationship for each family member, such as a marriage or birth certificate, which links their file to the main applicant's.
• The main applicant's own application documents, supplied again as proof with each spouse's and child's file.
• Each family member's own form and documents.
• Proof of 1 year living together for an unregistered partner, such as a joint certificate of residence (padrón) at one address, or the birth certificate of your child naming both of you.

Foreign relationship certificates follow the same apostille, legalisation and translation rules as any foreign public document.