The income test for reunification: how much and what counts

Key rules

• Funds: You must show income of 150% of IPREM for the first relative, plus 50% for each additional relative.

How much income you need

The target is a share of IPREM, the public income index, which is 600 EUR a month. Your income is counted over the year. One relative needs 900 EUR a month (10,800 EUR a year), two relatives 1,200 EUR a month (14,400 EUR a year), three relatives 1,500 EUR a month (18,000 EUR a year). Parents count as relatives like any other. IPREM is revised every year, so recalculate with the current figure.

What counts as income

Regular income from any of these sources can count:

• Pay from employment.
• Income from self-employment.
• Pensions.
• Income from capital or property, such as rent or investments.
• Other regular income.

The immigration office wants to see that your income is enough and also stable.

Which period is checked

The office looks at the full year before you file; gather proof of your income for that year.

If you are self-employed

Your net income, after expenses, is what counts, not your turnover.

Documents you need

• Recent payslips from your employer, covering the full year before you file.
• Your employment contract, if you are employed.
• Your latest income tax return (IRPF).
• Bank statements showing your income arriving over the full year before you file.
• A certificate of pensions, if you receive a pension.
• If you are self-employed: proof of your Social Security (RETA) contribution payments.
• If you are self-employed: your quarterly tax filings (modelo 130 or 303).
• If you are self-employed: proof that you are up to date with tax and Social Security obligations. Invoices can back this up.

If your income falls short

Add your partner's income. If your spouse or partner lives in Spain, their income can be added to yours to reach the threshold. They prove it the same way you do, and you must live together in Spain.

Add other family income. Income of another relative who lives with you in Spain can be added the same way, proved with the same documents.

Show savings and other means. Savings and other capital count as proof of means next to your regular income, and a thin spot in one area can be balanced by another.

Raise your income first. If the total is still below the target, wait until a new contract, more months of pay or a higher pension lifts your income, then apply.

Check whether your income meets the reunification test

Work it out

Worked example. IPREM is 600 EUR a month, you want to reunify 2 people, your pay or self-employment income is 1,100 EUR a month, your other regular income (pension, property, capital) is 300 EUR a month, and your spouse or partner living with you in Spain earns 0 EUR.