Renewing a family-reunification permit when your sponsor's situation changes

Key rules

• Sponsor's status: Your renewal depends on your sponsor still holding valid residence.
• Means: Your sponsor's means are checked again at renewal, and your own income or work may count instead.
• Own permit: If your sponsor dies, you divorce or separate, or you face gender violence, you may be able to seek an independent permit.
• Loss of status: If your sponsor loses status and you have no other route, your renewal may be refused.

Your renewal depends on your sponsor

A family-reunification permit is tied to your sponsor. When you renew, you are renewing as their dependant, so your sponsor's situation is checked again. If it has changed, your renewal can be affected.

Three things depend on your sponsor:

• Residence. Your sponsor must still hold valid residence in Spain.
• Means. Your sponsor's income is re-assessed to show they can still support the family. The test uses a threshold linked to IPREM, a public index that changes every year. The threshold depends on family size.
• Housing. Adequate housing is a requirement for the first reunification. At renewal, the focus is mainly on continued means.

If you have your own income or work, you may be able to show that instead of relying only on your sponsor's.

What to prepare

You need papers from both of you. Your sponsor provides their residence permit, proof of work or income, tax returns and proof of housing. You provide family documents that show your relationship, proof that you live together where relevant, your passport, the application form and proof you paid the fee. The documents list below has the full set.

Requirements can differ from case to case under the newer rules. Ask the immigration office handling your renewal what applies to you before you apply.

If your sponsor's situation changes

If your sponsor loses their status, your renewal may be refused unless you have another route. Look at the options before your permit expires.

• You have held your family permit for a set time. You may be able to apply for your own residence permit. You will usually need conditions such as an employment contract.
• Your sponsor has died, or you are a victim of gender violence. Independent permits are available sooner.
• You have divorced or separated. You may get independent residence if you meet the conditions, such as a minimum period of residence.

The periods and conditions depend on your case. Check them with the immigration office or a lawyer before you decide. The decision block below helps you choose between renewing as a dependant and applying for your own permit.

Choosing between options

Should you renew as a dependant or apply for your own residence permit?

• Renew as a dependant: Your sponsor still holds valid residence and meets the income test, so your renewal follows their status.

• Apply for an independent permit: You have held your family permit long enough and meet conditions such as an employment contract, or your sponsor has died or you are a victim of gender violence.

• Apply for an independent permit after divorce or separation: Your sponsor relationship has ended and you meet conditions such as a minimum period of residence.

If your sponsor keeps their status and means, renew as a dependant. If that status ends or the relationship changes, check whether you qualify for your own permit, because without one your renewal may be refused.

Documents you need

• Your sponsor's valid residence permit, showing they still hold residence

• Proof of your sponsor's employment or income, such as a work contract or payslips

• Your sponsor's tax returns

• Proof of your sponsor's housing, such as a rental contract or property deed

• Family documents showing your relationship to your sponsor, plus proof you live together where relevant

• Your passport, the application form and proof you paid the fee

• If you apply for your own permit after a sponsor change, an employment contract or the papers that show your situation, such as a death or separation record

Frequently asked questions

Can I get my own residence permit if my sponsor dies?

Yes, if your sponsor dies, you can apply for an independent residence permit sooner than other dependants can. The same faster route exists in cases of gender violence. Ask your immigration office which conditions apply to your case.

Does my sponsor's housing get checked again at renewal?

Mostly no, because adequate housing is a requirement for the first reunification, and renewal focuses on continued means. Your sponsor's income is re-assessed against a threshold tied to IPREM, Spain's public income index, and it depends on family size.

Can I use my own income instead of my sponsor's at renewal?

Yes, if you work or have independent means, you may show those instead of your sponsor's. Bring proof such as an employment contract or income records with your renewal file.

What happens if my sponsor loses their status and I have no other option?

Your renewal may be refused if your sponsor loses status and you do not qualify for an independent permit. Check early whether you meet the conditions for your own permit, such as an employment contract.