How to bring your partner to Spain: routes by situation

• The route depends on who lives in Spain, the relationship and where the foreign partner is.
• Non-EU residents may use family reunification under the general regime.
• Spanish citizens must analyze the residence authorization for family members of Spanish nationals.
• EU, EEA or Swiss citizens may use the EU family member card.
• Holders of Law 14/2013 authorizations may have a specific family route.

Before choosing a procedure

Bringing your partner to Spain is not always done through the same route. The correct procedure depends on three factors: who you are in Spain, what legal relationship you have with your partner and where your partner is when the process starts.

The answer changes if you are a non-EU foreign resident, a Spanish national, an EU citizen or the holder of a Law 14/2013 authorization. It also changes if your partner is your spouse, registered partner or an unregistered stable partner.

Possible routes include:

• family reunification under the general regime;
• authorization for family members of a Spanish national;
• residence card for family members of an EU citizen;
• authorization linked to international mobility.

What it means to bring your partner

The goal is to obtain an authorization that allows your partner to live legally with you in Spain. Depending on the procedure, the process may begin in Spain, at the Spanish consulate abroad, or in both phases.

The partner may be a spouse, a registered partner or an unregistered stable partner. The last option requires stronger evidence because it is not enough to show a romantic relationship; the relationship must be real, stable and comparable to couple cohabitation.

Main routes

If you are a non-EU resident

The usual route is family reunification under the general regime. You act as the sponsor and your partner as the reunited family member. Normally the application starts before the Immigration Office in Spain; if approved, your partner requests the visa at the Spanish consulate and later applies for the card in Spain.

Main requirements include proving the relationship, sufficient financial means, adequate housing and valid documents, legalized or apostilled where needed.

If you are Spanish

The case must usually be analyzed as a temporary residence authorization for family members of Spanish nationals. It may apply to a spouse, registered partner or stable unregistered partner when the relationship can be proven properly.

If your partner is abroad, visa needs must be reviewed. If your partner is already in Spain, the possibility of applying from Spain depends on the evidence and situation.

If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen

Your non-EU partner may apply for the residence card for family members of an EU citizen, if the requirements are met. In addition to the relationship, documents about financial means, health insurance or activity in Spain may be required.

Do not confuse tourist entry with residence as an EU family member. Even if the person can enter without a visa, the file must prove that the requirements are met.

If your partner is already in Spain

The analysis changes. The aim may be to document or regularize the person's residence rather than bring them from abroad. Depending on the circumstances, the correct route may be the authorization for relatives of Spanish nationals, the EU family-member residence card, family reunification or another route such as arraigo familiar.

Documents to prepare

Common documents include passports, the sponsor's identity or residence document, a marriage certificate or evidence of the partnership, empadronamiento (registration on the municipal padrón), proof of financial means, health insurance where required, and any necessary legalized or apostilled foreign documents and sworn translations.

Choosing the wrong route can lead to delays, requests for additional documents or an avoidable refusal.

• Using only photos or chats to prove an unregistered stable partnership.