Key Takeaways
• Only non-EU/EEA relatives of EU/EEA citizens legally in Spain can apply for this Type D Family Member visa.
• Applicants must provide legal proof of relationship, financial support, translations, and accommodation to qualify for the visa.
• The process takes 1–3 months, costs $94–$160 plus fees, and enables up to five years’ legal residence in Spain.
The Spain National (Type D) Family Member of EU/EEA Citizen Visa is a long-stay visa option designed to help close relatives of EU or EEA citizens join them in Spain 🇪🇸 for more than 90 days. This complete guide gives you a clear explanation of who can apply, the necessary paperwork, costs, timelines, the validity of this visa, and exactly how to apply step by step. If you have a spouse, partner, child, or parent who is a citizen of an EU/EEA country and living in Spain 🇪🇸, this visa is the route to family reunification.
Who Can Apply: Eligibility Criteria
The Spain National (Type D) visa for family members is available for people who are closely related to an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen. The main rules to remember are:
- You must NOT be a citizen of an EU, EEA country, or Switzerland 🇨🇭. This visa is strictly for non-EU/EEA nationals.
- You need to be a direct family member of someone who is an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen and who is already legally residing in Spain 🇪🇸.
- “Family member” in this context usually means:
- A spouse or civil partner (this includes married and legally registered partners)
- Children under 21 years old, or older children who depend financially on the parent
- Dependent parents, and sometimes dependent grandparents
Proof of relationship is essential. For example:
– Married couples must show an official marriage certificate.
– Children must have a birth certificate or legal adoption papers.
– Dependent parents or grandparents must show they are financially supported by the EU/EEA family member. This might mean proof of money transfers or bank statements showing regular support.
It is important that all official family documents are clear, valid, and, if not originally in Spanish, are officially translated. Sometimes, you need an “apostille” or official stamp that proves the document is genuine and accepted in Spain 🇪🇸.
If you cannot clearly show the relationship or dependence, your visa could be denied, so gathering and checking these documents is one of the most important parts of the process.
Document Checklist: What You Need to Prepare
You will need to prepare a set of documents to satisfy the Spanish 🇪🇸 authorities. The most common items include:
- The proper national visa application form (Type D, long stay). You can get this form from the official Spanish Consulate website.
- Recent passport-sized photographs (these should be as per the requirements set by the consulate).
- A passport that is valid for at least one more year beyond your planned entry date to Spain 🇪🇸, plus photocopies of all relevant pages.
- Official documents showing your family relationship:
- Marriage certificate for spouses or partners
- Birth certificate(s) for children
- For parents/grandparents, papers proving dependence and relationship
- All documents not in Spanish must be officially translated and sometimes legalized or apostilled.
- Private health insurance that covers you for at least a year in Spain 🇪🇸. This must fulfill the Spanish requirements.
- A doctor’s certificate to prove you do not have any illnesses considered dangerous to public health under world health rules.
- A clean criminal record certificate from your home country and any country you’ve lived in during the last five years. This paper usually must be apostilled and then officially translated to Spanish.
- Proof that the EU/EEA citizen you are joining has legal status and lives in Spain 🇪🇸 (such as a copy of their residence card, their Spanish ID or passport, or a certificate of registration).
- Evidence that you or your family member has enough money to support you. This might be in the form of bank statements. For one main applicant, you usually need to show a steady income greater than €1,330 per month, but this can rise if more people are involved.
- Proof of accommodation in Spain 🇪🇸 — such as a rental agreement, property deed, or similar.
- A cover letter that explains your purpose for reuniting and includes important details about your family life.
- Details of your travel plans — you may be asked for a copy of your flight booking or travel reservations.
- If applying as a dependent parent or grandparent, clear evidence must be provided that they have depended on the EU/EEA sponsor for financial support. Remittance receipts or money transfer slips can be helpful.
Tip: Always check the exact list of documents with your local Spanish consulate, as requirements sometimes change or can differ by location.
Application Fees: How Much It Costs
The cost of the Spain National (Type D) Family Member of EU/EEA Citizen Visa depends mainly on your nationality. As reported by VisaVerge.com, some people will not have to pay the consulate (government) fee, but everyone usually pays a small service fee for use of the visa center.
Typical fee structure:
- US citizens: About $160 for the consular fee, plus about $18 for the service center.
- Other nationalities: Usually between $94 and $124, plus about $18 for the service charge.
Note: Applicants joining or traveling with an EU citizen are often exempt from the main consular fee (depending on where you apply). You should always double-check the most current fee with the Spanish consulate in your area, as prices change and some categories may pay less or nothing at all.
Processing Time: How Long Does It Take?
After you submit all your documents, the decision usually takes between one and three months. The law says the minimum time is about 15 business days, but it’s smart to apply at least two months before you want to travel to avoid last-minute problems or delays.
In some places or busy times, it can take longer than three months. Delays can also happen if your paperwork is missing something or the authorities need to ask you for more details. It’s smart to be prepared for this just in case.
After the decision is made, you will need to pick up your visa personally at the same consulate or application center where you applied.
Validity and Renewal: How Long Is It Good For?
When you first get your Spain National (Type D) Family Member of EU/EEA Citizen Visa approved, you are allowed to enter Spain 🇪🇸 and apply for your residence rights. Usually:
- The initial residence authorization in Spain 🇪🇸 will last for up to one year.
- After you arrive and register officially, your full residence permit as a family member is often valid for five years (if you are a direct relative of an EU/EEA citizen — for example, a spouse, child, or dependent parent). For people in unregistered partnerships, it might be two years at first.
- As long as your situation doesn’t change (you stay family, and your relative remains in Spain 🇪🇸), you can renew your status. After five continuous years in Spain 🇪🇸 with legal status, you can apply for permanent residence.
If your family situation changes (for example, if a dependent child turns 21 and is no longer dependent, or a marriage ends), renewal could be affected. Always keep your documentation up to date and notify Spanish authorities of any change.
The Step-by-Step Application Process
Here’s a clear, ordered list to help you apply for the Spain National (Type D) Family Member of EU/EEA Citizen Visa:
1. Get Your Documents Together
Collect all the documents listed above. Double-check that all are up to date, correctly translated, and, if needed, carry the apostille stamp. Make both originals and several photocopies.
2. Schedule an Appointment
Visit the website of your nearest Spanish consulate or their official visa service partner (like BLS or VFS) and book an appointment. Some consulates have waiting times, so it’s best to do this early.
3. Attend Your Appointment in Person
Most consulates require you to apply in person. Bring all your forms and paperwork. You’ll give your biometrics (fingerprints and photo) and hand in your application. In some cases, you may be called for a short interview, where you will answer questions about your relationship or plans in Spain 🇪🇸.
4. Pay the Required Fees
Pay the visa application fee and service charge. Keep your payment slip or receipt. If you are joining an EU/EEA citizen, check whether you can skip the main consular fee.
5. Be Ready for an Interview
A brief interview is sometimes held during your appointment. You may be asked to discuss your relationship with your EU/EEA family member, or your plans in Spain 🇪🇸. It helps to bring photos together or any proof that shows your family connection is real.
6. Wait for a Decision
After your interview and submission, wait for the decision. You might be able to check your application status online if your consulate or visa center has a tracking portal.
7. Collect Your Visa
When the visa is approved, collect it in person. Make sure your name, passport number, and dates are printed correctly on your visa sticker.
8. Travel to Spain 🇪🇸 and Register
Enter Spain 🇪🇸 within the period shown on your visa. Within your first month, you must:
– Register your address at the local town hall (known as “empadronamiento”).
– Go to the police station (extranjería office) to apply for your foreigner’s identity card — this is called the TIE (“Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero”).
– You will need your passport, a copy of your visa, your registration paper, and photos.
9. Keep Legal Status and Renew As Needed
As your expiration date nears, start the renewal process if your family and living situation have not changed. After five years, you can become a permanent resident.
Common Pitfalls and Tips
- Incomplete documents: If even one required document is missing, your visa may be refused. Use a checklist and confirm with your consulate.
- Timing: Waiting until the last minute to book your appointment or to gather translations can cause problems, especially during high application seasons.
- Translations and apostilles: Not all translators or stamps are valid for Spanish immigration. Ask your consulate who they accept.
- Application from within Spain 🇪🇸: If you are already in Spain 🇪🇸 with another visa type, or visa-free, there may be a different process to “modify” your status directly in Spain 🇪🇸. Ask your local immigration office or consulate for guidance.
Save scans and copies of all your paperwork and receipts. If you have sent money for dependence proof, always keep proof of remittances.
What Happens Next
Once your visa is approved and your residence permit is in hand, you enjoy the same basic rights as your EU/EEA family member. You can live, study, and work in Spain 🇪🇸. Always make sure your address, job status, and family details on file with authorities are up to date.
After five years of stable, legal living in Spain 🇪🇸, you can apply for permanent residence — meaning you are no longer tied to your family member’s immigration status.
Resources and Where to Get Help
You can always find official information and the Spain National (Type D) Family Member of EU/EEA Citizen Visa application forms on the Spanish Government’s Consulate pages. Local consulates are the best place to check the most current requirements, fees, and appointment systems.
Many applicants also get help from specialized legal or immigration support services, especially for complex cases such as dependent parents, stepchildren, or unregistered partnerships.
Remember, your personal circumstances can affect your process. When in doubt, always ask for advice from your consulate. VisaVerge.com also provides regular, easy-to-understand updates and news on Spain 🇪🇸 family visas and related topics.
Summary:
The Spain National (Type D) Family Member of EU/EEA Citizen Visa gives families a way to stay together by allowing non-EU/EEA nationals to join close relatives in Spain 🇪🇸, provided rules around relationship, paperwork, and income are satisfied. The process takes planning and careful attention to paperwork, but for many families, the chance to live together in Spain 🇪🇸 makes it worthwhile. Always follow official instructions, start early, and seek help if your family relationship or paperwork is complicated.
Learn Today
Apostille → An official certification confirming a document’s authenticity for international use, required for foreign documents in Spanish immigration processes.
Type D Visa → A Spanish long-stay visa for stays over 90 days, including study, work, or family reunification for non-EU/EEA nationals.
Empadronamiento → The official Spanish registration of your address at the local town hall, necessary for legal residency and accessing public services.
Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE) → A foreigner’s residence card in Spain enabling legal stay and identification for non-citizens.
Dependence Proof → Documentation, usually financial, to demonstrate a parent or grandparent relies on the EU/EEA sponsor for their living expenses.
This Article in a Nutshell
The Spain National (Type D) Family Member Visa lets non-EU/EEA relatives join their family in Spain for over 90 days. Applicants must provide proof of relationship, financial support, valid documents, and translations. The process involves official fees, takes one to three months, and can lead to permanent Spanish residence if renewed successfully.
— By VisaVerge.com
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