Last Updated 21 May 2026
Spain is one of the top destinations for Indian workers looking for better salaries, career growth, and a secure future for their families. The country offers many job opportunities in sectors such as IT, healthcare, engineering, tourism, hospitality, banking, and renewable energy. Many Indians choose Spain because of its good quality of life, free public healthcare, safe environment, and family-friendly lifestyle. To support foreign workers, the Spanish government offers the Spain Work Dependent Visa, also known as the Family Reunification Visa. This visa allows spouses, children, and dependent parents to live with the main visa holder in Spain. Dependents can also study in public schools, access healthcare services, and in many cases, work legally in Spain. Below are the key highlights of Spain Dependent Visa.
|
Point |
Details |
|
Visa Name |
Spain Family Reunification Visa (Reagrupación Familiar) |
|
Visa Category |
Long-Stay Type D (Dependent / Family Visa) |
|
Who Can Apply |
Spouse, children below 18, dependent disabled adult children, parents above 65 |
|
Main Applicant |
Must hold a valid Spanish work and residence permit, renewed at least once (1 year of legal stay) |
|
Stay Duration |
Same as the main visa holder's residence permit (1 year first, then 4 years on renewal) |
|
Visa Fee |
€80 per applicant (long-stay D visa) |
|
Processing Time |
4 to 8 months (full process) |
|
Right to Work |
Yes, spouse and adult children can work in any sector |
|
Right to Study |
Yes, free public schooling for children |
|
Path to PR |
Yes, after 5 years of continuous legal stay |
|
Schengen Travel |
Yes, free travel to 26 Schengen countries |
Spain is one of the best countries in Europe for families because of its strong economy, good job opportunities, affordable living costs, and high quality of life. The country is known for its safe cities, good healthcare system, free education, and family-friendly lifestyle. Here are some important reasons to apply for the Spain Work Dependent Visa:

The Spain Work Dependent Visa is a long-stay visa for the family members of a person who already has a valid work and residence permit in Spain. This visa is officially called the Family Reunification Visa. It allows family members to live together in Spain for the same period as the main visa holder’s residence permit. The visa can also be renewed if the work permit remains active.
This visa is a good option for Indian workers who want to bring their family to Spain and stay together. Spouses, children, and dependent parents can join the main applicant and start a new life in Spain. Family members can enjoy benefits such as healthcare, education, and in some cases, the right to work in Spain. Since Spain is part of the Schengen Area, visa holders can also travel to many other European countries for short visits. The Spain Work Dependent Visa supports families of all sizes and is available for eligible applicants from all parts of India.
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The main visa holder in Spain, also called the sponsor, can bring certain close family members to Spain through the Spain Work Dependent Visa. The Spanish government only allows direct family members under this visa category.
The following family members can apply:
To bring parents to Spain, the main visa holder usually must have long-term residence status after legally living in Spain for 5 years. Under recent rules, parents above 80 years are generally considered dependents more easily. Parents below 65 years are only allowed in special humanitarian situations.
The following relatives are not eligible under the Spain Work Dependent Visa:
Only close and eligible family members are allowed under this visa.
*Also read....
Living as a student in Spain you can sponsor your family
To apply for the Spain Work Dependent Visa, the main applicant living in Spain must meet certain conditions set by the Spanish government. These rules help make sure the sponsor can financially support and take care of the family in Spain. The Spanish immigration office checks all documents before approving the visa.
The minimum income required depends on the number of family members being sponsored. Spain uses a system called IPREM to calculate the required income.
|
Family Members |
Minimum Monthly Income |
Minimum Yearly Income |
|
1 family member (spouse or 1 child) |
€900 |
€10,800 |
|
2 family members (spouse + 1 child) |
€1,200 |
€14,400 |
|
3 family members (spouse + 2 children) |
€1,500 |
€18,000 |
|
4 family members |
€1,800 |
€21,600 |
Note: If you want to sponsor parents, higher income may be required. The sponsor must also usually hold long-term residence status in Spain.
The sponsor must prove that the house in Spain is suitable for the family. A Housing Adequacy Report is issued by the local town hall or immigration office after checking the home.
The house is checked for:
The Spain Work Dependent Visa offers many benefits for families who want to live together in Spain. It is considered one of the most family-friendly visas in Europe because dependents can work, study, and enjoy public services in Spain. Here are the main benefits of this visa:
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You will need to submit a full set of documents for both the sponsor in Spain and the family in India. Make sure all papers are correct, signed, and in the right format. Wrong or missing papers can cause delays or rejection. The main documents are:
The visa process has two main parts. The sponsor in Spain starts the process first, and then the family applies from India. The full process takes about 4 to 8 months. Below is the simple step-by-step process:
The sponsor in Spain visits the Oficina de Extranjería in their province. They submit Form Modelo EX-02 along with income proof, housing report, work contract, and family relationship papers. A small tax fee (Modelo 790, Code 052) is also paid.
The Spanish authority checks the income, housing, and family link papers. The decision is given in up to 3 months. If no reply is received within 3 months, the application is considered rejected by administrative silence. Once approved, an official letter is sent to the sponsor by email and post.
Within 2 months of getting the authorization, the family in India must book a visa appointment online with BLS International, the official Spanish visa partner in India. Appointment slots are limited, so book early to avoid delays during busy seasons.
The family visits the BLS visa centre in New Delhi or Mumbai with all required documents. The applicant gives biometric details (fingerprints and photo). A short interview may also be conducted by the consular officer for proof of relationship.
The current visa fee is €80 per applicant (about ₹7,300). Children below 6 years are usually exempt from the visa fee. A small BLS service fee is also paid at the visa centre. Keep all payment receipts safe for future use.
The visa is issued within 30 to 60 days of submission. Once the long-stay D visa is stamped on the passport, the family can plan their travel and book flights to Spain. The visa is valid for 90 days from the date of issue, so plan travel within that time.
Within 30 days of arriving in Spain, the family must visit the local Foreigners' Office or Police Station (Policía Nacional) to apply for the TIE Card (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero). This is the residence permit card that allows them to stay legally in Spain. Without this card, family members cannot use full public services.

The total cost of the Spain Work Dependent Visa depends on the number of family members applying and the documents required for the application. Applicants may need to pay visa fees, residence card fees, document translation charges, health insurance costs, and service fees. Some charges are paid in India, while others are paid after arriving in Spain.
Below are the estimated Spain Work Dependent Visa fees for 2026:
|
Fee Type |
Amount in Euro |
Amount in INR (approx.) |
|
Long-Stay Type D Visa Fee |
€80 |
₹7,300 |
|
Family Reunification Authorization Fee (Spain) |
€10.72 |
₹980 |
|
TIE Card Fee |
€16 to €20 |
₹1,500 to ₹1,800 |
|
BLS Service Fee |
€18 to €25 |
₹1,650 to ₹2,300 |
|
Sworn Translation (per document) |
€30 to €80 |
₹2,700 to ₹7,300 |
|
Apostille (MEA India, per document) |
₹50 to ₹500 |
– |
|
Health Insurance (yearly per person) |
€300 to €600 |
₹27,000 to ₹54,000 |
The Spain work-dependent visa process usually takes around 4 to 8 months from the start of the application until your family arrives in Spain. The processing time may change depending on the city in Spain, the number of applications, and whether all documents are submitted correctly.
Below is the estimated processing timeline:
To avoid delays, it is important to prepare all documents correctly, apply early, and attend visa appointments on time. Proper documentation can help make the process faster and smoother.
The Spain Work Dependent Visa is usually given for the same period as the sponsor’s residence permit. In most cases, the first residence card is valid for 1 year. After that, it can usually be renewed for another 4 years. The renewal process should be started within the allowed time period before or after the visa expiry date.
The dependent visa can be renewed if the following conditions are still met:
After living legally in Spain for 5 continuous years, dependent family members may apply for long-term residence or Permanent Residency (PR). After completing the required legal stay period, eligible applicants may also apply for Spanish citizenship.
*Also read…
Spain extends visa validity for UEFA
Spain gives many benefits and equal rights to family members who move on a dependent visa. Dependents can work, study, and use public services in Spain, making it easier for families to settle comfortably.
Here are some important rights for dependent visa holders in Spain:
Y-Axis Overseas Careers is the leading immigration and overseas career consultant, helping individuals and families move abroad successfully for many years. With professional guidance and personalised support, Y-Axis assists applicants throughout the Spain Work Dependent Visa process.
Our services include:

Spain has many good cities for Indian families to live and work. These cities offer job opportunities, good schools, safe neighbourhoods, and a comfortable lifestyle. Many cities also have growing Indian communities, making it easier for families to settle in Spain.
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