Discover the family reunification fees in Spain in 2026, including Form 790-052, visa costs, TIE fees, renewals and possible exemptions.

The family reunification fee in Spain is one of the first questions asked by foreign residents who want their spouse, partner, children or parents to join them.

However, providing only one figure can be misleading. A family reunification procedure usually involves several different stages, and each stage may require a separate administrative payment.

In 2026, the fee for an initial temporary residence permit for family reunification under the general immigration regime is €10.94. This fee is paid using Form 790, code 052, by selecting section 2.1.2.

Nevertheless, the total cost of the procedure may also include the fee for the national visa issued by the Spanish consulate and, after the family member enters Spain, the fee for obtaining the Foreigner Identity Card, commonly known as the TIE.

In this updated guide, Visal Immigration Lawyers explains how much family reunification in Spain costs in 2026, who must pay each fee, when payment must be made and the differences between family reunification under the general regime, residence permits for relatives of Spanish citizens and residence rights for relatives of EU citizens.

To confirm which immigration procedure applies to your family and which fees must be paid, you can schedule your consultation here.

What is the family reunification fee in Spain in 2026?

The administrative fee for an initial temporary residence permit for family reunification under the general immigration regime is €10.94 for each residence permit application.

The correct payment form is:

Form 790, code 052

Section 2.1.2: Temporary residence through family reunification

This is the fee applicable to the first stage of the procedure: the application submitted to the Spanish Immigration Office by the foreign resident who already lives legally in Spain.

It must not be confused with the visa fee payable at a Spanish consulate or the subsequent fee for obtaining the physical residence card.

Therefore, when someone asks how much family reunification in Spain costs, it is important to explain that there may be three separate payments:

• The fee for the initial residence authorisation.
• The fee for the family reunification visa.
• The fee for obtaining the TIE in Spain.

In a standard family reunification procedure under the general immigration regime, the combined official fees may amount to approximately €117.02 per family member.

This estimate does not include sworn translations, apostilles, consular legalisations, certificates, medical examinations, travel expenses or service fees charged by external visa centres such as BLS International.

To obtain a personalised calculation of the costs involved in your application, you can schedule your consultation here.

The fee for the initial residence authorisation

The ordinary family reunification procedure begins in Spain.

The foreign national who already resides legally in Spain, known as the sponsor or regrouping family member, submits the application to the Immigration Office corresponding to the province where they live.

The application is normally submitted using Form EX-02. It can be submitted in person or electronically through the Mercurio platform, either by the applicant or by an authorised representative.

The administrative fee for this application is paid using Form 790, code 052, section 2.1.2, and amounts to €10.94.

The fee becomes payable when the application is submitted and must generally be paid within ten working days. When the entire application is submitted electronically, payment may be completed as part of the electronic submission process.

It is essential to select the correct section of Form 790-052.

This form is used for numerous Spanish immigration procedures. However, each type of residence permit has its own section. Paying the fee for a non-lucrative residence permit, an arraigo application, a renewal or long-term residence does not satisfy the payment requirement for family reunification.

For an initial family reunification application, the correct option is:

2.1.2. Temporary residence through family reunification: €10.94

Applicants should not select section 2.2.2, as this section applies to renewals of family reunification residence permits.

Who is responsible for paying the fee?

Legally, the person liable for the fee is the foreign family member in whose favour the residence permit is being processed.

This means that the fee corresponds to the family member who will receive the residence authorisation, even though the application is submitted from Spain by the sponsor and the sponsor may make the payment on their behalf.

For example, when a legal resident in Spain applies to reunite with their spouse, the residence authorisation is being requested for the spouse. The spouse’s personal details must therefore be entered correctly on the fee form.

When several family members are included in the family reunification process, one single fee cannot be used for the entire family.

Each family member receives an individual residence authorisation. Consequently, a separate fee form and payment must normally be completed for each person.

For example, if a resident applies to reunite with their spouse and two children, three separate residence permit applications will be processed. Three fees of €10.94 must therefore be paid, making the total fee for the initial authorisation stage €32.82.

Children are not automatically exempt from this fee simply because they are minors. An individual authorisation is still processed for each child, even though the application is managed by their parents or legal representatives.

The family reunification visa fee

Once the Immigration Office approves the residence authorisation, the family member living outside Spain must personally apply for a family reunification visa at the competent Spanish consulate.

As a general rule, the visa application must be submitted within two months of notification of the favourable residence decision.

The Spanish consulate will normally request the passport, criminal record certificate where applicable, medical certificate, evidence of the family relationship, the favourable residence decision and any additional documents required by that particular consular office.

The standard administrative fee for a long-stay national visa is generally €90.

However, the precise amount paid at the consulate may be expressed in the local currency. Spanish consulates periodically apply their own official exchange rates, so the amount payable in pounds, dollars, pesos or another currency may change.

Several important factors must be considered.

First, reciprocal arrangements, international agreements or nationality-based exemptions may affect the amount charged to certain applicants.

Second, where the visa application is submitted through BLS International, VFS Global or another external visa application centre, the applicant may have to pay an additional service charge.

This service charge is not an official Spanish immigration fee. It is a fee charged by the external company for receiving the application, checking its formal presentation and transferring it to the Spanish consulate.

Third, the ordinary €90 visa fee does not necessarily apply to relatives of Spanish citizens or EU citizens. In many of these cases, the visa itself is free of charge.

Applicants should therefore consult the official instructions of the competent Spanish consulate before making any payment. A fee paid in the wrong currency, to the wrong consular office or in an incorrect amount may not be accepted.

To review the requirements of the Spanish consulate responsible for your family member’s visa, you can schedule your consultation here.

The TIE fee after entering Spain

After the family reunification visa has been granted and the family member has entered Spain, they must apply for a Foreigner Identity Card.

This card is commonly known as the TIE, from its Spanish name, Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero.

The TIE application must be completed personally at the competent National Police station, normally within one month of entering Spain.

During the appointment, the police take the applicant’s fingerprints, verify their identity and review the documents relating to the residence authorisation.

For the first TIE documenting a temporary residence permit, the fee applicable in 2026 is €16.08.

The correct form is:

Form 790, code 012

TIE documenting the initial granting of a temporary residence authorisation: €16.08

This fee should not be paid when the original family reunification application is submitted.

It is paid later, after the Immigration Office has approved the residence authorisation, the consulate has issued the visa and the family member has legally entered Spain.

The documents normally required for the fingerprint appointment include Form EX-17, the original passport, a copy of the visa, evidence of entry into Spain, the favourable residence decision, a recent passport photograph and proof that the Form 790-012 fee has been paid.

How much does family reunification cost in total?

For a standard family reunification procedure under the general immigration regime, the indicative calculation of official fees is as follows:

Initial residence authorisation: €10.94

National family reunification visa: €90

First temporary residence TIE: €16.08

Indicative total official cost: €117.02 per person

This calculation represents the ordinary situation in which all three fees apply.

However, it should not be treated as a universal figure. The visa fee may change depending on the applicant’s nationality, the exchange rate applied by the consulate, reciprocity rules or a possible fee exemption.

The calculation also excludes the costs of preparing the supporting documents.

In practice, families may have to pay for birth certificates, marriage certificates, criminal record certificates, medical certificates, Hague Apostilles, consular legalisations, sworn translations, certified copies, courier services and travel to the consulate or visa centre.

Where an external visa centre is involved, an additional service charge may also apply. Although this is sometimes informally described as a “BLS fee”, it is not the official consular visa fee.

For example, a resident who wishes to reunite with their spouse and two children may have to pay three residence authorisation fees, three visa fees and three TIE fees.

In the ordinary scenario, the combined official fees would amount to approximately €351.06, excluding document preparation and external service costs.

To obtain an accurate estimate for your own family, you can schedule your consultation here.

How to pay Form 790 code 052

Form 790-052 can be completed through the official electronic headquarters of the Spanish public administration.

There are two common payment methods.

The first is online payment. This normally requires an accepted electronic identification system and access to a compatible bank account. After completing the payment, the applicant must download and retain the electronic receipt.

The second option is to generate the form online, print all copies and pay it through a participating Spanish bank.

Before generating the fee form, applicants should carefully verify:

• The province corresponding to the Immigration Office handling the application.
• The full personal details of the family member receiving the residence permit.
• The NIE number, where one has already been assigned.
• Section 2.1.2.
• The correct amount of €10.94.
• The application or file number, where available.

Applicants should avoid using an old Form 790 that was previously downloaded and saved on a computer.

Administrative fees and form sections can be updated. The safest option is to generate a new form from the official government website immediately before making payment.

The payment receipt should be kept throughout the entire procedure.

If the Immigration Office requests proof of payment, the applicant must provide either the form validated by the bank or the electronic receipt containing the corresponding reference number.

For assistance completing the fee correctly and identifying the appropriate person whose details must appear on the form, you can schedule your consultation here.

Family reunification is not the same in every case

One of the most common mistakes is to use the expression “family reunification” for every immigration procedure that allows a relative to move to Spain.

From a legal perspective, several different immigration regimes exist.

The nationality of the person living in Spain, the type of residence permit they hold and the nationality of the family member determine the applicable procedure, requirements and fees.

Family reunification under the general immigration regime

The general family reunification regime mainly applies when a non-EU foreign national who legally resides in Spain wants to reunite with certain non-EU family members.

This is the procedure to which the €10.94 fee under Form 790-052, section 2.1.2, applies.

The sponsor must normally demonstrate sufficient and regular financial resources, adequate housing and healthcare coverage.

The initial application is submitted to the Immigration Office in Spain. If it is approved, the family member applies for a visa from abroad and subsequently obtains a TIE after entering Spain.

The sponsor must also meet the residence requirements established by Spanish immigration law. In many cases, the sponsor must have resided legally in Spain for at least one year and have obtained authorisation to reside for at least one additional year.

Some categories of sponsor, including holders of long-term residence permits, EU long-term residence or certain residence permits regulated under specific legislation, may be subject to different rules.

Residence permits for relatives of Spanish citizens

Since 20 May 2025, Spain has had a specific temporary residence regime for family members of Spanish nationals.

This procedure is regulated separately from ordinary family reunification under the general immigration regime.

The application for a temporary residence authorisation as a relative of a Spanish citizen is free of charge.

Therefore, the €10.94 fee under Form 790-052, section 2.1.2, should not be paid for this specific type of application.

The residence visa for a family member of a Spanish citizen is also generally free of charge.

However, an external visa application centre may still charge its own service fee where the application is submitted through that centre.

Once the residence authorisation has been approved, the family member must obtain a TIE. The applicable fee for the TIE of a family member of a Spanish citizen is €12.

The usual official cost can therefore be summarised as follows:

Residence authorisation application: Free of charge

Visa for a family member of a Spanish citizen: Free of charge

TIE: €12

This is an important distinction.

Paying the general family reunification fee when the applicant is actually applying under the specific regime for relatives of Spanish citizens does not make the application correct. It may instead indicate that the wrong immigration procedure has been selected.

The applicable requirements can also be significantly different. In particular, the rules concerning financial resources, health insurance, eligible family members and applications submitted from within Spain must be analysed under the specific regime for relatives of Spanish nationals.

To confirm whether you should apply under the general family reunification regime or as a relative of a Spanish citizen, you can schedule your consultation here.

Family members of EU citizens

Where the sponsoring family member is a citizen of another European Union Member State, the European Economic Area or Switzerland, the EU family member regime may apply.

The entry visa for a qualifying family member of an EU citizen is generally issued free of charge.

Nevertheless, an external visa application centre may charge a service fee if its services are used.

After arriving in Spain, the non-EU family member may need to apply for a residence card as a family member of an EU citizen.

The administrative fee for issuing this residence card is €12.

The position of British citizens and their family members requires particular attention.

Depending on when the British citizen began residing in Spain and whether they are protected by the EU–UK Withdrawal Agreement, the family member’s application may be processed under the Withdrawal Agreement or under the general Spanish immigration regime.

It should not be assumed that every foreign spouse of a British citizen is automatically entitled to a free visa.

The legal position depends on whether the British sponsor benefits from Withdrawal Agreement protection or resides in Spain under an ordinary Spanish residence permit obtained after Brexit.

How much does it cost to renew family reunification residence?

The renewal of a residence permit obtained through family reunification has a different administrative fee.

In 2026, the applicant must use Form 790, code 052, section 2.2.2, which applies to the renewal or extension of temporary residence through family reunification.

The fee is €16.40.

Once the renewal is approved, the applicant must obtain a new TIE.

The fee under Form 790-012 for a TIE documenting the renewal of a temporary residence authorisation is €19.30.

The ordinary administrative cost of renewing a family reunification residence permit is therefore:

Renewal of the residence authorisation: €16.40

Renewal of the TIE: €19.30

Total: €35.70

A new visa is not normally required for an ordinary renewal because the family member is already legally residing in Spain.

However, if the residence permit has expired, become extinguished or the family member has remained outside Spain for an excessive period, it may be necessary to analyse whether a different procedure is required.

The applicant may also qualify for long-term residence when the renewal becomes due. In that situation, the type of application, the applicable fee section and the cost of the residence card will be different.

Common mistakes when paying family reunification fees

Paying the correct fee may appear to be a minor part of the procedure, but mistakes can result in formal requests for additional documents and unnecessary delays.

One of the most common errors is paying Form 790-012 when submitting the initial family reunification application.

Form 790-012 is generally used for documents issued by the National Police, including the TIE. The initial residence authorisation requires Form 790-052.

Another frequent mistake is selecting the renewal section when the applicant is requesting an initial residence permit.

Section 2.1.2 applies to the initial authorisation, while section 2.2.2 applies to a renewal.

Applicants also sometimes pay only one fee for several family members. Each residence authorisation is individual, so a separate fee form must normally be generated for every family member.

Another problem arises when the form is completed using the sponsor’s personal details instead of those of the family member receiving the residence authorisation.

Although the sponsor may make the payment, the beneficiary of the residence application is the person liable for the fee.

Additional errors include selecting the wrong province, using an outdated form, entering an incorrect NIE or failing to retain the bank receipt.

Some families also pay the general family reunification fee even though they qualify for a free application as relatives of a Spanish citizen.

This not only creates an unnecessary expense but may also show that the applicant has selected the wrong legal procedure.

Where a fee has been paid incorrectly, it may be possible to request the reimbursement of an undue payment. However, obtaining a refund is a separate administrative procedure and may take time.

To avoid these mistakes before submitting your application, you can schedule your consultation here.

Paying the fee does not guarantee approval

Although it is important to understand the cost of family reunification, the fees represent only a small part of the procedure.

A residence application can be refused even when every administrative fee has been paid correctly.

Payment of the fee does not guarantee approval and does not compensate for failure to meet the legal requirements.

The Immigration Office will examine the sponsor’s residence status, the family relationship, financial resources, adequate housing, healthcare coverage and the other conditions applicable to the application.

Where the application concerns dependent parents, the sponsor may also need to prove that the parents are financially dependent, that they are generally over the age of 65 and that there are reasons justifying the need for them to reside in Spain.

Parents under the age of 65 may be eligible only in exceptional circumstances, particularly where humanitarian reasons exist.

Foreign public documents must usually be legalised or bear a Hague Apostille unless an international agreement provides an exemption.

Documents not issued in Spanish must normally be accompanied by an official sworn translation into Spanish or, where accepted, the relevant co-official language.

Applicants should not wait until the visa appointment to review these requirements. Certificates, apostilles and translations can take several weeks or months to obtain.

Frequently asked questions about family reunification fees

What fee must I pay for an initial family reunification application in 2026?

For family reunification under the general immigration regime, you must pay Form 790, code 052, section 2.1.2. The amount is €10.94. This covers only the initial residence authorisation. The visa and the subsequent TIE may require separate payments.

Do children also have to pay the family reunification fee?

Yes. A separate residence authorisation is processed for every family member, including minor children. A separate fee must therefore normally be paid for each child. The fact that the application is submitted by a parent or legal representative does not automatically create a fee exemption.

Does the €10.94 fee include the visa and the TIE?

No. The €10.94 payment covers only the initial residence authorisation processed by the Immigration Office. The ordinary national visa fee is generally €90, while the first TIE for temporary residence costs €16.08. Additional document preparation and visa centre service fees may also apply.

Whose details should appear on Form 790-052?

The form should identify the foreign family member in whose favour the residence authorisation is being requested. The sponsor may physically make the payment, but the beneficiary of the residence application is legally responsible for the fee. The information should match the applicant’s passport and immigration file.

Does a relative of a Spanish citizen also pay the €10.94 fee?

No. The specific temporary residence application for a family member of a Spanish citizen is free of charge. The corresponding residence visa is also generally free. Once the residence is granted, the family member must pay €12 to obtain the TIE.

Practical advice from Visal Immigration Lawyers

Before paying any fee, the first step should be identifying the correct immigration procedure.

The term “family reunification” is commonly used for several legally distinct situations, but the documents, eligibility requirements and administrative fees are not the same.

You should verify the nationality of the person residing in Spain, the type of residence permit they hold, the relationship between the family members, the country from which the visa application will be submitted and whether the case is governed by the general regime, the Spanish family member regime, the EU regime or the EU–UK Withdrawal Agreement.

Fees should always be generated through the official government platform.

Before payment, confirm the section selected, the amount, the province and the applicant’s personal information.

All receipts should be retained even after the application has been submitted.

Applicants should also review the specific instructions published by the relevant Spanish consulate.

Each consulate may apply its own appointment system and publish specific information concerning the accepted payment method, local currency, visa centre and document submission process.

The amount of the fee matters, but the strength of the application depends primarily on satisfying the legal requirements and presenting the supporting evidence correctly.

Do you need personalised legal advice?

Visal Immigration Lawyers provides individual legal advice to determine the correct family immigration procedure, calculate the applicable fees and assess the requirements before the application is submitted.

Our Spanish immigration lawyers can help you prepare the initial residence application, review your financial evidence and housing documentation, verify foreign certificates, coordinate the visa application and prepare the documents required for the TIE appointment.

You can schedule your consultation here and our legal team will assess your case with transparency and professional care.

Conclusion

In 2026, the fee for an initial family reunification residence authorisation under the general Spanish immigration regime is €10.94, paid using Form 790, code 052, section 2.1.2.

Where the family member also requires a national visa and a TIE, the ordinary total official cost may be approximately €117.02 per person.

However, this amount may vary depending on nationality, consular exchange rates, exemptions and external visa centre charges.

Family members of Spanish citizens are subject to a different regime. The residence application and visa are generally free of charge, while the TIE costs €12.

At Visal Immigration Lawyers, we specialise in Spanish immigration law and family reunification procedures.

For further information, you can contact us exclusively by WhatsApp message at 618 702 253. This number is for WhatsApp messages only and is not available for telephone calls.

You can also visit Visal Immigration Lawyers or schedule your consultation here. Our lawyers will review your situation and guide you throughout the residence and visa process.