Discover the new requirements to reunite with your family if you are a Spanish citizen. In 2025, major changes are now in force, and they affect thousands of families. We explain what you need, how much income you must prove, and how to do it successfully. A complete guide from Visal Immigration Lawyers.

If you're a Spanish citizen and want to bring your parents, adult children, or extended family members (siblings, nephews, nieces, grandchildren, etc.) to live in Spain, you now need more than just proof that they depend on you financially. Following the enforcement of the new Article 196 of the Spanish Immigration Regulation, you must also demonstrate that you, as the Spanish citizen, have sufficient financial means to support them.

This measure aims to ensure that family reunification does not place a burden on Spain's social services. It especially affects those applying for residency as relatives of a Spanish citizen when economic dependence is involved.

In this article, we explain in detail what "living at the expense of" means, how much income or savings you must have, what documents you need to prove it, and how to avoid mistakes that lead to rejection. We also answer the most frequent questions from our clients in 2025.

At Visal Immigration Lawyers, we are experts in immigration law and have prepared this updated guide to help you understand the new financial requirements and facilitate your family reunification process. If you still have questions afterward, book a consultation with our lawyers here:

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Until recently, a Spanish citizen wishing to bring a relative to Spain only had to prove that the relative lived at their expense—meaning they received financial support regularly and consistently. But this is no longer enough. The current regulation also requires the Spanish sponsor to prove their own economic solvency.

The most affected categories are:

• Parents of Spanish citizens under 80 years old

• Children over 26 years old

• Extended family members: siblings, nephews, nieces, uncles, grandchildren, etc.

In all of these cases, it's not enough for the relative to be emotionally or physically dependent. You must provide solid documentary evidence that they rely financially on you and that you are financially able to support them in Spain.

The regulation sets minimum income thresholds based on the size of the household or family unit.

For households with 2 members (e.g. you and your father):

• Minimum income: €660 per month (about €7,900 per year)

• Or minimum personal savings: over €23,000

For households with 3 or more members:

• Minimum income: €856 per month (about €10,300 per year)

• Or personal savings: over €24,000

If you cannot prove either income or savings above these thresholds, the application will likely be rejected for failing to meet the financial requirement.

It is not enough to submit general or unclear documents. You must provide clear, recent, and verifiable financial records. Examples of acceptable documents include:

• Work contracts and pay slips for the last 6 months

• Your most recent annual income tax return

• Bank certificates showing sufficient balance and history of remittances

• Proof of assets or investments (property deeds, financial holdings)

• Consistent remittances or wire transfers to the relative for at least one year

Combining income documents, bank statements, and proof of financial support significantly strengthens the case and reduces the risk of rejection.

One of the most common mistakes is failing to properly document the economic dependence of the relative. At Visal Immigration Lawyers, we always recommend preparing the case well in advance and consulting an immigration attorney before submitting the application.

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Another frequent issue is applicants failing to meet the income threshold by just a few euros or presenting irregular income with no stable source. Self-employed applicants often fail to provide clear proof of revenue or rely only on irregular bank deposits.

Each application must include the official immigration forms, a copy of the Spanish citizen's DNI, proof of the family relationship (birth or marriage certificates duly legalized and/or apostilled), and the full set of documents proving economic dependence and financial solvency.

Applications are submitted to the local Immigration Office in Spain. In some cases, they can be initiated from the country of origin.

We strongly advise requesting a consultation with one of our immigration attorneys to assess your personal case and avoid errors:

 

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• Carefully review the foreign relative's documents and arrange certified translations and apostilles well in advance

• Document regular financial support (remittances, transfers, bank statements)

• If employed, include work contract, payslips, and income tax return

• If self-employed, include invoices, tax models (130 or 100), and accounting records

• Include recent bank certificates showing stable financial standing

• Avoid incomplete or inconsistent documentation, as it can delay or jeopardize the process

At Visal Immigration Lawyers, our legal team evaluates each client’s financial and family situation in detail to prepare strong, regulation-compliant applications. If you need help, book your consultation here: https://www.visalimmigration.com/en/consulting or message us via WhatsApp at 618 702 253 (messages only, no calls).

Can I still apply if the relative already lives in Spain? Yes. Even if your relative is already in Spain, if they are a parent under 80, a child over 26, or part of the extended family, you must prove that they live with you and that you can support them financially.

Can I use my savings instead of monthly income? Yes. If you can demonstrate that your savings exceed €23,000 or €24,000 (depending on the family size), that is acceptable. You must present certified bank statements and documentation showing the origin of the funds.

How long do I need to show I’ve supported my relative financially? Ideally, you should provide evidence of continuous support for at least 12 months, using bank transfers, remittance records, or payment receipts.

What if I don’t meet the income requirement, but my partner does? In some cases, joint household income may be considered if you live together and both provide documentation. However, it is safer for the Spanish sponsor to meet the requirements individually.

Can I apply to bring more than one family member? Yes, but your required income or savings increase proportionally. The more people you wish to reunite with, the higher your financial threshold will be.

At Visal Immigration Lawyers, we have helped hundreds of families reunite in Spain. If you need support preparing your family reunification application as a Spanish citizen, you can contact us via WhatsApp at 618 702 253 (messages only), or schedule a consultation directly through our website:

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We will guide you through every step, from building your case to submitting it and monitoring the outcome. You can also read other helpful guides on our blog:

• Family Reunification through Arraigo Familiar

• Spain's Digital Nomad Visa Requirements

• Non-Lucrative Residence Permit for Foreign Nationals

Every case is different, and good legal advice can be the key between an approval and a rejection.

Spain is adapting to a new migration reality, and staying informed is essential. We hope this guide has helped clarify the new 2025 financial requirements for family reunification.

Need personalized legal advice?

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