Residence visa for family members of Spanish citizens

February 12, 2026

Family members of the Spanish citizen who can apply for this visa:

Spouse over 18 years old not legally or de facto

Unmarried foreign partner or stable partner over 18 years of age. This requires a cohabiting relationship similar to a marital relationship, either in Spain or abroad, for at least twelve continuous months. This period is not required if the couple has a common child, provided the relationship is maintained.

Children of the Spanish citizen or those of the spouse, registered partner, or stable partner under 26 years old, provided they also reside or will reside in Spain, or older but dependent on the Spanish citizen, or have a disability that requires support. In all cases, they must live with or intend to live with them and not be married or legally independent.
First-degree direct ascendants (parents) and those of their spouse, unmarried foreign partner or stable partner, in the following cases:

They are financially dependent on Spanish citizen and have no family support from their country.
When there are humanitarian reasons.

The father, mother, guardian of a minor with Spanish citizenship, if the applicant is responsible for the minor and lives with him/her and is up to date with the obligations. This relationship must have been established according to Spanish law.

One relative, up to second degree, who provides or will provide care for a person with Spanish citizenship with recognized dependency levels according to article 26 of Law 39/2006. on personal autonomy and dependent care.

Children whose father or mother is or has been a Spanish citizen by birth.

Other family members not included in the previous categories, who can reliably prove, at the time of application, that they are dependent on the Spanish citizen.

Required documents

National visa application form. Each applicant must complete and sign a visa application form, filling in each of its sections. If the applicant is a minor, one of their parents or guardians or a duly accredited representative must sign the application.
Photograph. A recent, passport-size, colour photograph, taken against a light background, facing forward, without dark or reflective glasses, or any garments concealing the oval of the face.
Valid, unexpired passport. Original and a photocopy of the page or pages of the passport that contain biometric data. The passport must have a minimum validity period of one year and contain two blank pages. Passports issued more than ten years ago will not be accepted.
If the Spanish citizen is in Spain and has applied for a residence permit for the family member:

the original and a copy of the initial residence authorization for the foreign family member, issued by the competent authority must be submitted.

If the Spanish citizen and the family member are living in our consular jurisdiction:

a complete and signed Initial family reunification authorization form EX24, indicating the address in Spain and documentation proving the existence of the situation that allows the application for a residence permit.
along with documentation proving the situation that allows for the residence authorization request:

a) Spouses:

Marriage certificate issued by the competent civil registry. In the event of the Spanish national is married for the second time or beyond, proof of divorce from the previous spouse.
A sworn declaration from the Spanish citizen stating that no other spouse or partner resides with them in Spain.

b) Unmarried Couples:

Certificate of registration as an unmarried couple. Certificate of registration as an unmarried couple or, if not registered, documentation that sufficiently proves a cohabiting relationship analogous to marriage for at least twelve months before the applicant’s established residence in Spain. The previous cohabitation period is not required if the couple has children in common and the relationship is ongoing. In that case, the birth certificate of any children the couple has in common must be submitted.
A sworn declaration from the Spanish citizen stating that no other spouse or partner resides with them in Spain.

c) Children:

Birth certificate issued by the competent civil registry.
If the child is from a previous relationship of one of the partners: proof of sole parental authority over the child or a custody ruling, along with evidence that the child is in the applicant’s care.
Birth certificate issued by the competent civil registry. In the case of the children of just one of the spouses or members of the couple, proof that he/she holds sole parental authority over the child or that they have been awarded custody and that the child is effectively in his/her care.

d) Parents:

Birth certificate of the applicant or of the applicant’s spouse or partner, issued by the competent civil registry.
Documentation proving that the ascendant is dependent on them and lack family support from their country of origin

e) Other family members:

Documentation proving the family relationship with the Spanish citizen and that they are financially dependent on them.

Complete copy of the Spanish citizen Passport or National Identity Document (DNI).
Criminal record check certificate. Applicants of legal age must submit both the original and a copy of the criminal record check certificate(s) issued by their country or countries of residence for the past 5 years. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
Medical certificate. Original and a copy of a medical certificate accrediting that the applicant does not suffer from any disease that could cause serious repercussions for public health pursuant to the 2005 International Health Regulations. If the certificate is issued in the United Kingdom, it must state: “This health certificate states that Mr./Mrs. (…) does not suffer from any of the diseases that may have serious public health repercussions in accordance with what is stipulated by the International Health Regulations of 2005.” If the certificate is issued in Spain, it must state: “Este certificado médico acredita que el Sr./Sra. (…) no padece ninguna de las enfermedades que pueden tener repercusiones graves para la salud pública de conformidad con lo estipulado en el Reglamento Sanitario Internacional de 2005." Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
Proof of residence. The applicant must provide a copy of a recent council tax bill as proof of residence in the consular jurisdiction of the Consulate General of Spain in Edinburgh.
Proof of the representative's identity and capacity. If the applicant is a minor, a copy of the identity document or passport of the parent, guardian or representative and of the document constituting proof of kinship or guardianship or power of attorney or the document accrediting representation must be submitted. Original documents must be shown when submitting the application. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
Payment of the visa fee. The visa is free of charge, however, if it is voluntarily applied for at a Visa Application Centre (BLS), there is a basic service fee charged by them. For further details, please visit the BLS website.

All foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled, and if they are written in a language other than Spanish, they must be accompanied by the corresponding translation.

When necessary to assess the application, the Consulate General of Spain in Edinburgh may request additional documents or data and may also ask the applicant to come in for a personal interview.

Procedure

The Consulate General of Spain in Edinburgh is competent to accept visa applications from individuals residing in the consular jurisidiction:

Who can apply for a visa: The visa application must be submitted in person by the applicant. If the applicant is a minor, the application may be submitted by one of the parents or guardians or by a duly accredited representative.

Place of submission: Applications must be submitted in person at the BLS Visa Application Center in Edinburgh (BLS centre address: 6 Dock Place, Suite 1A, Edinburgh, EH6 6LU). Alternatively, you can apply directly through the Consulate General of Spain in Edinburgh. In this instance, an appointment must be arranged well in advance by sending an email to cog.edimburgo.vis@maec.es, which indicates the following details:

Your full name
UK address and postcode
Type of visa you will apply for.
3 dates when you are available to attend an appointment to submit your visa application.

Visa application period: If the Spanish citizen is in Spain and has applied for a residence permit for their family member, the visa application must be submitted within a period of 1 months, from the day following the date on which the favorable resolution of the residence permit is notified.

Proof of receipt: The Consular Office will provide the applicant with proof of receipt of the application with a code that enables them to check the status of the dossier through the following link: https://sutramiteconsular.maec.es/Home.aspx

Rectifying the application: The Consular Office may ask the applicant to submit any missing documents, or to provide additional documents or data that are necessary for a decision regarding the application. The applicant may also be called in for a personal interview.

Decision period: The legal period for reaching a decision is of 2 months as of the day after the application submission date, but this period may be extended in some cases.

Collecting the visa: The visa must be collected in person by the applicant or by their representative (if the applicant is a minor) within a maximum period of 1 month, counted as of the day after the date on which the favourable decision is notified. The Consular Office will inform the applicant regarding the procedure for the return of the passport and any other original documentation.

Visa refusal: Visa refusals will always be notified in writing, setting forth the grounds on which the decision adopted was based.

Appeals: If a visa is refused, the applicant may submit an appeal for reconsideration to this Consular Office within 1 month of the day following the date on which the notification of the refusal is received. An application for judicial review may also be filed with the High Court of Justice of Madrid within the 2-month period beginning the day after the date on which the applicant receives the notification of the visa refusal or of the dismissal of the reconsideration appeal.

Validity period of the visa: The visa will be valid for 1 year. Once in Spain, a Foreigner Identification Card must be applied for within a period of 1 month from the applicant's entry into Spain, at the Foreign Nationals' Office or the Police Station of the province in which the residence permit was processed.

The above information is intended as a guide for visa applicants. Although every effort has been made to ensure that it is as accurate and up to date as possible, this Consulate General assumes no responsibility, legal or otherwise, for its accuracy and refers to current Schengen and national regulations.