Family members of EU Blue Card holders and holders of Spain’s national highly qualified professional permit may generally apply at the same time as the main applicant or after the main permit has been approved.
Once an EU Blue Card or a Spanish national permit for highly qualified professionals has been granted, bringing family members to Spain often becomes the next priority. These cases should not be confused with the standard family reunification procedure, which may be subject to different residence requirements.
Eligible family members may submit their applications jointly and at the same time as the principal applicant. They may also apply after the main residence permit has been approved, generally without waiting for the principal holder to complete one year of residence in Spain or obtain a first renewal.
Spain provides two principal residence routes for highly qualified professionals: the EU Blue Card and the national residence permit for highly qualified professionals. The qualification, professional experience, employment and salary requirements differ between the two routes, but eligible relatives may apply for residence as family members of the principal permit holder.
Eligible relatives generally include a spouse or qualifying partner, minor children and adult children who remain financially dependent on the principal holder and have not formed an independent family unit. Dependent parents may also qualify where genuine and continuing financial dependency can be properly demonstrated.
Applications normally require valid passports, evidence of the family relationship, the principal holder’s approval or residence permit, proof of sufficient financial resources and health insurance. Adult applicants may also need to submit criminal record certificates. Foreign civil-status documents generally require legalisation or an apostille and an official Spanish translation.
The family member’s residence status is normally linked to the validity of the principal holder’s permit. Family members who have reached the legal working age are generally authorised to work in Spain as employees or on a self-employed basis without obtaining a separate standard work permit. The supporting documents should be reviewed carefully, particularly for unmarried partners, dependent adult children and dependent parents.
