Spain Student Visa Family Dependant Requirements
Every document you need for every family configuration — spouse, partner, and children — in one exhaustive reference table. Format requirements, translation obligations, and financial thresholds all in one place.
Reading the Checklist
This page is organised into four tables: (1) documents required of the student for all family applications, (2) documents required of every adult dependant regardless of relationship, (3) additional documents specific to spouse/partner applications, and (4) additional documents specific to child applications. Use the quick-jump links below to navigate.
Always confirm with your specific consulate
Spanish consulates operate with a degree of autonomy. The requirements listed here reflect standard practice for 2026, but individual consulates — particularly in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia — sometimes impose additional requirements or slightly different format rules. Our lawyers confirm requirements with the specific consulate that has jurisdiction over your application before submission. This avoids surprises.
Documents the Student Must Provide for All Family Applications
The student (the principal visa holder) must provide these documents in support of every dependant application, regardless of whether the dependant is a spouse, partner, or child.
| Document | Who provides it | Format required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copy of student's approved visa / residence authorisation | Student | Clear photocopy of the visa page or authorisation document | This is the anchor document proving the student's legal status; dependant applications cannot proceed without it |
| Student's valid passport | Student | Photocopy of bio-data page and any visa pages | Some consulates require the original to be produced at the appointment |
| Proof of enrolment / acceptance letter | Educational institution in Spain | Original or certified copy on institution letterhead, signed and stamped | Must show: course name, start and end dates, full-time status (typically 20+ hours/week), institution's accreditation |
| Financial evidence — bank statements | Student (or financial sponsor) | Official bank statements covering the past 3–6 months, certified if required by the bank | Must show sufficient funds for the student PLUS all dependants — see financial thresholds table below |
| Scholarship / grant award letter (if applicable) | Scholarship body | Original or certified copy on official letterhead | Must state monthly amounts and duration; used in lieu of or in addition to bank statements |
| Proof of accommodation in Spain | Student or landlord | Signed rental contract (minimum 1 year preferred) or letter from accommodation provider | The accommodation must be suitable in size for the whole family; studios shared with other tenants may raise questions |
| Sponsor letter with financial documentation (if applicable) | Third-party sponsor (e.g., parent) | Notarised letter of financial responsibility + sponsor's bank statements + sponsor's ID | Used when student's own funds are insufficient; sponsor accepts legal financial responsibility |
Documents Required of Every Adult Dependant
These documents must be submitted by every adult dependant — whether spouse, registered partner, or an adult in another qualifying category — regardless of their relationship to the student.
| Document | Who provides it | Format required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Completed national long-stay visa application form (Form EX-01 or consulate equivalent) | Dependant applicant | Original, signed and dated; available from the consulate website | Some consulates have their own forms; always use the form current at the time of application |
| Valid passport | Dependant applicant | Original + photocopy of all used pages; must have at least 1 year of remaining validity beyond the intended residence period | Some consulates accept 6 months remaining; confirm with your consulate |
| Two recent colour passport photographs | Dependant applicant | 35mm x 45mm; white background; ICAO compliant; taken within the last 6 months | Photographs with coloured or busy backgrounds are rejected; no spectacles in some consulates |
| Criminal record certificate | National police authority of country of residence (and nationality if different) | Official certificate issued within the 3 months immediately preceding the application; apostilled + sworn Spanish translation | Must cover the last 5 years as a minimum; some countries issue these slowly — apply early |
| Private health insurance certificate | Insurance provider | Policy document or certificate of cover; in English or Spanish; issued by a company authorised to operate in Spain | Minimum €30,000 coverage; no co-payments; valid throughout all of Spain; must cover the full intended residence period |
| Visa application fee | Dependant applicant | Payment to consulate at time of submission | Fee amounts vary by consulate and nationality; confirm current fee before appointment |
Additional Documents: Spouse & Registered Partner
These documents are required in addition to the shared dependant documents (Table 2) for all spouse and registered partner applications.
| Document | Who provides it | Format required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marriage certificate (for married couples) | Issuing civil registry or government authority | Official certified copy; apostilled; sworn Spanish translation | Must be the official state/government issued certificate — not a church certificate or commemorative certificate |
| Civil partnership registration certificate (for registered partners) | Issuing government authority (registry, municipal authority) | Official certified copy; apostilled; sworn Spanish translation | Must be issued by the government authority that maintains the official register of civil partnerships; private partnership agreements are insufficient alone |
| Evidence of genuine relationship (recommended) | Both parties | Joint bank statements, joint utility bills, photographs together, joint travel history, correspondence | Not always formally required but strongly recommended; some consulates request it; helps guard against a marriage of convenience allegation |
| Divorce decree absolute (if previously married) | Court that issued the decree | Certified copy; apostilled; sworn Spanish translation | Required for both student and spouse if either was previously married; confirms the current marriage is legally valid |
Same-sex couples: no additional documents required
Spain treats same-sex marriages and registered partnerships identically to opposite-sex ones. Same-sex applicants do not face any additional documentary requirements beyond those listed above. Your marriage or partnership certificate from any country is accepted provided it meets the apostille and sworn translation requirements.
Additional Documents: Children Under 18
These documents are required in addition to Table 2 for minor child applications. Note that minor children under a certain age (typically under 14) may not need to submit a criminal record certificate.
| Document | Who provides it | Format required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full birth certificate | Civil registry of the country of birth | Official certified copy; apostilled; sworn Spanish translation | Must show both parents' names; hospital or medical birth records are not the same as a civil registry birth certificate and are not accepted |
| Adoption decree (if legally adopted) | Court that issued the adoption order | Certified copy of the final adoption order; apostilled; sworn Spanish translation | Must be a final (not interim) adoption order from a competent court; recognition of foreign adoptions may involve additional steps in Spain |
| Parental consent from absent parent | The absent parent | Written declaration; notarised; apostilled; sworn Spanish translation | Required when only one parent is relocating and the other retains parental rights; must specifically name the child, destination, and purpose |
| Sole custody court order (if applicable) | Court that issued the order | Certified copy; apostilled; sworn Spanish translation | Substitutes for parental consent when the travelling parent has exclusive legal custody; must be the operative court order, not simply a reference to one |
| Death certificate of absent parent (if applicable) | Civil registry | Certified copy; apostilled; sworn Spanish translation | Substitutes for parental consent when the other parent is deceased |
| Child's passport | Child | Original + photocopy; valid for at least 1 year beyond intended residence | Children must hold their own passport — they cannot be included on a parent's passport under current international standards |
How Much Money Is Required for Different Family Configurations
The IPREM (Indicador Público de Renta de Efectos Múltiples) is updated annually. For 2026 it stands at approximately €600/month (€7,200/year). The following thresholds are derived from standard consulate practice for student visa family applications.
| Family configuration | Monthly minimum | Annual minimum | IPREM multiple |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student only | ~€600 | ~€7,200 | 100% |
| Student + spouse or partner | ~€1,200 | ~€14,400 | 200% |
| Student + 1 child (no spouse) | ~€900 | ~€10,800 | 150% |
| Student + spouse + 1 child | ~€1,500 | ~€18,000 | 250% |
| Student + spouse + 2 children | ~€1,800 | ~€21,600 | 300% |
| Student + spouse + 3 children | ~€2,100 | ~€25,200 | 350% |
Accepted forms of financial evidence
Bank statements (past 3–6 months) in the student's name or a joint account; scholarship/grant award letters confirming monthly amounts; employment income evidence (payslips + contract) if the student is also legally working in Spain; a notarised third-party sponsorship letter with the sponsor's bank statements and ID. All non-Spanish/English financial documents must be accompanied by a sworn Spanish translation.
Health Insurance Rules for Family Dependant Applicants
Every applicant — student and each dependant — must demonstrate private health insurance. The rules are specific and non-negotiable at the consulate stage.
| Requirement | Specification | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum coverage | €30,000 per person | Lifetime or per-incident; confirm with your insurer which applies |
| Co-payment / excess | None permitted (no copagos) | Policies with any deductible or excess charged to the patient are not accepted; the policy must be fully comprehensive |
| Geographic coverage | All of Spain (all autonomous communities) | Policies limited to specific regions are not accepted; repatriation coverage is not a substitute |
| Duration | Must cover the full intended residence period | A 3-month travel policy is not sufficient; ideally 1 year minimum for an annual student visa |
| Issuing company | Authorised to operate in Spain | Major international insurers (Adeslas, Sanitas, Allianz Care, Cigna Global, AXA) are generally accepted; check the insurer's Spain coverage explicitly |
| Named insured | Each applicant must be individually named | A family policy is acceptable if each family member is individually identified in the policy document |
| Language of policy | English or Spanish | Policies in other languages must be accompanied by a certified (not necessarily sworn) translation; check with your consulate |
Understanding Spain's Sworn Translation Requirement
The sworn translation requirement (traducción jurada) is one of the most frequently misunderstood aspects of Spanish visa applications. A regular professional translation — even a certified one — is not the same as a sworn translation and will be rejected.
What is a sworn translation?
A sworn translation is a translation produced by a translator who has been officially accredited and registered by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation (MAEC). The translator signs a declaration that the translation is accurate and complete, and the declaration carries legal weight. This is different from any other form of certified or notarised translation.
Which documents need sworn translation?
All foreign-language official documents in your family application must be sworn-translated: birth certificates, marriage certificates, civil partnership certificates, criminal record certificates, divorce decrees, adoption orders, custody orders, parental consent declarations, and death certificates. Documents already in Spanish or English: some consulates accept these without translation; confirm with your consulate.
How to find a MAEC-registered sworn translator
The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains a public register of sworn translators on its website (exteriores.gob.es). You can search by language pair. We maintain a vetted network of sworn translators for all major language pairs as part of our client service — we organise translations directly so you do not have to source a translator yourself.
What is an apostille and when is it needed?
An apostille is a form of international legalisation under the Hague Convention of 1961 that certifies the authenticity of an official document for use in another signatory country. Spain and most countries are Hague Convention signatories. Any official document issued outside Spain for use in a Spanish visa application must be apostilled — applied at the relevant government authority (state department, foreign office, court authority) in the country that issued the document.
Requirements: Common Questions
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