Bringing your family on the digital nomad residence
A digital nomad residence holder, or applicant, who wants a spouse or partner, children or dependent parents to live in Spain with them.
From who counts as family to the first school place, and what to do if a baby is born in Spain, in the order the paperwork tends to fall due, with each step linked to a sourced guide.
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The law lists who can be included, parents among them, and the money test grows with every person you add.
When: Before you file for anyone. The holder needs 200% of the minimum wage (SMI) per month, a household of two needs at least 75% of the SMI, and each additional person needs 25% of the SMI. The guide says the FAQ does not spell out how the 75% and 25% combine with the 200% the holder needs and the SMI changes every year, so ask the adviser filing for you to work out your figure for the date you file.
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Each family member needs their own authorisation, with their own health insurance, money and criminal record paperwork.
When: Together with your own application or later. The law lets family apply together and at the same time, or one after the other, and applications filed at the same time as yours are decided at the same time.
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The health card needs the padrón, and the Alicante school office in the guide asks for the family padrón.
When: Early. You do not need to wait for the TIE, because the padrón instruction records the passport number if there is no Spanish ID yet.
Who can help
Anyone with an authorisation of more than six months must request the TIE personally, so every family member goes in person.
When: Within one month of the authorisation being granted or taking effect. The EX-17 form can only be filed in person.
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Who can help
You are recognised first, then your spouse or partner and children are added as beneficiaries. Parents are not on the INSS list, so they need a cover route of their own.
When: Once you are registered in Social Security. The INSS has 30 days to decide, and if it says nothing in that time you may treat the request as refused, so keep the registration receipt. Each person then asks for their own regional health card.
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Who can help
The certificate is personal, so each adult needs their own. A child will not have one, and a parent acts for them where a procedure allows it.
When: When you need to file or sign anything online. The FNMT says certificates can only be requested by people over 18 or by emancipated minors.
Who can help
Schooling is compulsory and free from age 6 to 16, and foreign children under 16 have the right and the duty to basic education. Admission is run by each region.
When: After padrón and health cover in practice, because the guide says those come before school. Arriving mid-year is normal and the law covers it, usually through the extraordinary period, often called escolarización sobrevenida.
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Who can help
The hospital reports the birth, but the baby is not automatically Spanish and has no residence authorisation until a parent applies for one.
When: The hospital communicates the birth to the Registro Civil within 72 hours. If it did not, or the birth was outside a hospital, you have 10 days. Under the aliens regulation the baby application is in person within 6 months of the birth. The guide could not confirm from an official page that the six-month limit applies on the digital nomad route, so treat it as applying and file early.
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This page is general information, not legal advice.