Financial means for Spanish immigration in 2026: how much each procedure requires

Spain's immigration regulations (Real Decreto 1155/2024) do not set amounts in euros, but percentages of a benchmark: the IPREM (public income indicator) for family reunification, non-lucrative residence, studies and arraigo social (residence through social ties); the salario mínimo interprofesional (SMI) (national minimum wage) for arraigo sociolaboral (residence through work ties), employers, international remote work and entry as a tourist. Using the wrong benchmark or the wrong number of months leaves the application short and ends, at best, in a requerimiento (request for documents).

Procedures measured against the IPREM

Procedures measured against the minimum wage

Two warnings. The SMI is paid in fourteen payments: a salary paid in twelve is compared on an annual basis. And for entry, the Ministry of the Interior states €121.10 a day, but 10% of the 2026 SMI is €122.10, the consular figure: better to carry the higher one.

Family reunification: it grows with the family and can go down with minors

The general rule for family reunification (reagrupación familiar) is 150% of the IPREM for two people and 50% more for each additional member: €900 a month for two, €1,200 for three, €1,500 for four. What counts: gross income including extra payments, pensions, savings and assets by their average balance over six months, and what the spouse and first-degree relatives living in the same home earn. What does not count: study or housing grants, maintenance payments (pensiones de alimentos) or social assistance (art. 67.1).

With minor children, the figure can go down if the child's best interests call for it: for a family of two, with one minor, 110% of the annual guaranteed income of the Ingreso Mínimo Vital (minimum living income), and 10% more for each additional minor (art. 67.1). You have to ask for it and justify it. Hoja informativa 8 adds that, with minors, a stable source of income equal to or above the SMI is enough.

Non-lucrative residence: the money is multiplied by the months

It is the only procedure that requires the means for the whole validity period of the authorisation (art. 62.2). The initial one lasts one year (art. 61.4): €28,800, plus €7,200 per family member. The renewed one lasts two (art. 64.7): €57,600, plus €14,400 per family member. A regular income, such as a pension, of that monthly amount also counts.

With accounts abroad, the certificate must give the bank and its address, the accounts, their opening date, the balance at 31 December and the average balance for the year (art. 62.3). And to renew, you must have lived in Spain for more than 183 days of the year (art. 64.2.f).

Parents of a Spanish citizen: the non-contributory pension

The parents of a Spanish citizen, or of their spouse or partner, can live with them if they are dependent on them and have no family support in their own country (art. 94.1.e). The person supporting them must earn at least the annual non-contributory pension divided by twelve, €733.60 a month in 2026 for a family of two, or €953.68 if there are more, or have assets of €26,409.60 or €34,332.48 (art. 196.3.d). Transfers of at least 51% of their country's GDP per capita over the last year create a presumption of dependency (art. 196.3.c).

Since the Tribunal Supremo (Supreme Court) ruling of 8 July 2026, the dependency no longer has to have arisen in the country of origin: it counts even if the parents are already in Spain.