If you are already living in Tenerife as a retiree and want your spouse to join you, the procedure depends on your nationality and type of residence. In practice, there are two pathways:

1. EU regime (if you are a citizen of the EU/EEA/Switzerland, or a British national covered by the Withdrawal Agreement/“Article 50 TIE”).
2. General regime (if you are non-EU, for example, a British citizen who arrived after Brexit or another third-country national, with non-lucrative, long-term, or similar residence).

Below you will find the requirements, documents, deadlines, and how healthcare and the NIE/TIE fit into each case.

Scenario A) You are an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen (or British with Article 50 TIE)

What residence card does your spouse obtain?

• If your spouse is non-EU: they apply for the Residence card for family members of an EU citizen (TIE for family members). It is processed at the Police/Immigration office using form EX–19 and form 790/012 fee. Initial validity: 5 years.
• If your spouse is EU: they obtain their EU registration certificate (green NIE) if they will reside more than 3 months. They must apply within 3 months of entry.

Common requirements for family members of EU citizens (when the spouse is non-EU)

• Marriage or registered partnership certificate (legalised/apostilled and translated, if applicable).
• Your situation in Spain: passport/ID and, if you are EU, your EU registration certificate.

• Financial means and healthcare:

  • As a retiree, you can show sufficient resources (pension, savings) and health coverage.

  • If you receive a pension from another EU country (or the UK under the Withdrawal Agreement), you can register the S1 form with Social Security. In many cases, the S1 also allows you to add dependent family members.

• Processing time: up to 3 months. Fees: Form 790 code 012.


Brexit note: If you are a British citizen with Article 50 TIE (resident in Spain before 31/12/2020), your family members retain a status similar to free movement and are issued a specific TIE (using form EX–23), as long as the conditions of the Withdrawal Agreement are met.

Scenario B) You are non-EU (e.g., non-lucrative or long-term resident)

Here applies the family reunification procedure under the general regime (Aliens Act and Immigration Regulations).

When can you apply?

• Once you have lived in Spain for at least 1 year and your residence has been renewed for at least another year (or if you already hold long-term or long-term EU residence).


Economic requirements (IPREM)

• For 2 family members (you + spouse), you must prove at least 150% of the IPREM monthly.

• For each additional family member, add +50% of the IPREM.


El Ministerio mantiene estos umbrales como referencia oficial. (No entro en cifras exactas porque el IPREM se actualiza por Presupuestos; aplicaremos el vigente al presentar el expediente).

Other requirements and steps

• Adequate housing (sometimes requires a housing report).

• Healthcare coverage (public healthcare, S1 or private insurance) and no criminal record for the spouse.

• You submit the EX–02 application (family reunification residence permit) in Spain. Once approved, your spouse applies for the visa at the Spanish consulate in their country and, after entering Spain, requests the TIE within 1 month.


Deadlines: the regulation sets fixed deadlines; as a guideline, the administration usually takes up to 45 days to resolve the authorisation, followed by the consular visa and TIE issuance.

NIE, TIE and registration: what does each mean?

• NIE: identification number. It will appear on your EU certificate (if you are EU) or TIE. Your spouse will always end up with an NIE.
• TIE: physical residence card for non-EU citizens; it proves their residence (EU family member or family reunification). It is issued at the Police station with fingerprints and form 790/012 fee.

• Municipal registration (empadronamiento): advisable to register as soon as possible at the local Town Hall (helps with healthcare, local procedures, and proof of address).


Healthcare: how your spouse can get coverage in the Canary Islands

If you are an EU/UK pensioner with exportable rights, register your S1 form with Social Security (INSS) and obtain your Health Card with the Canary Islands Health Service.
In many cases, your spouse can be included as a beneficiary under your S1 (depending on the pension rules of the paying country).


• If there is no S1:

  • EU regime: usually requires private medical insurance covering Spain.

  • General regime: the spouse may obtain coverage as your dependent beneficiary or by subscribing to the Convenio Especial (public healthcare scheme with a monthly fee).


Practical documentation (basic list)

For the spouse

• Valid passport.

• Marriage or registered partnership certificate (legalised/apostilled and, if necessary, sworn translation).

• Criminal record certificate (depending on consular procedure).


For you (sponsor)

• Passport/ID and EU registration certificate (or valid TIE if non-EU).

• Proof of sufficient financial means (pension, bank statements, savings).

• Healthcare coverage: S1 registration or valid private medical insurance.


Fees: in Police procedures, form 790/012 is used (for TIE/Certificates). For general regime reunification, the EX–02 form and specific fees apply (calculated when preparing the case).

Frequently Asked Questions

1) Does an “unregistered partnership” count?
For the EU regime, Spain recognises registered partnerships, and in some cases duly proven stable relationships. In practice, having a registered partnership or marriage is far more secure.

2) When can my spouse enter Spain?

• EU regime (non-EU spouse): they may enter with their visa (if required by nationality) and apply for the family member card in Spain.

• General regime: first the authorisation in Spain (EX–02), then the consular visa, and once in Spain, the TIE within 1 month.


3) Can I travel abroad while my TIE is being processed?
In certain cases you can request an “autorización de regreso” (return authorisation) while your renewal or issuance is pending; it depends on each situation.

4) How long does it take?
The EU family member card must be resolved within 3 months.
General regime family reunification follows the deadlines set by regulation; in practice, usually up to 45 days for the permit, plus visa and fingerprint appointment for the TIE.


Expert tips to avoid mistakes

• Start with healthcare: if you are entitled to an S1, register it first; it makes proving coverage for your spouse much easier.

• Foreign documents: check whether they require Apostille of The Hague and sworn translation.

• Prove income clearly: pensions, bank statements, deposits, and a simple explanatory letter; in the general regime, calculate the IPREM thresholds correctly (150% for 2 members + 50% per additional member).

• Appointments: book appointments in advance at Immigration and Police (for fingerprints).


Can we help you with your case?

At Asesoría Quintero we prepare the complete application (EU or general regime), coordinate S1/INSS, sworn translations, fees and appointments at the Immigration Office in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Police. This way your spouse can settle with you in Tenerife with legal certainty and peace of mind.

Direct contact → We review your situation (EU, Article 50 TIE, non-lucrative, long-term), list the exact documents you need, and give you realistic timelines for each step.

This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute individual legal advice. We always verify the applicable regulations and administrative practice at the time your application is submitted.