Moving to Spain with your family on the DNV — a complete guide for parents

Spain's Digital Nomad Visa is frequently presented as a solo professional's tool, but a very significant proportion of applications are family applications — couples, families with children, and occasionally applicants who want to bring dependent parents. The DNV is explicitly designed to accommodate families, and the rules for doing so are relatively straightforward once you understand the income uplift structure and the documentation each family member requires.

This article covers every aspect of the family application: who can come, how much more income you need, the choice between applying together or through family reunification, what each family member's documents look like, Spanish schools, healthcare, and the important question of whether your spouse can work.

Who can come with you on the DNV?

Spain's DNV allows you to include the following family members as dependants:

Spouse or civil partner

Your spouse (married partner) or civil partner can be included as a dependant. You will need your marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate, apostilled and, if not in Spanish or English, sworn-translated. Unmarried partners in a long-term relationship can also be included in most cases, but this requires evidence of cohabitation — typically at least 12 months of documented shared residence. Registered domestic partnerships (pareja de hecho) registered in some jurisdictions are also recognised. Discuss your specific relationship status with your case manager.

Dependent children under 18

Children under 18 can be included as dependants. Children over 18 who are studying full-time and financially dependent on you, or who are disabled and financially dependent, may also qualify — but this requires specific evidence of dependency.

Dependent parents

In limited circumstances, parents who are genuinely financially dependent on you can be included. This is significantly more complex than including a spouse or children, requires strong evidence of dependency, and is not available in all cases. Do not assume it is possible — discuss it specifically with your case manager before including parents in your planning.

The income uplift — how much more do you need?

For each additional family member included in your application, the income requirement increases by €1,069/month. This figure equals 75% of Spain's 2026 Salario Mínimo Interprofesional (SMI). All of this income must come from the primary applicant — dependants do not need their own income source.

Family composition	Income required
Solo applicant	€2,849/month
Couple (applicant + spouse)	€3,918/month
Family of 3 (2 adults, 1 child)	€4,987/month
Family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children)	€6,056/month
Family of 5 (2 adults, 3 children)	€7,125/month

The primary applicant's income is assessed against the total threshold. A single earner on €6,056/month or above can bring a family of four without any additional income from the spouse. This is one of the most practical features of the DNV for families — the threshold is income-based, not employment-based for each member.

Applying together vs family reunification

There are two routes to getting your family to Spain on the DNV:

Applying together (simultaneous application)

All family members' applications are prepared and submitted at the same time. This is the simpler approach and is strongly recommended when everyone is ready to move at the same time. The processing is done as a single case, each family member receives their permit together, and you move as a complete family unit.

Family reunification (joining later)

The primary applicant applies first and obtains their DNV. Family members then join later through a family reunification process (reagrupación familiar). This option is useful when, for example, children need to finish their school year before moving, or when a spouse is finalising employment arrangements before the move. Family reunification requires additional steps once the primary applicant is already in Spain and is marginally more complex administratively. If your family won't be joining you immediately, plan the reunification timeline with your case manager from the outset — don't leave it until you're already in Spain.

Documents for family members

Each family member needs their own set of documents. Here is what each person requires:

Spouse or partner

• Their own valid passport
• Marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate (apostilled, sworn translation if not in Spanish/English)
• Their own qualifying Spanish health insurance policy (employed applicants)
• Passport photos (biometric standard)

Children

• Their own valid passport
• Birth certificate (apostilled, sworn translation if required)
• Their own health insurance policy (employed applicant route)
• Passport photos

The primary applicant's criminal record certificate covers the primary applicant only. Children and spouses do not typically need their own criminal record certificates, but confirm this with your case manager as requirements can vary by nationality and route.

Children and Spanish schools

One of the most important practical questions for families is education. Here is what you need to know about schooling options in Spain for children arriving on the DNV.

Spanish state schools — the most common choice

Spain's public education system is free and open to all legal residents, including children on DNV dependant permits. State schools teach primarily in Spanish (Castilian), or in regional languages — Catalan in Catalonia and the Balearics, Valencian in the Valencia region, Galician in Galicia, Basque in the Basque Country — depending on the region you settle in.

Most families report that children adapt to Spanish instruction faster than parents expect. Younger children (primary school age, typically 6–12) tend to become conversationally fluent within 12–18 months. Secondary school children take somewhat longer but still adapt significantly within the first academic year. State schools have experience receiving children who don't yet speak the local language and typically provide some support in the early period.

Enrolment in a Spanish state school

Enrolment is managed through the Consejería de Educación of the autonomous community where you settle. You will need to bring:

• NIE or passport for the child
• Empadronamiento certificate (local census registration — you need a Spanish address first)
• Previous school records (ideally translated into Spanish)
• Vaccination records (useful but not always strictly required)

International schools

International schools teach in English (or other languages) and follow internationally recognised curricula such as the IB (International Baccalaureate) or British A-Level and IGCSE. They are an excellent option for families who need English-language continuity. The cost is significant: fees typically range from €10,000–20,000+ per year per child, and the best schools have waiting lists. If an international school place is important to you, begin that research in parallel with your DNV application.

Healthcare for the family

Employed applicants

Each family member included in the DNV application requires their own qualifying Spanish private health insurance policy. For the employed route, this is a condition of the application itself. Policies for children are typically less expensive than adult policies. Many families find a single family plan from a provider like Sanitas, AXA Salud, or Asisa covers everyone at a reasonable combined premium. Speak to your case manager — our partner 247 Expat Insurance can assist with family-rate policies.

Self-employed applicants

Self-employed applicants registering as autónomo in Spain contribute to the Spanish Social Security system (RETA). This gives you access to Spain's public healthcare system. Dependent family members may be added to your Social Security coverage as beneficiaries — this is handled by your gestor (administrative adviser) during the autónomo registration process. The rules for adding dependants to public cover vary, so confirm the position for your specific situation.

The spouse and the right to work — a critical point

This is one of the most important things for families to understand clearly before making decisions.

A spouse or partner joining your DNV application as a dependant does NOT automatically have the right to work in Spain. They are on your permit as a family member, not as an independent visa holder. Their legal status in Spain is as your dependant — they have the right to reside in Spain, access healthcare, and live normally, but they cannot take employment or operate as self-employed without a separate work authorisation.

Some couples apply simultaneously for individual DNVs — both applying on their own qualifying income. This is entirely possible and means both have full independent working rights in Spain. Discuss this option with your case manager if your spouse plans to work.

Life in Spain with children — what to expect

Beyond the visa and documents, here is an honest picture of what family life in Spain looks like for DNV families.

Language adaptation: It is faster than most parents expect. Children are remarkably adaptable, and Spanish schools provide total immersion. Parents often find their children's Spanish surpasses their own within 12–18 months.

The lifestyle: Spain is an excellent country for children. The outdoor culture — parks, beaches, public squares — means children spend significantly more time outside than in northern Europe. The food culture, the pace of life, and the safety of Spanish cities (Spain consistently ranks among the safest countries in Europe) make it an easy transition for families.

School holidays: Spanish school holidays differ from UK and US schedules. The main summer holiday typically runs from late June to mid-September — longer than UK schools. Christmas and Easter breaks are similar in length. Local fiestas and regional holidays add variation by autonomous community.

The community: Spain has a large and active expatriate community, particularly in Barcelona, Madrid, Málaga, and Valencia. There are English-speaking parent groups, international school communities, and DNV-specific communities on social media that can be helpful for families settling in.