Spain Immigration Paperwork for Minors: Guide 2026

The problem many parents run into on the immigration e-office site

You're about to file your minor child's residency paperwork. You log into the sede electrónica de extranjería (Spain's immigration e-office), start filling out the form, and it asks for the date of birth. And this is where the doubt comes in: do the applicant fields take your details or your child's?

It's a common misunderstanding. The form isn't meant for the minor to file on their own. You're the one filing the case, as their legal representative (unless the minor is emancipated, and with a nuance for nationality from age 14 that you'll see below). And the system needs you to do it in a very specific way.

The fix: acting "on behalf of" your child

Here's the correct procedure:

1. Log in to the immigration e-office with your digital certificate or your electronic DNI. The home page of the Public Administrations e-office puts it this way: «You can carry out all your administrative procedures with just a digital certificate or your electronic DNI».
2. On the form, look for the option "Actuar en representación de" ("Act on behalf of") or "Representante" ("Representative").
3. Fill out two separate data blocks:
   • APPLICANT (INTERESADO): your minor child's details (name, passport, NIE if they have one, date of birth).
   • REPRESENTATIVE (REPRESENTANTE): your own details as the parent (name, DNI/NIE, digital certificate).
4. Attach documentation proving you are their parent or guardian (family record book, apostilled birth certificate, guardianship ruling).

The most common procedures for minors

1. Residency for a foreign minor

There are two different scenarios here, because the form itself changes depending on the case:

• Bringing over a minor child (a parent with legal residency who's bringing their kids to join them): this is handled through family reunification using form EX-02.
• A residency authorization in the minor's own name (a foreign minor who needs their own residency card, not tied to a reunification process): this is handled with form EX-25 ("temporary residence authorization and temporary relocation of foreign minors").

In both cases the fee is modelo 790, code 052 (residency authorizations; €10.94 for the initial authorization for family reunification or for accompanied minors, items 2.1.2 and 2.1.5 of Order PJC/617/2025), and in practice:

• The parent with legal residency files the application.
• It's signed with the parent's digital certificate.
• You'll need to show sufficient financial means to support the minor and suitable housing.
• If the minor is the child of only one of the spouses, family reunification also requires that this parent «exercises parental authority alone or has been granted custody and the children are effectively in their care» (Article 17.1.b of Organic Law 4/2000). For the minor's own authorization (EX-25), the custody and consent conditions are in Article 160 of the Regulations (Royal Decree 1155/2024); part of its sections 1 and 2 was annulled by the Supreme Court (ruling of July 8, 2026).

2. Spanish nationality by residency

There's an important distinction here based on the minor's age:

• Under 14: the application is filed exclusively by the legal representative. The minor doesn't sign anything.
• Ages 14 to 17: the minor files the application themselves, «assisted by their legal representative» (Article 21.3.b of the Civil Code); if they are emancipated, they file it on their own (Article 21.3.a). The application is filed online. The in-person appearance before the competent official comes afterward: once nationality is granted, a minor over fourteen «and capable of making a declaration by themselves» must swear or promise allegiance to the King and obedience to the Constitution and the laws (Article 23.a of the Civil Code). It has to be done in time: the grant lapses «one hundred and eighty days after its notification» if, within that period, the person does not appear to meet the requirements of Article 23 (Article 21.4).

The required residency period to apply for nationality varies (Article 22 of the Civil Code): 10 years as the general rule; 5 for recognized refugees; 2 for nationals by origin of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea or Portugal, and for Sephardic Jews; and 1 year in several cases, including anyone born in Spain or who has been legally under the guardianship, curatorship with full powers of representation, custody or foster care of a Spanish citizen or institution for two consecutive years. In every case, residency must be «legal, continuous and immediately prior to the application» (Article 22.3). The application is now processed online through the Ministry of Justice.

3. Renewing the authorization and the TIE (Foreign National ID Card)

What expires is the residence authorization; the TIE only documents it. If the minor holds a temporary authorization (for example, through family reunification), there are two procedures and two fees:

• Renew the authorization. The parent files the application on the minor's behalf, with the modelo 790, code 052 fee (€16.40 for a family-reunification renewal, item 2.2.2 of Order PJC/617/2025). Deadline: «within the two months before it expires or within the three months after that date» (Article 71.1 of the Regulations, Royal Decree 1155/2024). Filing within the three months afterward is possible, but «without prejudice to the opening of the corresponding penalty proceedings» (same section). You also have to keep the minors in your care who are of compulsory school age enrolled in school and prove it with a report from the regional government (Articles 71.3.d and 71.4.c of the Regulations; Article 9.4 of Organic Law 4/2000).
• Request the new card once the authorization has been renewed, with the modelo 790, code 012 fee (€19.30, item 4.3), at an in-person appointment where fingerprints are taken if required for the minor's age. How to fill in the form: EX-17 form guide.

If the minor is a long-term resident, there's no authorization to renew: only the card is renewed, with the 012 fee (€21.87, item 4.5).

Documents you'll need for almost every procedure

Although each procedure has its own quirks, here's the baseline documentation you'll be asked for in practically every immigration case involving a minor:

• The minor's valid passport (original and full copy).
• The minor's NIE or TIE, if they already have one.
• The parent's DNI or NIE — whoever is acting as the representative.
• The representative's digital certificate or electronic DNI, if you're filing through the e-office. Cl@ve Permanente isn't a certificate: it's an identification system based on a username and password.
• The minor's birth certificate, apostilled and translated if applicable.
• Family record book (libro de familia) or equivalent document proving parentage.
• Proof of municipal registration (padrón) for the minor in the municipality where they usually reside (Article 15 of Law 7/1985).
• Proof of fee payment (modelo 790, code depends on the procedure).

The 5 most common mistakes (and how to avoid them)

1. Entering the minor's date of birth in the applicant field. As we explained, you're the applicant. Your date of birth goes in the representative/applicant field.
2. Not checking the representation box. The form separates the person concerned (your child) from the person representing them (you); if you skip it, nothing shows that you're acting on their behalf.
3. Not attaching the custody or parentage document. Without a family record book, birth certificate, or court ruling, the authorities can't verify parentage or guardianship.
4. Trying to use the minor's own digital certificate. The FNMT puts it this way: «Certificates can only be issued to adults or to legally emancipated minors»; for foreign nationals, the age of majority is that of their country, «between 18 and 21 years old». The representative signs (unless the minor is emancipated).
5. Submitting foreign documents without an apostille or sworn translation. A birth certificate issued in another country needs a Hague Apostille (or consular legalization) and a sworn translation into Spanish. Without these, the document isn't valid.

How a minor's NIE/TIE is handled

Foreign minors legally residing in Spain are entitled to their own NIE (Foreigner ID Number) and, when applicable, a TIE (Foreign National ID Card) that serves as physical proof. This is handled by the parent or legal representative:

1. Initial application: this is filed together with the parent's, usually as part of the same family residency or reunification process. If the family is already in Spain with separate authorizations and a minor arrives later, it's handled through family reunification.
2. Fingerprinting: it's done at the TIE appointment and is compulsory "a partir de los seis años de edad" (from the age of six; art. 4 ter of Regulation (EC) 1030/2002, as worded by Regulation (EC) 380/2008).
3. Renewal: it depends on the type of authorization the minor holds. A renewed family-reunification authorization «shall be valid for four years», and that validity «shall be conditional on the continued validity of the residence authorization held by the sponsoring person» (Article 71.6 of the Regulations).

The TIE is requested at an in-person appointment: the regulation says the card must be requested "personalmente" (in person; art. 209.1 of Royal Decree 1155/2024), so a representative acting through the e-office isn't enough. The parent or guardian goes to the appointment at the police station or immigration office with the minor. If your child is very young, check what your office requires when you book the appointment.

Differences depending on the minor's age

Unemancipated minors are legally represented by whoever holds parental authority (Article 162 of the Civil Code, with the exceptions it lists), and there are still important practical nuances depending on the age range:

Children ages 0 to 5

The key document is the full, apostilled, and translated birth certificate if the child was born abroad.

Children ages 6 to 13

Their own passport (if issued by their home country) and, if the child lives with only one parent, the custody or consent documents their procedure requires: for the family reunification of a child of only one of the spouses, that this parent «exercises parental authority alone or has been granted custody and the children are effectively in their care» (Article 17.1.b of Organic Law 4/2000).

Teens ages 14 to 17

For nationality, from age 14 the minor files the application «assisted by their legal representative» (Article 21.3.b of the Civil Code). In immigration authorizations, their parent keeps representing them for as long as they are an unemancipated minor (Article 162 of the Civil Code).

Registering a minor on the padrón

Registering the minor on the padrón (empadronamiento) is an obligation: «Everyone living in Spain is required to register on the Padrón of the municipality where they usually reside» (Article 15 of Law 7/1985 on Local Government). The article doesn't make it conditional on anyone's administrative status.

• If the minor arrives in Spain with their parents, registration happens together with the rest of the family. The parent goes to the town hall with their own ID, the minor's birth certificate (apostilled and translated if issued abroad), and the lease or the property owner's authorization.
• If the minor arrives later and is left in the care of a relative (grandparents, aunts/uncles), that relative has to prove guardianship through parental authorization or a court ruling.
• Registration on the padrón does NOT require an NIE or residency authorization beforehand. The padrón is a population census, not an immigration registry.

Important: registering them early helps with many procedures, including finding a school. But the right to education doesn't depend on the padrón or on immigration status: «Foreign nationals under sixteen have the right and the duty to education, which includes access to basic, free and compulsory education» (Article 9.1 of Organic Law 4/2000).

When one parent lives outside Spain

This is a common situation: the minor lives in Spain with one parent, while the other remains in the home country. Spanish regulations are strict about legal representation when only one parent is present:

• Consent from the absent parent: the rules don't require a notarized authorization for «any procedure»; what's required depends on the procedure. For the family reunification of a child of only one of the spouses, that the sponsoring parent «exercises parental authority alone or has been granted custody and the children are effectively in their care» (Article 17.1.b of Organic Law 4/2000); for the minor's own authorization (EX-25), the custody or consent required by Article 160 of the Regulations. If the consent document is signed in another country, it must be apostilled and translated.
• Court ruling granting sole custody: if the parents are separated or divorced and the parent in Spain has sole custody by court order, that ruling replaces the notarized authorization. Always bring the original or an authentic copy. Note: Law 39/2015 doesn't regulate copies of a court ruling; under its Article 27.6, the issuing of authentic copies of «notarial, registry and court» public documents «shall be governed by their specific legislation».
• Deceased parent: an apostilled and translated death certificate. The surviving parent becomes the sole legal representative.

In every case, foreign documents must carry an apostille under the Hague Convention and be translated by a certified sworn translator if they're in a language other than Spanish or a co-official language.

Frequently asked questions

Does my child need an NIE if they're only going to study in Spain for one school year?
Yes. The minor's study stay is in their own name, tied to the school, and the ID document is theirs too.

Can my child travel to Spain with just a passport if I already have residency?
They need a visa or entry authorization (depending on nationality and reason for travel). If they're entering as a tourist for under 90 days, they don't need an NIE; if they're staying, they do.

Do my children's TIEs renew automatically when I renew mine?
No, not automatically — you need to file a renewal application for each child. A renewed family-reunification authorization lasts four years, and its validity depends on the sponsor's (Article 71.6 of the Regulations).

What happens if my child turns 18 while the process is underway?
It depends on the procedure: the rules don't set one common answer for all of them. Ask the immigration office how yours continues. What the law does set is the right to education: if they turn 18 during the school year, they keep it until the year ends (Article 9.1 of Organic Law 4/2000). For later procedures, they act as an adult.

Can I submit everything through the e-office with my digital certificate?
Yes, acting on behalf of your child. The forms include an "act on behalf of" option to add the minor as the applicant. Fingerprinting and physical TIE pickup do require an in-person appointment at the police station, though.

Can a minor get a health card without a residence authorization?
Yes, with conditions. The law gives foreign nationals who are not registered or authorized as residents the right to healthcare «under the same conditions as Spanish nationals». It's publicly funded if they aren't required to prove health coverage through another route (under EU law, bilateral agreements and other applicable rules), can't export the coverage from their own country and there's no third party liable to pay; and anyone in a temporary-stay situation also needs a prior favorable report from the regional social services (Article 3 ter of Law 16/2003). Each region sets the procedure for the document.

Which of my child's documents expire and need renewing?
Passport (its validity is set by the issuing country), TIE (tied to the authorization) and, if you're asked for a recent padrón certificate, the maximum age of the certificate is set by whoever asks for it.

Are there reduced fees for minors?
Under the fees order (Order PJC/617/2025), the initial residence authorization for accompanied minors costs €10.94 (item 2.1.5), the same as the other initial authorizations; the TIE for minors under the guardianship of a public body is free (item 4.7). Residence authorizations are paid with modelo 790, code 052, and the card (TIE) with modelo 790, code 012 on the Spanish National Police e-office.

Official sources and applicable regulations

All the information in this guide is based on regulations in effect as of 2026:

• Online filing of immigration applications: Mercurio platform (check there which forms it accepts; not every form is filed this way).
• Organic Law 4/2000 (LOEX), Articles 16 to 19 (family reunification) and Article 31 (temporary residency).
• Royal Decree 1155/2024, which approves the Regulations of Organic Law 4/2000 (repealing the previous Regulations, Royal Decree 557/2011): Articles 71 (family-reunification renewal), 160 (accompanied minors) and 197 (filing and representation).
• Order PJC/617/2025, on immigration fees (modelo 790, codes 052 and 012).
• Ministry of Justice — nationality-by-residency procedures: mjusticia.gob.es
• Civil Code, Articles 154 to 170 (parental authority and legal representation of minors; Article 171 has been repealed since 2021) and 21 to 23 (nationality by residency).

Wrapping up

Immigration procedures for minors carry an extra layer of complexity due to legal representation and the additional documentation needed when one parent isn't present. But the general principle is simple: a minor has the same administrative rights as an adult — they just act through whoever holds their legal representation.

The most important thing is to prepare your documentation ahead of time: apostilled and translated birth certificate, consent or a custody ruling from the other parent if your procedure requires it, an up-to-date padrón registration, and a valid passport. Once you have all that, the steps are the same as for an adult, just adjusted for representation.

More related resources:

• Family reunification visa
• 2026 regularization — general guide (includes family units with minors)
• What documents you need depending on your case
• Family visa for relatives of Spanish citizens
• Family visa for relatives of EU citizens

Last updated: October 2, 2026. Immigration rules change frequently: for important procedures, always check the Ministry of Inclusion website or consult a specialized professional.