Once you have a valid work permit, most European countries allow you to bring your spouse and dependent children through a family reunification procedure — but it usually isn't automatic, and comes with its own requirements.
Income Thresholds
Nearly every country requires proof that you earn enough to support your family without relying on public assistance — typically calculated as your income relative to the local minimum wage or social benefit threshold, adjusted for family size. This is checked at the time of application, so timing matters if your income has recently changed.
Housing Proof
You'll generally need to show your accommodation is large enough for the family members joining you, based on minimum square-meter-per-person standards that vary by country. A studio apartment, for instance, is unlikely to qualify for a family of four.
Typical Wait Times
Processing commonly takes three to nine months depending on the country and how complete your initial application is. Countries with digitized application systems (like several Nordic countries) tend to process faster than those relying primarily on in-person embassy appointments.
What You'll Typically Need
- Proof of relationship: marriage certificate or birth certificates, often requiring official translation and sometimes an apostille.
- Proof of income meeting the local threshold.
- Proof of adequate housing.
- Valid health insurance covering the family members joining you.
Some countries also require the joining spouse to demonstrate a basic level of the local language before arrival — check this specifically, as it's one of the more commonly missed requirements.