Moving to Europe as a Couple: Visa Options for US Citizens

Introduction

Planning to relocate to Europe with your partner or spouse? Whether you're both US citizens or one of you is a non-US national, many European countries offer partner or family reunification visas that allow couples to live together legally while one partner works or studies.

In this guide, we break down the most common ways couples can move to Europe together in 2026, including eligibility criteria, key documents, timelines, and fees. Note: Recent EU and national updates, such as Portugal's Lei 61/2025 (effective October 2025) and Spain's fee adjustments (January 2026), have introduced stricter housing proofs, integration requirements, and processing timelines in some countries.

Visa Options for Couples Moving to Europe

1. Family Reunification (Spouse/Partner) Visas

This is the most common route when one partner already has a valid visa (e.g., EU Blue Card, Work Visa, Student Visa).

Who is Eligible:

• Married couples
• Registered civil partners
• In some countries, long-term unmarried couples with proof of cohabitation

Countries Offering This:

• Germany: Spouse visa under EU Blue Card, work permit holders
• France: Accompanying family visa for talent passport, researchers
• Portugal: Family reunification with D7, digital nomad, or work visa (now with expanded exceptions under 2025 reforms)
• Spain: Reunification after 1 year of residence (exceptions for some visa types)

Key Requirements by Country

🇩🇪 Germany

• Sponsor must hold a valid visa or residence permit
• Spouse usually needs A1 German language certificate (waived for Blue Card holders, highly skilled workers, or spouses of German citizens)
• Adequate income & health insurance
• Where to apply: German consulates
• Fees: €75
• Processing Time: 2–4 months

Recent Updates (2026): Facilitated reunification for skilled workers under the Skilled Immigration Act—no language requirement for spouses of certain professionals. A freeze on reunification for subsidiary-protected migrants (since July 2025) does not affect standard spouse visas.

🇫🇷 France

• Must prove legal relationship
• Income, housing, and health insurance required (sponsor must have resided in France for at least 18 months for general cases; exemptions for talent passport/ICT holders)
• Spouse can often work depending on visa of sponsor
• Where to apply: https://france-visas.gouv.fr
• Fees: €99
• Processing Time: 4–8 weeks

Recent Updates (2026): A new mandatory civic exam (40 questions) and higher language proficiency (B1/B2) apply to residency applications starting January 2026. Accompanying family members of talent passport holders are exempt from some integration rules but should prepare for potential language assessments.

🇵🇹 Portugal

• Relationship must be recognized legally (marriage or registered; de facto partners eligible with cohabitation proof)
• General rule: Sponsor needs 2 years of legal residence before applying (exceptions: no wait for couples with minors/dependents, 15-month cohabitation history, highly qualified D3 visa holders, or Golden Visa/investors)
• Sponsor must show stable income (thresholds forthcoming via ordinance; previously ~€820/month) and adequate housing (owned/rented ≥1 year, safety-certified)
• Mandatory Portuguese language/civic integration training for all (waivable for CPLP citizens)
• Spouse receives permit allowing work
• Where to apply: https://imigrante.sef.pt/en/ (now via AIMA)
• Fees: €90–€120
• Processing Time: Consular: 30–90 days; AIMA decision: Up to 9 months (priority for qualified professionals/minors)

Recent Updates (2026): Lei 61/2025 (October 2025) tightened rules with a 2-year residency wait for most, stricter housing/financial proofs, and integration mandates. Proposals to delay reunification were canceled, preserving exceptions.

🇪🇸 Spain

• Typically allowed after one year of residency (no minimum for EU/EEA/Swiss family; 5 years for parents)
• Some exceptions apply for certain visa types
• Must show sufficient income (stricter for parents since November 2025) and housing
• Where to apply: Spanish consulates
• Fees: $140 (for US citizens, effective January 1, 2026)
• Processing Time: 2–6 months (decision within 2 months of submission)

Recent Updates (2026): Fee increase to $140 for US applicants; centralized digital platform for all residency procedures launched. Expanded flexibility for family of Spanish citizens/residents under new statute.

What About Unmarried Couples?

Some EU countries, including the Netherlands and Sweden, recognize de facto or long-term partnerships. However, requirements include:

• Proof of joint bank accounts or shared residence for 1+ years
• Legalized affidavit or proof of relationship history

This path is more complex, but possible with strong documentation.

Updates (2026): Netherlands—no major changes; salary thresholds rose for highly skilled sponsors. Sweden—digital applications for partners of Swedish citizens now processed in 90 days; overall migration tightened for low-skilled but partners unaffected.

Can Both Partners Work?

In most cases, yes. Spouses or partners accompanying the main visa holder can usually work legally once granted residence. This is especially true in:

• Germany (with Blue Card)
• France (accompanying family of talent passport holders)
• Portugal (under reunification permit)
• Spain (full work rights post-visa)

Documents Needed

• Valid passports
• Marriage or registered partnership certificates (apostilled & translated)
• Proof of accommodation in destination country (stricter in Portugal/Spain)
• Sponsor’s visa/residence permit
• Health insurance
• Income documentation (payslips, employment contract, or tax returns; financial transfers for parents in Spain)

Common Pitfalls

• Not having documents legalized (apostille + certified translation)
• Assuming you can convert a tourist visa in-country (most countries don’t allow this)
• Underestimating processing time or income requirements (e.g., Portugal's new 9-month AIMA wait)
• Overlooking integration mandates (language/civic in France/Portugal)

Real-World Example

Michael and Emma, a married couple from California, moved to Lisbon in 2025. Michael held a D7 visa, and Emma applied for family reunification under the new exceptions for cohabiting couples. Within three months (despite AIMA delays), she received her residence permit and started remote freelance work for US clients.

Conclusion

Moving to Europe as a couple is very feasible for US citizens—as long as you know which visa path to pursue and prepare your paperwork properly. Whether one of you has a job offer or passive income, most countries welcome family unity, though 2026 brings more emphasis on integration and digital processing.

At Jobbatical, we’ll help you find the right path, gather your documents, and ensure your move is seamless for both partners.

Disclaimer:

Immigration laws and policies change frequently and may vary by country or nationality. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we recommend doing your own due diligence or consulting official sources. You're also welcome to contact us directly for the latest guidance. Jobbatical is not responsible for decisions made based on the information provided.

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