Immigration Law · European Union
Live With Your Partner in Europe With the Right Spouse Visa Lawyer
A spouse visa lets you join your married or registered partner in Europe, but proving the relationship is genuine and meeting the income and housing conditions are where most applications stall. We match you, free of charge, with an immigration lawyer who handles spouse and partner visa cases in your target country every day.
- 155+ legal services, 14 practice areas
- Lawyers across the EU & EEA
- No fee to get matched
No commitment. No hidden fees.
Get matched with a lawyer
Tell us about your situation and receive a free, confidential case review.
Who this is for
For married couples and registered partners who want to build a life in the same European country
A spouse visa allows the married or registered partner of a person living in Europe to join them and take up residence in the same country. It sits at the heart of family-based immigration, but it is never as simple as showing a marriage certificate. You typically need to prove that the relationship is genuine and subsisting, that the resident partner has stable and sufficient income, and that there is adequate accommodation for you both — and in many cases you must show you can meet language or integration conditions as well. Authorities scrutinise recent marriages and long-distance relationships particularly closely, and every country applies its own thresholds and document formats. A well-prepared spouse visa file turns what is often an anxious, months-long wait into a structured application with a clear route forward.
Why couples get stuck
Spouse visa refusals are rarely about the marriage.
They are about the evidence of it.
Authorities look for a genuine, ongoing relationship and a sponsor who can genuinely support you both — and both have to be documented.
Relationship proof that looks thin
A marriage certificate alone is rarely enough. Authorities want evidence the relationship is real and continuing — shared correspondence, travel history, cohabitation and financial ties — and gaps in that history invite delay.
Income and housing that fall short
The resident partner usually must prove a stable income sufficient for two people and accommodation big enough for the household. Freelance income or informal housing arrangements are common stumbling blocks.
Language and integration hurdles
Some countries require the joining partner to meet a language or civic integration condition, often before arrival. Missing or underestimating this requirement can block an application outright.
What you get
A spouse visa lawyer who builds a convincing file
We only match you with immigration lawyers who regularly handle marriage and partner-based residence applications in your target country.
Relationship file strengthened
Your lawyer helps you assemble the right evidence — correspondence, shared history and financial ties — so the relationship is documented the way authorities expect.
Income and housing verified
The sponsor’s income and your accommodation are measured against the local threshold and document format before you file, so neither of the two most common refusal grounds catches you by surprise.
Conditions mapped in advance
Language, civic integration and registration requirements are identified up front and built into your timeline, so nothing surfaces as an unexpected hurdle halfway through an application that was already submitted.
Refusals and appeals handled
Already been refused? Your lawyer reads the decision letter, identifies the exact grounds, fixes the underlying problem in your relationship or financial evidence and represents you through the appeal or a stronger fresh application.
Coverage
Spouse visa lawyers across Europe
Spouse and partner visa rules are set nationally, and the evidence authorities expect differs from one country to the next. We match cases across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
Spouse visas — common questions
What is the difference between a spouse visa and family reunification?
A spouse visa is the specific route for joining a married or registered partner, while family reunification is the broader process that also covers children and, in some cases, other relatives. A spouse visa is usually one form of family reunification.
Do we need to be married to apply?
In most countries, a legally recognised marriage or registered partnership is required for a spouse visa, though some countries also recognise unmarried partners in certain circumstances. A lawyer can confirm what your target country accepts.
How do we prove our relationship is genuine?
You are typically asked for evidence that the relationship is real and ongoing, such as a marriage certificate, shared correspondence, travel and cohabitation history, and joint financial commitments. Recent marriages and long-distance couples should expect closer scrutiny.
What income does my partner need to sponsor me?
The resident partner usually must demonstrate a stable, sufficient income to support the household, with the exact amount and accepted forms of proof varying by country. Freelance or variable income often requires additional documentation.
Do I need to speak the local language?
In several countries, the joining partner must meet a basic language or civic integration requirement, sometimes before arrival. The requirement and level vary by country, so it is worth confirming early in your planning.
Can I work once I have a spouse visa?
In most European countries, a spouse or partner who joins through family reunification is allowed to work, often without a separate work permit. The exact rights and any conditions vary by country, so your lawyer can confirm what applies to you.
Free case review
Get your relationship documented the way authorities expect
Tell us about your situation and we’ll connect you with an immigration lawyer who handles spouse visa cases in your target country — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.