We coordinate sworn translations into Spanish (traducción jurada) by MAEC-appointed translators, for BLS Philippines, Gulf missions and Extranjería. Certificates usually take 24–48 hours, from €29. That is a starting price: you approve our written quotation before work starts. Upload scans for a fixed quote.
In this guide
- How does a Filipino family member join a relative in Spain?
- Which visa do Filipinos need for Spain?
- What documents do Filipinos need for a Spain visa?
- Do English PSA and NBI documents need translating?
- Can I apply from Dubai, Riyadh or Qatar?
- How long does it take, and when should I start?
- How much does a Spain visa cost from the Philippines?
- What happens after I arrive in Spain?
- Quick checklist
Bringing your family to Spain? We translate PSA, NBI and medical certificates with their DFA apostilles, in one delivery. See our family reunification sworn translation service.
Upload your family's PSA and NBI documents for a fixed quote We are not affiliated with the Embassy of Spain in Manila, BLS International, the DFA, PSA, NBI or any Spanish authority.
How does a Filipino family member join a relative living in Spain?
The relative in Spain applies first. A legal resident files form EX-02 for family reunification (reagrupación familiar) at Extranjería. Once it is granted, the family member has 2 months from notification to apply in person for the visa. BLS Philippines calls this visa "Petition by Filipino".
- In Spain. The resident files the EX-02 with proof of the family link, under Hoja informativa 8.
- Abroad. Within 2 months of notification, the family member applies for the visa in person.
| Family member | Condition |
|---|---|
| Spouse or partner | Aged 18 or over; only one |
| Children | Under 18, or adults with a disability who cannot support themselves |
| Parents | Dependent and over 65; under 65 only for humanitarian reasons |
Example: Maria, a carer in Madrid, files the EX-02 for her husband. Once it is granted, he books BLS Manila within 2 months.
Tip: married to a Spanish citizen? That route uses form EX-24 instead.
Which Spain visa fits a Filipino applicant?
Filipino passport holders need a visa for Spain. A Schengen short-stay visa covers visits of up to 90 days. A national (long-stay) visa covers family reunification, study, work, nursing jobs, digital nomads and non-lucrative residence. BLS Philippines handles both types for the Spanish Embassy in Manila.
| Visa | Who it suits | Translation page |
|---|---|---|
| Petition by Filipino (family reunification) | Spouse, child or parent of a resident | Family reunification |
| Family Members of Spanish Citizen | Spouse or relative of a Spaniard | Extranjería sworn translation |
| Student (SSU or SLU) | Courses and degrees in Spain | Spain student visa |
| Work visa | Job offer with an employer's authorisation | Spain work visa |
| Nurses (usually a work visa) | BSN holders homologating in Spain | Philippine nurse documents |
| Short stay (Schengen) | Visits up to 90 days | Check the BLS short-stay checklist |
For other national visas, see sworn translation for a Spain visa. For a work visa, the employer applies in Spain first; once notified, the worker has one month to apply.
What documents do Filipinos need for a Spanish long-stay visa?
Most BLS Philippines long-stay checklists ask for a PSA certificate, an NBI clearance and a medical certificate, with DFA apostilles and a Spanish translation. Applicants also give police certificates from every country they lived in during the last 5 years.
The BLS "Petition by Filipino" checklist lists these core items:
| Document | Rule on the checklist | Translation page |
|---|---|---|
| Visa form, photo, passport; copies of the relative's Spanish permit and card | Passport valid for at least one year | Not needed |
| PSA literal birth or marriage certificate | Official paper, authenticated by the DFA | PSA birth certificate · PSA marriage certificate |
| Medical certificate | DFA apostille; valid 3 months from issue | Medical certificate |
| NBI clearance (over 18) | DFA apostille; valid 6 months from issue | NBI clearance translation |
| Police certificates from other countries | Each country lived in during the last 5 years | Same page |
| Other parent's authorisation (minors) | Express authorisation | Quoted with the file |
Common mistake: ordering the NBI clearance first. Its 6-month validity can run out while the EX-02 is pending.
Students add an admission letter, proof of funds and health insurance. Nurses also need CHED CAV records; see our guide to working as a nurse in Spain.
Do English PSA and NBI documents need a Spanish translation?
Yes. Your documents are in English, but Spain works in Spanish. The BLS Philippines work visa checklist says: "All documents presented in English must be translated to Spanish by a recognized Spanish translator (traductor jurado)". The translation covers the document and its DFA apostille.
In Spain, when an office asks for an official or "certified" translation, it means a sworn translation by a MAEC-appointed translator. A certified translation made outside Spain, for example in Manila, is not a sworn translation.
PSA, NBI and DFA documents are issued in English, so they go through English to Spanish sworn translation. The order matters: document, then DFA apostille, then translation of both together. Our guide explains why the apostille comes before the sworn translation.
Example: Jun translated his NBI clearance before the apostille went on. The apostille page had no translation, so he paid twice.
NBI clearance already apostilled? A MAEC-appointed translator translates it with its DFA apostille, usually within 24–48 hours. See our Philippine documents sworn translation for Spain page.
Send your apostilled NBI clearance for a fast translation quote
Can Filipinos in the Middle East apply for a Spain visa there?
Usually, yes, if you live there legally. For Schengen visas, EU guidance says to apply where you are legally resident. Spanish missions in the Gulf also take long-stay files from residents. Expect to need police certificates from both the Gulf country and the Philippines.
Each Spanish mission sets its own checklist. The Embassy of Spain in Abu Dhabi is one example:
- UAE good conduct certificates must be legalised by the UAE Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Its residence visa sheet says: "All documents must be translated into Spanish by a sworn translator."
Your Philippine documents still follow the Philippine route. From abroad, request the NBI clearance with NBI Form No. 5: fingerprints taken locally, signed by a Philippine consul, sent to NBI Manila.
| You live in | Apply at | Police certificates usually needed |
|---|---|---|
| The Philippines | BLS Philippines (Manila or Cebu) | NBI clearance, plus other countries of the last 5 years |
| UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar or Kuwait | The Spanish mission covering that country | Local certificate plus NBI clearance; check the local legalisation or apostille route |
How long does a Spain visa take from the Philippines?
It depends on the visa. A Schengen short-stay visa is normally decided within 15 days, and up to 45 in some cases. Long-stay visas take longer. For family reunification, the EX-02 decision in Spain comes first. Then the family member has 2 months to apply.
Work back from the appointment date. A simple plan for a family reunification file:
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Before the EX-02 | Order PSA certificates; DFA apostille; sworn translation |
| EX-02 granted | The 2-month visa window starts |
| Weeks 1–2 of the window | NBI clearance and medical certificate, then the DFA apostille |
| Weeks 3–8 | Translate them; attend BLS with originals and copies |
Certificates usually take 24–48 hours to translate. Deadline close? Use our urgent sworn translation service. See also how long a sworn translation is valid in Spain.
How much does a Spain visa cost for Filipinos?
The Schengen short-stay visa fee is €90 for adults and €45 for children aged 6 to 12. BLS charges its own service fee. National visa fees are set separately; check the BLS Philippines site. Translations and DFA apostilles are separate costs that you pay to each provider.
As an indicative market range, sworn translations in Spain cost about €30–120 a page. That is roughly €30–80 for the first page and €15–40 for later pages (Cronoshare, January 2026). This is a market range, not our price. Our own prices start from €29 per certificate; see the sworn translation prices page. These are starting prices. For your final price, send your details through the quote form. We email you a written quotation, and work starts only after you approve it.
Common mistake: paying an "agent" for a BLS slot. BLS says to book only on its website.
What do Filipinos need after arriving in Spain?
After arrival, the family member applies for a TIE (residence card) at the police. Later procedures often need fresh documents. Filipinos can apply for Spanish nationality after two years of legal residence. That file needs a PSA birth certificate and an NBI clearance, apostilled and translated.
- Residence renewals and other Extranjería files: Extranjería sworn translation.
- Nationality after two years (Código Civil article 22.1): see Spanish nationality sworn translation and our guide to Spanish citizenship requirements.
- Nurses homologating a BSN degree: Philippine nurse documents sworn translation for Spain.
- Correction notices from Extranjería give 10 working days (días hábiles) to reply, under Ley 39/2015, art. 68.
Mixed-nationality family? We also translate UK documents for Spain and US documents for Spain.
What should a Filipino applicant tick off before the BLS appointment?
Check that every document is apostilled, translated and still valid on your appointment date. Then check names: a Filipino middle name is the mother's maiden surname, and every name must match the passport. Finally, confirm your visa type and mission.
- I know my visa type and the mission for the country where I legally live.
- My relative's EX-02 is granted, and I know the 2-month deadline.
- My NBI clearance is under 6 months old on the appointment date.
- My medical certificate is under 3 months old, with the DFA apostille.
- Every document and apostille has a sworn Spanish translation.
- Names, middle names and dates match my passport.
Can I trust an online sworn translation for my Philippine visa file?
Yes, and you can check it yourself. Every translator we work with is a Traductor-Intérprete Jurado appointed by Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Each is listed on the official MAEC register and works with their own official seal. Each page carries that seal and signature.
- Is the translator real? Each holds every authorisation Spain requires. Check the seal on the official MAEC list: how to verify a Spanish sworn translator.
- What if BLS Manila or Extranjería rejects it? Free, prioritised re-issue if rejected on formal grounds, such as a middle name in the wrong order. See our re-issue policy.
- Is my family's data safe? Your files are deleted within 7 days of delivery, as our privacy policy explains.
- Visa window closing? See apostille and sworn translation for the order of steps.
What clients say
4.9/5.0 from 18,000+ reviews
“Muy buen servicio. I needed an English-to-Spanish sworn translation for official paperwork and had a few doubts before ordering. They answered my questions clearly, and the whole process was easier than I expected.”
“I needed my birth certificate translated for my Spanish nationality paperwork and wasn't really sure where to start. I sent an enquiry first, and the team explained the process without making it complicated. The communication was good, and I felt more confident about getting the documents ready.”
“Good service and clear communication. I needed my police clearance certificate translated for a residence application. They explained what they needed from me and answered my questions promptly.”
“We had to translate our marriage certificate for a family reunification procedure. I was worried about getting the paperwork wrong, so I had quite a few questions. The team was patient and explained the translation process clearly. That was genuinely helpful during an already stressful time.”
“I contacted them for documents needed for my long-term residence application. There were several things to organise, and I didn't want to leave the translation until the last minute. The replies were clear, and I appreciated knowing the process before confirming the order.”
“My nationality application involved documents from my home country, and I wasn't sure how to arrange the translations. I reached out with my questions and received a clear explanation of the process. It saved me from spending more time guessing what to do next.”
“We needed corporate documents translated into Spanish for a business procedure. The terminology and consistency mattered to us, so we wanted a service that understood the formal nature of the documents. Communication was professional, and the process was well organised.”
“Muchas gracias por la ayuda 😊 I needed my marriage certificate translated for a family application here in Spain. Communication was good and the steps were easy to understand.”
Frequently asked questions
Can my wife in Manila join me in Spain?
Yes, if your residence permit allows family reunification. You file the EX-02 first; once granted, she has 2 months to apply through BLS Philippines.
Do I need an NBI clearance if I have lived in Dubai for years?
Yes, usually both. Checklists ask for police certificates from your country of origin or each country you lived in during the last 5 years.
How long is an NBI clearance valid for a Spain visa?
Six months from issue, according to BLS Philippines checklists. Other Spanish offices set their own validity, commonly 3 to 6 months.
Does my PSA birth certificate expire for a Spain visa?
It depends on the office. Some ask for civil documents issued within the last 3 to 6 months, so check your checklist first.
Can I get the translation done in the Philippines?
You can order it online from there. A local certified translation is not a sworn translation, and most Spanish offices won't accept it.
Sources: BLS Philippines Petition by Filipino checklist · BLS Philippines work visa checklist · Hoja informativa 8, family reunification · EU Home Affairs, applying for a Schengen visa · Embassy of Spain in Abu Dhabi, residence visa sheet · BLS UAE family reunification checklist · DFA apostille requirements · Código Civil, article 22. Last checked: 12 October 2026.
Ready to translate your family's Philippine documents for Spain?
Upload scans of every page, apostilles included, with your visa type and deadline. Then get a fixed quote for your PSA and NBI translations before you pay. More guides are on the sworn translation blog, including Spain family reunification visa requirements.
What happens next
- 1We count the pages, check each DFA apostille and send one fixed total with a delivery date.
- 2You check a draft of every name, middle name and date against your passport.
- 3The signed PDF arrives by email for BLS or your Gulf mission; paper by courier only if required.
We coordinate translations by MAEC-appointed sworn translators and are not affiliated with any authority. We only translate. We never sell appointments. See our editorial policy.