---
title: "Kosovo Spouse of a resident 2026: savings €6,000+/yr needed"
url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kosovo/spouse-of-permanent-resident/
lang: en
updated: 2026-10-12
---

Kosovo · Spouse visas

# Kosovo Spouse of a resident

**Savings needed:** €6,000+ a year ≈ $6,700

Temporary residence for family reunification with a foreigner with permanent or temporary residence (Law on Foreigners Arts. 49-55)

Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/)

- **Savings needed:** €6,000+ a year ≈ $6,700 (Savings of at least EUR 6,000 a year (≈ $6,700) · Means of subsistence for family reunification with a foreigner who holds a Kosovo residence permit: the Ministry of Internal Affairs guidance says an annual financial turnover of EUR 6,000 must be shown. A fee of EUR 30 (≈ $34) · Fee for a temporary residence permit for family reunion.)
- **First stay:** 1 yr (Permit valid one year or until the sponsor's permit expires; an autonomous residence permit is possible after three continuous years.)
- **Who can apply:** Any passport (Open to foreigners generally; nationals who need a visa for entry apply through a Kosovo diplomatic or consular mission.)
- **Work:** Needs permit (Holders with family reunification with a permanent resident are exempt from a separate work permit.)
- **Family:** Family can join (Minor children can also apply.)

## Key facts

Spouse of a resident is a spouse visas route for Kosovo. Applicants need savings of €6,000+ a year ≈ $6,700. You can stay 1 yr, renewable. Local work: with a permit. Checked 2026-10-12 against the official source.

- **Money needed:** €6,000+ a year ≈ $6,700
- **Government fees:** €30 ≈ $34
- **First stay:** 1 yr

## Cost, time and long term

To apply: government fee €30 ≈ $34; savings to show €6,000+/yr ≈ $6,700. No lawyer or agent fee is included.

**Government fees: €30 ≈ $34**

- EUR 30 (≈ $34) Fee for a temporary residence permit for family reunion.

**Shown, not spent: €6,000+/yr ≈ $6,700**

- EUR 6,000 a year (≈ $6,700) Means of subsistence for family reunification with a foreigner who holds a Kosovo residence permit: the Ministry of Internal Affairs guidance says an annual financial turnover of EUR 6,000 (≈ $6,700) must be shown.

**Renewal: Renewable**

Valid one year or until the sponsor's permit expires.

[Official Gazette of the Republic of Kosovo No. 35/2013](https://gzk.rks-gov.net/ActDetail.aspx?ActID=8876&langid=2)

**Permanent residence: After 3 years of residence**

The Law on Foreigners (Art. 84(1), as amended in 2018) asks for 3 years of uninterrupted temporary residence, instead of 5, where the foreigner is married to a foreigner with permanent residence. The law does not name spouses of temporary residents in this exception; the Ministry of Internal Affairs page states the 3 years for family reunification by marriage or cohabitation in general. This is separate from the autonomous residence permit, which is a temporary permit open after 3 continuous years on a family reunification permit.

[Official Gazette of the Republic of Kosovo No. 6/2018](https://gzk.rks-gov.net/ActDetail.aspx?ActID=16333) [Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo](https://gzk.rks-gov.net/ActDocumentDetail.aspx?ActID=23314) [Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kosovo](https://mpb.rks-gov.net/f/46/Permanent-residence-permit)

## Why this route may not fit

Check this before you apply.

- Working needs a separate permit

### What you'll need

#### Who can apply

- Applicant is the spouse or partner, or a minor child, of a foreigner with permanent residence in Kosovo.
- The sponsor may also hold temporary residence; for a one-year quota work permit the sponsor needs at least two years of temporary residence.

#### What you must show

- Means of living of EUR 6,000 (≈ $6,700) a year are shown, by a bank statement, an employment contract or other proof.

#### Documents

- Marriage certificate, children's birth certificates, and copies of the sponsor's decision and residence permit.
- Proof of residence with enough space under minimum housing standards, shown by ownership or a notarised lease.
- Travel document valid at least three months beyond the requested residence period.
- Health insurance.
- Proof of no criminal conviction or investigation, issued by the authority of the country of citizenship or last residence and translated into an official language of Kosovo.

#### Steps

1. The Department decides within 30 days of receiving the application; a refusal can be appealed within eight days.

#### After you arrive

- The permit is valid one year or until the sponsor's permit expires.
- After three continuous years on a family reunification permit, a spouse, partner or adult child can get an autonomous residence permit.
- A foreigner married to a foreigner with permanent residence can apply for permanent residence after three years of uninterrupted temporary residence; the general rule is five years.

## What happens at day 183

How Kosovo decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.

- **Stay on this route:** **Up to 1 year at first, renewable**
- **Tax residence:** - **At least 183 days in any 12-month period** Physical presence in Kosovo for 183 days in any 12-month period makes a natural person resident.
- **Foreign-source income:** Residents of Kosovo are taxed on Kosovo-source and foreign-source income; annual taxable income up to EUR 3,000 (≈ $3,350) is taxed at 0%, EUR 3,000 (≈ $3,350) to 5,400 at 8% of the excess, and above that EUR 192 (≈ $210) plus 10%.

[All tax rules for Kosovo](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kosovo/tax/) Tax records checked 12 Oct 2026

## What you need to arrange

- **Health insurance** Health insurance
- **Accommodation** Proof of residence with enough space under minimum housing standards, shown by ownership or a notarised lease
- **Bank account / funds** Means of living of EUR 6,000 (≈ $6,700) a year are shown, by a bank statement, an employment contract or other proof
- **Certified translation** Proof of no criminal conviction or investigation, issued by the authority of the country of citizenship or last residence and translated into an official language of Kosovo
- **Police certificate and civil documents** Marriage certificate, children's birth certificates, and copies of the sponsor's decision and residence permit

Taken from this route's requirements above. The authority's own list is the one that counts.

**Full official text**

One-year residence for the spouse or partner and minor children of a foreigner with permanent residence, or with temporary residence under the conditions of Art. 49. (sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

#### What you must show and pay

- Savings of at least EUR 6,000 a year (≈ $6,700) · Means of subsistence for family reunification with a foreigner who holds a Kosovo residence permit: the Ministry of Internal Affairs guidance says an annual financial turnover of EUR 6,000 (≈ $6,700) must be shown. (source 5)
- A fee of EUR 30 (≈ $34) · Fee for a temporary residence permit for family reunion. (source 4)

#### Requirements

- Applicant is the spouse or partner, or a minor child, of a foreigner with permanent residence in Kosovo. (source 1)
- The sponsor may also hold temporary residence; for a one-year quota work permit the sponsor needs at least two years of temporary residence. (sources 1, 2)
- Means of living of EUR 6,000 (≈ $6,700) a year are shown, by a bank statement, an employment contract or other proof. (sources 5, 3)
- Marriage certificate, children's birth certificates, and copies of the sponsor's decision and residence permit. (source 3)
- Proof of residence with enough space under minimum housing standards, shown by ownership or a notarised lease. (source 3)
- Travel document valid at least three months beyond the requested residence period. (sources 1, 3)
- Health insurance. (source 3)
- Proof of no criminal conviction or investigation, issued by the authority of the country of citizenship or last residence and translated into an official language of Kosovo. (source 3)
- The Department decides within 30 days of receiving the application; a refusal can be appealed within eight days. (source 1)
- The permit is valid one year or until the sponsor's permit expires. (source 1)
- After three continuous years on a family reunification permit, a spouse, partner or adult child can get an autonomous residence permit. (source 3)
- A foreigner married to a foreigner with permanent residence can apply for permanent residence after three years of uninterrupted temporary residence; the general rule is five years. (sources 2, 6)

#### Stay

- Permit valid one year or until the sponsor's permit expires; an autonomous residence permit is possible after three continuous years.
- First stay: up to 12 months, decided case by case.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.

#### Nationality

Open to foreigners generally; nationals who need a visa for entry apply through a Kosovo diplomatic or consular mission.

#### Work

Holders with family reunification with a permanent resident are exempt from a separate work permit.

#### Family

Minor children can also apply.

#### Fine print

Law No. 08/L-262, published on 8 August 2024, amended the Law on Foreigners to bring its procedures in line with the Law on General Administrative Procedure. Its text could not be read on 12 October 2026, so the decision and appeal deadlines given here follow the law as amended in 2018.

Checked 2026-10-12

## Official sources

1. [Law No. 04/L-219 on Foreigners (Official Gazette 35/2013), amended by Law No. 06/L-036 (2018) and Law No. 08/L-262 (2024)](https://gzk.rks-gov.net/ActDetail.aspx?ActID=8876&langid=2) · Official Gazette of the Republic of Kosovo No. 35/2013 · checked 2026-10-12 · published 2013-09-05
2. [Law No. 06/L-036 amending and supplementing the Law on Foreigners (Official Gazette 6/2018)](https://gzk.rks-gov.net/ActDetail.aspx?ActID=16333) · Official Gazette of the Republic of Kosovo No. 6/2018 · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2018-05-03
3. [Administrative Instruction (MIA) No. 09/2019 on the procedure and criteria for issuing residence permits for foreigners](https://gzk.rks-gov.net/ActDocumentDetail.aspx?ActID=23314) · Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2019
4. [Temporary residence permit for foreigners: criteria, required documents and fees](https://mpb.rks-gov.net/f/45/Temporary-residence-permit-for-foreigners?culture=en-gb) · Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo · checked 2026-10-11
5. [Amount of sufficient means of subsistence for foreigners](https://mpb.rks-gov.net/Uploads/EditorFiles/FAQ/93/AMOUNT%20OF%20SUFFICIENT%20MEANS%20OF%20SUBSISTENCE%20FOR%20FOREIGNERS.pdf) · Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo · checked 2026-10-11
6. [Permanent residence permit for foreigners (criteria)](https://mpb.rks-gov.net/f/46/Permanent-residence-permit) · Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kosovo · checked 2026-10-11

## Spouse of a resident and its alternatives

| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Spouse of a resident | Needs savings of €6,000+ a year ≈ $6,700 | 1 yr, renewable | With a permit |
| [Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kosovo/spouse-of-citizen/) | – | 1 yr, renewable | Yes |
| [Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/spouse-of-citizen/) Portugal | – | – | – |
| [Spouse of a resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/family-reunification/) Spain | Needs income of €900+ a month ≈ $1,010 | – | Yes |
| [Spouse of a resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/georgia/spouse-of-permanent-resident/) Georgia | – | 1 yr, renewable | – |

## Questions people ask

### How much money do I need for the Spouse of a resident?

Savings of at least EUR 6,000 a year (≈ $6,700). Means of subsistence for family reunification with a foreigner who holds a Kosovo residence permit: the Ministry of Internal Affairs guidance says an annual financial turnover of EUR 6,000 (≈ $6,700) must be shown. A fee of EUR 30 (≈ $34). Fee for a temporary residence permit for family reunion.

### How long can I stay on the Spouse of a resident?

Permit valid one year or until the sponsor's permit expires; an autonomous residence permit is possible after three continuous years.

### Can I work on the Spouse of a resident?

With a permit. Holders with family reunification with a permanent resident are exempt from a separate work permit.

### Can I bring my family on the Spouse of a resident?

Minor children can also apply.

### Does the Spouse of a resident lead to permanent residence in Kosovo?

Time on the Spouse of a resident counts toward permanent residence in Kosovo, which the rules allow after 3 years of residence.

### How are Spouse of a resident holders taxed in Kosovo?

No special regime in our records is tied to the Spouse of a resident. The standard rules apply: Residents of Kosovo are taxed on Kosovo-source and foreign-source income; annual taxable income up to EUR 3,000 (≈ $3,350) is taxed at 0%, EUR 3,000 (≈ $3,350) to 5,400 at 8% of the excess, and above that EUR 192 (≈ $210) plus 10%.

## More in Kosovo

[Business owner permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kosovo/business-owner/) [Work permit · quota](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kosovo/employment/) [Intra-company transfer](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kosovo/intra-company/) [Posted worker permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kosovo/posted-worker/) [Researcher permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kosovo/researcher/) [Key personnel permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kosovo/key-personnel/) [Seasonal work permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kosovo/seasonal-work/) [Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kosovo/student/)

## Spouse and partner visas elsewhere

[🇮🇹 Spouse of a resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/spouse-of-permanent-resident/) [🇬🇷 Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/spouse-of-citizen/) [🇫🇷 Spouse of a resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/spouse-of-permanent-resident/) [🇬🇧 Fiancé visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/fiance-visa/) [🇳🇱 Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/netherlands/spouse-of-citizen/) [🇨🇾 Spouse of a resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cyprus/spouse-of-permanent-resident/)

≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.

## How this was checked

**Checked on 2026-10-12 against 6 official sources.** Status: verified against the official sources.

Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.

1. [Law No. 04/L-219 on Foreigners (Official Gazette 35/2013), amended by Law No. 06/L-036 (2018) and Law No. 08/L-262 (2024)](https://gzk.rks-gov.net/ActDetail.aspx?ActID=8876&langid=2) · Official Gazette of the Republic of Kosovo No. 35/2013 · checked 2026-10-12
2. [Law No. 06/L-036 amending and supplementing the Law on Foreigners (Official Gazette 6/2018)](https://gzk.rks-gov.net/ActDetail.aspx?ActID=16333) · Official Gazette of the Republic of Kosovo No. 6/2018 · checked 2026-10-11
3. [Administrative Instruction (MIA) No. 09/2019 on the procedure and criteria for issuing residence permits for foreigners](https://gzk.rks-gov.net/ActDocumentDetail.aspx?ActID=23314) · Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo · checked 2026-10-11
4. [Temporary residence permit for foreigners: criteria, required documents and fees](https://mpb.rks-gov.net/f/45/Temporary-residence-permit-for-foreigners?culture=en-gb) · Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo · checked 2026-10-11
5. [Amount of sufficient means of subsistence for foreigners](https://mpb.rks-gov.net/Uploads/EditorFiles/FAQ/93/AMOUNT%20OF%20SUFFICIENT%20MEANS%20OF%20SUBSISTENCE%20FOR%20FOREIGNERS.pdf) · Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo · checked 2026-10-11
6. [Permanent residence permit for foreigners (criteria)](https://mpb.rks-gov.net/f/46/Permanent-residence-permit) · Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kosovo · checked 2026-10-11

Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.