diff --git a/python/core/qgsauxiliarystorage.sip b/python/core/qgsauxiliarystorage.sip
index f93c9caec34..d1ae76183b1 100644
--- a/python/core/qgsauxiliarystorage.sip
+++ b/python/core/qgsauxiliarystorage.sip
@@ -12,6 +12,55 @@
 
 
 
+class QgsAuxiliaryLayer : QgsVectorLayer
+{
+%Docstring
+
+
+ Class allowing to manage the auxiliary storage for a vector layer
+
+.. versionadded:: 3.0
+%End
+
+%TypeHeaderCode
+#include "qgsauxiliarystorage.h"
+%End
+  public:
+
+    QgsAuxiliaryLayer( const QString &pkField, const QString &filename, const QString &table, const QgsVectorLayer *vlayer );
+%Docstring
+ Constructor
+
+ \param pkField The primary key to use for joining
+ \param filename The database path
+ \param table The table name
+ \param vlayer The target vector layer in join definition
+%End
+
+    virtual ~QgsAuxiliaryLayer();
+%Docstring
+ Destructor
+%End
+
+
+
+    QgsVectorLayerJoinInfo joinInfo() const;
+%Docstring
+ Returns information to use for joining with primary key and so on.
+ :rtype: QgsVectorLayerJoinInfo
+%End
+
+    bool save();
+%Docstring
+ Commit changes and starts editing then.
+
+ :return: true if commit step passed, false otherwise
+ :rtype: bool
+%End
+
+};
+
+
 class QgsAuxiliaryStorage
 {
 %Docstring
@@ -95,6 +144,19 @@ class QgsAuxiliaryStorage
  :rtype: bool
 %End
 
+    QgsAuxiliaryLayer *createAuxiliaryLayer( const QgsField &field, const QgsVectorLayer *layer ) const;
+%Docstring
+ Creates an auxiliary layer for a vector layer. A new table is created if
+ necessary. The primary key to use to construct the auxiliary layer is
+ given in parameter.
+
+ \param field The primary key to join
+ \param layer The vector layer for which the auxiliary layer has to be created
+
+ :return: A new auxiliary layer or a None if an error happened.
+ :rtype: QgsAuxiliaryLayer
+%End
+
     static QString extension();
 %Docstring
  Returns the extension used for auxiliary databases.
diff --git a/python/core/qgsproject.sip b/python/core/qgsproject.sip
index d9b03e6db1e..06e6b796e7a 100644
--- a/python/core/qgsproject.sip
+++ b/python/core/qgsproject.sip
@@ -811,6 +811,14 @@ Returns the number of registered layers.
  :rtype: bool
 %End
 
+    QgsAuxiliaryStorage *auxiliaryStorage();
+%Docstring
+ Returns the current auxiliary storage.
+
+.. versionadded:: 3.0
+ :rtype: QgsAuxiliaryStorage
+%End
+
   signals:
     void readProject( const QDomDocument & );
 %Docstring
diff --git a/python/core/qgsvectorlayer.sip b/python/core/qgsvectorlayer.sip
index a1827cd1d29..07e7a9dee2c 100644
--- a/python/core/qgsvectorlayer.sip
+++ b/python/core/qgsvectorlayer.sip
@@ -774,6 +774,39 @@ Return the provider type for this layer
  :rtype: str
 %End
 
+    bool loadAuxiliaryLayer( const QgsAuxiliaryStorage &storage );
+%Docstring
+ Loads the auxiliary layer for this vector layer. If there's no
+ corresponding table in the database, then nothing happens and false is
+ returned.
+
+ \param storage The auxiliary storage where to look for the table
+
+ :return: true if the auxiliary layer is well loaded, false otherwise
+
+.. versionadded:: 3.0
+ :rtype: bool
+%End
+
+    void setAuxiliaryLayer( QgsAuxiliaryLayer *layer = 0 );
+%Docstring
+ Sets the current auxiliary layer. The auxiliary layer is automatically
+ put in editable mode and fields are updated. Moreover, a join is created
+ between the current layer and the auxiliary layer. Ownership is
+ transferred.
+
+.. versionadded:: 3.0
+%End
+
+    QgsAuxiliaryLayer *auxiliaryLayer();
+%Docstring
+ Returns the current auxiliary layer.
+
+.. versionadded:: 3.0
+ :rtype: QgsAuxiliaryLayer
+%End
+
+
     virtual bool readSymbology( const QDomNode &layerNode, QString &errorMessage, const QgsReadWriteContext &context );
 
 %Docstring
diff --git a/src/core/CMakeLists.txt b/src/core/CMakeLists.txt
index 692222ff398..a52111947fd 100644
--- a/src/core/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/src/core/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -573,6 +573,7 @@ SET(QGIS_CORE_MOC_HDRS
   qgsactionmanager.h
   qgsactionscoperegistry.h
   qgsanimatedicon.h
+  qgsauxiliarystorage.h
   qgsbrowsermodel.h
   qgscoordinatereferencesystem.h
   qgscredentials.h
diff --git a/src/core/qgsauxiliarystorage.cpp b/src/core/qgsauxiliarystorage.cpp
index 3926c0738f4..63457fded38 100644
--- a/src/core/qgsauxiliarystorage.cpp
+++ b/src/core/qgsauxiliarystorage.cpp
@@ -24,6 +24,44 @@
 
 const QString AS_JOINFIELD = "ASPK";
 const QString AS_EXTENSION = "qgd";
+const QString AS_JOINPREFIX = "auxiliary_storage_";
+
+QgsAuxiliaryLayer::QgsAuxiliaryLayer( const QString &pkField, const QString &filename, const QString &table, const QgsVectorLayer *vlayer )
+  : QgsVectorLayer( QString( "%1|layername=%2" ).arg( filename, table ), QString( "%1_auxiliarystorage" ).arg( table ), "ogr" )
+  , mLayer( vlayer )
+{
+  // init join info
+  mJoinInfo.setPrefix( AS_JOINPREFIX );
+  mJoinInfo.setJoinLayer( this );
+  mJoinInfo.setJoinFieldName( AS_JOINFIELD );
+  mJoinInfo.setTargetFieldName( pkField );
+  mJoinInfo.setEditable( true );
+  mJoinInfo.setUpsertOnEdit( true );
+  mJoinInfo.setCascadedDelete( true );
+}
+
+QgsVectorLayerJoinInfo QgsAuxiliaryLayer::joinInfo() const
+{
+  return mJoinInfo;
+}
+
+bool QgsAuxiliaryLayer::save()
+{
+  bool rc = false;
+
+  if ( isEditable() )
+  {
+    rc = commitChanges();
+  }
+
+  startEditing();
+
+  return rc;
+}
+
+//
+// QgsAuxiliaryStorage
+//
 
 QgsAuxiliaryStorage::QgsAuxiliaryStorage( const QgsProject &project, bool copy )
   : mValid( false )
@@ -92,6 +130,31 @@ bool QgsAuxiliaryStorage::save() const
   }
 }
 
+QgsAuxiliaryLayer *QgsAuxiliaryStorage::createAuxiliaryLayer( const QgsField &field, const QgsVectorLayer *layer ) const
+{
+  QgsAuxiliaryLayer *alayer = nullptr;
+
+  if ( mValid && layer && layer->isSpatial() )
+  {
+    const QString table( layer->id() );
+    sqlite3 *handler = openDB( currentFileName() );
+
+    if ( !tableExists( table, handler ) )
+    {
+      if ( !createTable( field.typeName(), table, handler ) )
+      {
+        close( handler );
+        return alayer;
+      }
+    }
+
+    alayer = new QgsAuxiliaryLayer( field.name(), currentFileName(), table, layer );
+    close( handler );
+  }
+
+  return alayer;
+}
+
 bool QgsAuxiliaryStorage::saveAs( const QString &filename ) const
 {
   if ( QFile::exists( filename ) )
@@ -149,6 +212,16 @@ sqlite3 *QgsAuxiliaryStorage::openDB( const QString &filename )
   return handler;
 }
 
+bool QgsAuxiliaryStorage::createTable( const QString &type, const QString &table, sqlite3 *handler )
+{
+  const QString sql = QString( "CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS '%1' ( '%2' %3  )" ).arg( table ).arg( AS_JOINFIELD ).arg( type );
+
+  if ( !exec( sql, handler ) )
+    return false;
+
+  return true;
+}
+
 sqlite3 *QgsAuxiliaryStorage::createDB( const QString &filename )
 {
   sqlite3 *handler = nullptr;
@@ -169,6 +242,26 @@ sqlite3 *QgsAuxiliaryStorage::createDB( const QString &filename )
   return handler;
 }
 
+bool QgsAuxiliaryStorage::tableExists( const QString &table, sqlite3 *handler )
+{
+  const QString sql = QString( "SELECT 1 FROM sqlite_master WHERE type='table' AND name='%1'" ).arg( table );
+  int rows = 0;
+  int columns = 0;
+  char **results = nullptr;
+  const int rc = sqlite3_get_table( handler, sql.toStdString().c_str(), &results, &rows, &columns, nullptr );
+  if ( rc != SQLITE_OK )
+  {
+    debugMsg( sql, handler );
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  sqlite3_free_table( results );
+  if ( rows >= 1 )
+    return true;
+
+  return false;
+}
+
 sqlite3 *QgsAuxiliaryStorage::open( const QString &filename )
 {
   sqlite3 *handler = nullptr;
diff --git a/src/core/qgsauxiliarystorage.h b/src/core/qgsauxiliarystorage.h
index be5238d5e4f..6ce535459cf 100644
--- a/src/core/qgsauxiliarystorage.h
+++ b/src/core/qgsauxiliarystorage.h
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 
 #include "qgis_core.h"
 #include "qgsdatasourceuri.h"
+#include "qgsvectorlayerjoininfo.h"
 
 #include <sqlite3.h>
 
@@ -27,6 +28,61 @@
 
 class QgsProject;
 
+/**
+ * \class QgsAuxiliaryLayer
+ *
+ * \ingroup core
+ *
+ * \brief Class allowing to manage the auxiliary storage for a vector layer
+ *
+ * \since QGIS 3.0
+ */
+class CORE_EXPORT QgsAuxiliaryLayer : public QgsVectorLayer
+{
+    Q_OBJECT
+
+  public:
+
+    /**
+     * Constructor
+     *
+     * \param pkField The primary key to use for joining
+     * \param filename The database path
+     * \param table The table name
+     * \param vlayer The target vector layer in join definition
+     */
+    QgsAuxiliaryLayer( const QString &pkField, const QString &filename, const QString &table, const QgsVectorLayer *vlayer );
+
+    /**
+     * Destructor
+     */
+    virtual ~QgsAuxiliaryLayer() = default;
+
+    /**
+     * Copy constructor deactivated
+     */
+    QgsAuxiliaryLayer( const QgsAuxiliaryLayer &rhs ) = delete;
+
+    QgsAuxiliaryLayer &operator=( QgsAuxiliaryLayer const &rhs ) = delete;
+
+    /**
+     * Returns information to use for joining with primary key and so on.
+     */
+    QgsVectorLayerJoinInfo joinInfo() const;
+
+    /**
+     * Commit changes and starts editing then.
+     *
+     * \returns true if commit step passed, false otherwise
+     */
+    bool save();
+
+  private:
+    QgsVectorLayerJoinInfo mJoinInfo;
+    const QgsVectorLayer *mLayer;
+};
+
+
 /**
  * \class QgsAuxiliaryStorage
  *
@@ -102,6 +158,18 @@ class CORE_EXPORT QgsAuxiliaryStorage
      */
     bool save() const;
 
+    /**
+     * Creates an auxiliary layer for a vector layer. A new table is created if
+     * necessary. The primary key to use to construct the auxiliary layer is
+     * given in parameter.
+     *
+     * \param field The primary key to join
+     * \param layer The vector layer for which the auxiliary layer has to be created
+     *
+     * \returns A new auxiliary layer or a nullptr if an error happened.
+     */
+    QgsAuxiliaryLayer *createAuxiliaryLayer( const QgsField &field, const QgsVectorLayer *layer ) const;
+
     /**
      * Returns the extension used for auxiliary databases.
      */
@@ -117,6 +185,8 @@ class CORE_EXPORT QgsAuxiliaryStorage
     static sqlite3 *createDB( const QString &filename );
     static sqlite3 *openDB( const QString &filename );
     static void close( sqlite3 *handler );
+    static bool tableExists( const QString &table, sqlite3 *handler );
+    static bool createTable( const QString &type, const QString &table, sqlite3 *handler );
 
     static bool exec( const QString &sql, sqlite3 *handler );
     static void debugMsg( const QString &sql, sqlite3 *handler );
diff --git a/src/core/qgsproject.cpp b/src/core/qgsproject.cpp
index 553e2adcba6..c1f7836d8c5 100644
--- a/src/core/qgsproject.cpp
+++ b/src/core/qgsproject.cpp
@@ -2246,6 +2246,22 @@ QList<QgsMapLayer *> QgsProject::addMapLayers(
     if ( addToLegend )
       emit legendLayersAdded( myResultList );
   }
+
+  if ( mAuxiliaryStorage )
+  {
+    Q_FOREACH ( QgsMapLayer *mlayer, myResultList )
+    {
+      if ( mlayer->type() != QgsMapLayer::VectorLayer )
+        continue;
+
+      QgsVectorLayer *vl = qobject_cast<QgsVectorLayer *>( mlayer );
+      if ( vl && vl->isSpatial() )
+      {
+        vl->loadAuxiliaryLayer( *mAuxiliaryStorage.get() );
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
   return myResultList;
 }
 
@@ -2343,6 +2359,18 @@ void QgsProject::setTrustLayerMetadata( bool trust )
 
 bool QgsProject::saveAuxiliaryStorage( const QString &filename )
 {
+  Q_FOREACH ( QgsMapLayer *l, mapLayers().values() )
+  {
+    if ( l->type() != QgsMapLayer::VectorLayer )
+      continue;
+
+    QgsVectorLayer *vl = qobject_cast<QgsVectorLayer *>( l );
+    if ( vl && vl->auxiliaryLayer() )
+    {
+      vl->auxiliaryLayer()->save();
+    }
+  }
+
   if ( !filename.isEmpty() )
   {
     return mAuxiliaryStorage->saveAs( filename );
@@ -2352,3 +2380,13 @@ bool QgsProject::saveAuxiliaryStorage( const QString &filename )
     return mAuxiliaryStorage->saveAs( *this );
   }
 }
+
+const QgsAuxiliaryStorage *QgsProject::auxiliaryStorage() const
+{
+  return mAuxiliaryStorage.get();
+}
+
+QgsAuxiliaryStorage *QgsProject::auxiliaryStorage()
+{
+  return mAuxiliaryStorage.get();
+}
diff --git a/src/core/qgsproject.h b/src/core/qgsproject.h
index 7564fe2c118..1f1a732ecf6 100644
--- a/src/core/qgsproject.h
+++ b/src/core/qgsproject.h
@@ -810,6 +810,20 @@ class CORE_EXPORT QgsProject : public QObject, public QgsExpressionContextGenera
      */
     bool trustLayerMetadata() const { return mTrustLayerMetadata; }
 
+    /**
+     * Returns the current const auxiliary storage.
+     *
+     * \since QGIS 3.0
+     */
+    const QgsAuxiliaryStorage *auxiliaryStorage() const SIP_SKIP;
+
+    /**
+     * Returns the current auxiliary storage.
+     *
+     * \since QGIS 3.0
+     */
+    QgsAuxiliaryStorage *auxiliaryStorage();
+
   signals:
     //! emitted when project is being read
     void readProject( const QDomDocument & );
diff --git a/src/core/qgsvectorlayer.cpp b/src/core/qgsvectorlayer.cpp
index efce0ca51e7..3726e267820 100644
--- a/src/core/qgsvectorlayer.cpp
+++ b/src/core/qgsvectorlayer.cpp
@@ -88,6 +88,7 @@
 #include "qgsunittypes.h"
 #include "qgstaskmanager.h"
 #include "qgstransaction.h"
+#include "qgsauxiliarystorage.h"
 
 #include "diagram/qgsdiagram.h"
 
@@ -139,6 +140,8 @@ QgsVectorLayer::QgsVectorLayer( const QString &vectorLayerPath,
                                 bool readExtentFromXml )
   : QgsMapLayer( VectorLayer, baseName, vectorLayerPath )
   , mProviderKey( providerKey )
+  , mAuxiliaryLayer( nullptr )
+  , mAuxiliaryLayerKey( QString() )
   , mReadExtentFromXml( readExtentFromXml )
 {
   mActions = new QgsActionManager( this );
@@ -1447,6 +1450,14 @@ bool QgsVectorLayer::readXml( const QDomNode &layer_node, const QgsReadWriteCont
     }
   }
 
+  // auxiliary layer
+  const QDomNode asNode = layer_node.namedItem( QStringLiteral( "auxiliaryLayer" ) );
+  const QDomElement asElem = asNode.toElement();
+  if ( !asElem.isNull() )
+  {
+    mAuxiliaryLayerKey = asElem.attribute( QStringLiteral( "key" ) );
+  }
+
   return mValid;               // should be true if read successfully
 
 } // void QgsVectorLayer::readXml
@@ -1667,6 +1678,15 @@ bool QgsVectorLayer::writeXml( QDomNode &layer_node,
 
   writeStyleManager( layer_node, document );
 
+  // auxiliary layer
+  QDomElement asElem = document.createElement( QStringLiteral( "auxiliaryLayer" ) );
+  if ( mAuxiliaryLayer )
+  {
+    const QString pkField = mAuxiliaryLayer->joinInfo().targetFieldName();
+    asElem.setAttribute( QStringLiteral( "key" ), pkField );
+  }
+  layer_node.appendChild( asElem );
+
   // renderer specific settings
   QString errorMsg;
   return writeSymbology( layer_node, document, errorMsg, context );
@@ -4223,6 +4243,58 @@ QString QgsVectorLayer::loadNamedStyle( const QString &theURI, bool &resultFlag
   return loadNamedStyle( theURI, resultFlag, false );
 }
 
+bool QgsVectorLayer::loadAuxiliaryLayer( const QgsAuxiliaryStorage &storage )
+{
+  bool rc = false;
+
+  if ( isSpatial() && storage.isValid() && !mAuxiliaryLayerKey.isEmpty() )
+  {
+    QgsAuxiliaryLayer *alayer = nullptr;
+
+    int idx = fields().lookupField( mAuxiliaryLayerKey );
+
+    if ( idx >= 0 )
+    {
+      alayer = storage.createAuxiliaryLayer( fields().field( idx ), this );
+
+      if ( alayer )
+      {
+        setAuxiliaryLayer( alayer );
+        rc = true;
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  return rc;
+}
+
+void QgsVectorLayer::setAuxiliaryLayer( QgsAuxiliaryLayer *alayer )
+{
+  if ( alayer )
+  {
+    if ( mAuxiliaryLayer )
+      removeJoin( mAuxiliaryLayer->id() );
+
+    addJoin( alayer->joinInfo() );
+
+    if ( !alayer->isEditable() )
+      alayer->startEditing();
+  }
+
+  mAuxiliaryLayer.reset( alayer );
+  updateFields();
+}
+
+const QgsAuxiliaryLayer *QgsVectorLayer::auxiliaryLayer() const
+{
+  return mAuxiliaryLayer.get();
+}
+
+QgsAuxiliaryLayer *QgsVectorLayer::auxiliaryLayer()
+{
+  return mAuxiliaryLayer.get();
+}
+
 QString QgsVectorLayer::loadNamedStyle( const QString &theURI, bool &resultFlag, bool loadFromLocalDB )
 {
   QgsDataSourceUri dsUri( theURI );
diff --git a/src/core/qgsvectorlayer.h b/src/core/qgsvectorlayer.h
index ea1676f6508..6c7bb45c7d4 100644
--- a/src/core/qgsvectorlayer.h
+++ b/src/core/qgsvectorlayer.h
@@ -70,6 +70,8 @@ class QgsVectorLayerFeatureCounter;
 class QgsAbstractVectorLayerLabeling;
 class QgsPoint;
 class QgsFeedback;
+class QgsAuxiliaryStorage;
+class QgsAuxiliaryLayer;
 
 typedef QList<int> QgsAttributeList;
 typedef QSet<int> QgsAttributeIds;
@@ -784,6 +786,44 @@ class CORE_EXPORT QgsVectorLayer : public QgsMapLayer, public QgsExpressionConte
     virtual QString loadNamedStyle( const QString &theURI, bool &resultFlag SIP_OUT ) override;
 
     /**
+     * Loads the auxiliary layer for this vector layer. If there's no
+     * corresponding table in the database, then nothing happens and false is
+     * returned.
+     *
+     * \param storage The auxiliary storage where to look for the table
+     *
+     * \returns true if the auxiliary layer is well loaded, false otherwise
+     *
+     * \since QGIS 3.0
+     */
+    bool loadAuxiliaryLayer( const QgsAuxiliaryStorage &storage );
+
+    /**
+     * Sets the current auxiliary layer. The auxiliary layer is automatically
+     * put in editable mode and fields are updated. Moreover, a join is created
+     * between the current layer and the auxiliary layer. Ownership is
+     * transferred.
+     *
+     * \since QGIS 3.0
+     *
+     */
+    void setAuxiliaryLayer( QgsAuxiliaryLayer *layer = nullptr );
+
+    /**
+     * Returns the current auxiliary layer.
+     *
+     * \since QGIS 3.0
+     */
+    QgsAuxiliaryLayer *auxiliaryLayer();
+
+    /**
+     * Returns the current const auxiliary layer.
+     *
+     * \since QGIS 3.0
+     */
+    const QgsAuxiliaryLayer *auxiliaryLayer() const SIP_SKIP;
+
+    /** 
      * Read the symbology for the current layer from the Dom node supplied.
      * \param layerNode node that will contain the symbology definition for this layer.
      * \param errorMessage reference to string that will be updated with any error messages
@@ -2145,6 +2185,12 @@ class CORE_EXPORT QgsVectorLayer : public QgsMapLayer, public QgsExpressionConte
     mutable bool mValidExtent = false;
     mutable bool mLazyExtent = true;
 
+    //! Auxiliary layer
+    std::unique_ptr<QgsAuxiliaryLayer> mAuxiliaryLayer;
+
+    //! Key to use to join auxiliary layer
+    QString mAuxiliaryLayerKey;
+
     // Features in renderer classes counted
     bool mSymbolFeatureCounted = false;