Spain Residence Permit for Family Members of EU Citizens

The Spain Residence Permit for Family Members of EU Citizens, officially known as the Tarjeta de Residencia de Familiar de Ciudadano de la Unión, is an identification card issued to non-EU relatives of Spanish or other EU citizens, including spouses, children, dependents, and long-term partners. It allows them to live and work in Spain under similar conditions to EU citizens and is granted with an initial validity of five years.

This permit provides a simpler and faster path to legal residence compared to standard immigration routes, with fewer requirements and stronger rights. After five years of continuous legal residence in Spain, holders can apply for permanent residency.

To apply for the EU Family Member Residence Permit Card in Spain, applicants must meet the following relationship and dependency criteria.

It is important to note that family members are considered “dependent” if the EU citizen provides their financial support and they require material assistance to cover basic needs. This dependency must exist in the country of origin.

1. Spouse of an EU or EEA citizen, provided the marriage has not ended in divorce or annulment.
2. Registered partner in an official EU or EEA civil partnership, as long as the registration is still valid. You cannot be both a spouse and a registered partner.
3. Child of the EU or EEA citizen, or their spouse or partner, under 21 years old. Children over 21 may qualify if financially dependent or disabled.
4. Parent or grandparent of the EU or EEA citizen, or their spouse or partner, if financially dependent.
5. Other family members who are financially dependent on the EU citizen.
6. Family members who lived with the EU citizen in their home country for at least 24 months.
7. Family members who need personal care due to serious illness or disability.
8. Unregistered partner in a proven long-term relationship, shown by at least one year of living together, unless the couple has children together.

• Legal right to live and work: Family members of EU citizens enjoy the legal right to live and work in Spain under the same conditions as EU citizens, allowing access to the job market without additional restrictions.
• Flexibility and mobility: The EU family member visa allows for stays of up to five years, meaning family members don’t have to worry about renewing visas frequently. This also gives them the flexibility to travel freely within the Schengen Area.
• Low-cost residency: Unlike other types of visas, there’s no need to make an investment in Spain. This makes it an affordable option for those seeking a second residency without the financial commitment required by other residency programs.
• Access to healthcare and education: As a family member of an EU citizen, you and your dependents can access Spain’s high-quality public healthcare system and education, ensuring you and your family are well cared for during your stay.
• Family reunification: The family reunification policy allows the main applicant to bring their spouse or unmarried partner, children under 18 (or over 18 if they’re financially dependent), and even dependent parents or grandparents, enabling the whole family to live together in Spain.
• Path to EU citizenship: After residing in Spain for 10 years as a permanent resident, family members can apply for Spanish citizenship and EU citizenship, granting access to all the benefits of being an EU national.
• Schengen travel: Holders of this permit can travel freely across the 27 countries in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period, providing enhanced mobility throughout Europe.
• ETIAS and EES exemption: Family members of EU citizens will be exempt from the European Union ETIAS requirement once implemented. They will also be exempt from the European Union Entry/Exit System (EES) meaning they avoid passport registration, photos, and fingerprints.

EU citizens must ensure that their non-EU family members have the right to reside in Spain. The sponsor must also demonstrate their financial ability to support their non-EU family members applying for the residence permit without needing social assistance from Spain.

Be a student

As a student, you must be enrolled in a recognized institution, have health insurance that covers you in Spain, and provide a declaration confirming that you have sufficient funds for yourself and your family members.

Be employed

For EU citizens employed in Spain, they must provide a valid employment contract registered with Social Security as proof of their employment status. There is no requirement for a minimum length of employment or a specific salary amount.

Be self-employed

Being a Self-employed Spanish resident requires:

• Submitting a certificate for being a self-employed worker in Spain (using model 036 or 037). Spain also offers a Spain self-employed visa for non-EU/EEA citizens.
• Providing proof of registration with the Census of Economic Activities (IAE).
• Submitting a certificate of the registered company, certified by the Mercantile Registry.

• Application Form: A completed application for the residence permit.
• Valid Passport: A copy of your valid passport, including any previous visas.
• Health Insurance: Proof of health insurance coverage for at least one year for you and your dependents.
• Clean Criminal Record: A certificate showing no criminal record in your home country or any country where you’ve lived for more than six months in the past five years.
• Proof of Financial Stability: Evidence of sufficient financial resources to support yourself and any dependents, including a signed job contract with a company in Spain.
• Photographs: Recent passport-sized photos of you and any dependents.
• Proof of Relationship: Marriage certificate for spouses and birth certificates for children to prove your relationship with the EU citizen.

For family members

• Spouse/Partner: Provide a marriage certificate or registration of unmarried partnership.
• Minor Children: Provide birth certificates.
• Adult Children: Provide proof of their financial dependence and civil status.
• Parents: Provide proof of their financial dependence.

Non-EU citizens can travel to Spain to join their EU family member and apply for a residence permit once there. Those needing a Schengen visa to enter Spain can apply for either a standard Schengen visa or a family member visa, which is valid for 6 months. During this time, they must travel to Spain and apply for a residence permit.

Here is an overview of the application process for the EU Family Card:

Step 01/ Make sure your EU family member has the proper documents

Your EU family member must have a valid Spanish DNI (if they are Spanish) or a registration certificate as an EU national (green paper or digital version). Then, gather your documents, like your passport and proof of relationship.

Step 02/ Book an immigration appointment

Each region in Spain has its own system. To book, go to the appointment website, select your province, choose “Residencia” or “Tarjeta de familiar de ciudadano de la UE,” pick a date and time, and confirm.

Step 03/ Attend your appointment and bring all documents

Take the following:

• EX-19 form (2 copies)
• Your passport (original + copy)
• Your EU family member’s DNI or EU certificate
• Proof of relationship (e.g., marriage or birth certificate, translated and legalized)
• Proof of cohabitation or financial dependency (if required)
• Empadronamiento (recent address registration)
• Any other required documents

You’ll submit the application at the Oficina de Extranjería (Immigration Office) and get a submission receipt that proves you applied legally.

Step 04/ Book your fingerprint appointment (TIE)

Once your application is approved (“resuelto favorable”), go back to the same appointment site. Choose “Toma de huellas (expedición de tarjeta)” and book your fingerprint appointment.

Step 05/ Pay the TIE fee

Fill out Form 790 Código 012 online or get a printed copy. Select “TIE por concesión de autorización de residencia temporal”. Pay the cost at a bank or online and save the payment receipt.

Step 06/ Go to your fingerprint appointment

Bring your approval letter, passport, payment proof, a passport photo (white background), the EX-19 form, and an updated empadronamiento. You’ll receive a pickup receipt while your card is being made.

Step 07/ Pick up your residence card

Wait about 30 to 45 days. Then return to the same police station and bring your pickup receipt and passport. Some offices require an appointment. Make sure to check your receipt for instructions.

How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?

Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments. 

We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application.