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Immigration

Family members of EU citizens

If your spouse, partner or relative is a citizen of the European Union, the European Economic Area or Switzerland and lives in Spain, you can live and work here with the residence card for family members of EU citizens. Since 20 May 2025, family members of Spanish nationals generally follow a different route. We tell you which applies to you and handle it.

By Aida Elias Soguero, ICAB member no. 44021 · Updated on 14 October 2026

In brief

Who it is for
Non-EU family members of EU, EEA or Swiss citizens living in Spain, and family members of Spanish nationals.
Where to apply
EU family card: at the Immigration Office (Oficina de Extranjería) or police station of your province of residence, within three months of arrival. Family member of a Spanish national: at the Immigration Office or, from outside Spain, at the consulate.
Decision deadline
EU family card: issued within three months. Family member of a Spanish national: decided within two months; without a reply, it is deemed refused.
Fees
We quote them in the first consultation (€40), with the option to pay in instalments.

Requirements

  • Being the EU citizen's spouse or registered partner, a descendant under 21 or dependent, or a dependent ascendant, of the citizen or their partner.
  • Other relatives who are dependants or lived with the citizen, and an unregistered stable partner, may apply by proving that situation.
  • The EU citizen must work in Spain, have sufficient resources and health insurance, or be studying with insurance and resources.
  • A valid passport, proof of the family relationship legalised or apostilled and translated, and the EU citizen's registration certificate.
  • Paying the issuing fee, equivalent to the Spanish national ID card (DNI) fee.
  • Family members of Spanish nationals: a separate residence authorisation, which includes children under 26, dependent parents and parents of Spanish minors.
  • That authorisation is free and generally lasts five years. If both are in Spain, it can usually be requested here and, once admitted for processing, allows provisional residence and work.

How we help you

  1. We study your case

    We determine whether the EU scheme or the Spanish-family-member scheme applies, and how to prove the relationship and your relative's situation.

  2. We prepare your application

    We gather and check your passport, marriage or partnership certificates, proof of dependency and your relative's documents, with translations and apostilles.

  3. We file the application

    We file the application on time using the correct official form (EX-19 or EX-24).

  4. Follow-up and card

    We deal with any requests until the decision and explain how to obtain the card and when to apply for permanent residence.

Frequently asked questions

My partner is Spanish: should I apply for the EU family card?

As a general rule, no. Since 20 May 2025 you apply for the residence authorisation for family members of Spanish nationals (Royal Decree 1155/2024). The Ministry accepts the EU route only if the right to free movement has been exercised.

I already hold an EU family card as a relative of a Spaniard: must I change it?

If your card was valid on 20 May 2025, you do not need to file a new application: you keep your residence as long as you meet the conditions of the new scheme for family members of Spanish nationals, under the third transitional provision of Royal Decree 1155/2024.

When can I obtain permanent residence?

As a general rule, after five years of lawful, continuous residence in Spain as a family member of an EU citizen. The permanent card is issued within three months of applying and renewed every ten years; the right is lost after more than two consecutive years' absence.

Legislation

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