Residence card for a family member of an EU citizen

For the non-EU family members of Spanish or EU citizens residing in Spain.

Residence card for a family member of an EU citizen

A residence authorisation that allows the family members of EU citizens to live and work legally in Spain. The procedure varies slightly depending on whether the EU citizen is a Spanish national residing in Spain or a non-Spanish EU citizen residing in Spain.

Most common cases

If the citizen is Spanish and lives in Spain, the non-EU family member applies for the card directly at the Immigration Office of their place of residence. If the EU citizen is not Spanish, there are two stages, and the authorities tend to review the documentation in more detail:

The EU citizen registers as a resident in Spain and obtains their Registration Certificate.
The non-EU family member then applies at the Immigration Office for the residence card as the family member of an EU citizen.

How to apply

With an appointment in the province of residence or where you are going to settle, provided you are registered with the municipality; or through an authorised professional who acts as your representative and handles the case.

Documentation

It may vary depending on the case; no criminal record certificate is needed.

Proof of the family tie (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.), legalised and, where applicable, translated.
Joint municipal registration certificate proving cohabitation.
Sufficient financial means of the family unit: employment contract and payslips for employees; tax returns and tax registration for the self-employed; bank certificates for own means.
The non-EU family member's full passport.
The EU citizen's identity document (DNI or passport) or their registration certificate in Spain.

Time limit and next steps

The decision usually takes around three months from filing. Once granted, you must go to a police station for fingerprinting and to obtain the Foreigner Identity Card (TIE).