Family Immigration
Residence for family members of EU citizens
How non-EU family members of an EU, EEA or Spanish citizen can get a residence card in Spain.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-15The card is generally issued within three months of a complete application; the initial application itself must be submitted within three months of your entry into Spain.
This guide is not yet verified by Tuchati's editorial review — treat it as a helpful starting point, not a final legal answer.
Overview
If you're a non-EU citizen and your spouse, partner, parent or child is an EU, EEA, Swiss or Spanish citizen living in Spain, you generally qualify for a specific residence card under EU free-movement rules — a distinct and often more straightforward route than standard Family Reunification.
Requirements
- You must be a non-EU national with a recognised family relationship (spouse, registered partner, dependent child under 21, or dependent ascendant) to an EU/EEA/Swiss or Spanish citizen
- You must be accompanying or joining that citizen in Spain
Step-by-step process
- Confirm your family relationship is one recognised under this specific route (spouse, registered partner, dependent children, or dependent parents)
- Gather civil documentation proving the relationship — marriage or birth certificate — apostilled and translated where needed
- Apply in person at the Oficina de Extranjeros within three months of your entry into Spain
- Submit the sponsoring family member's Spanish DNI or EU registration certificate alongside your own documents
- Receive your residence card, generally valid for five years, which also authorises you to work in Spain on the same footing as a Spanish citizen
Required documents
- Valid passport
- Civil documentation proving the family relationship, apostilled and translated
- Sponsoring family member's Spanish DNI or EU citizen registration certificate
Common mistakes
- Missing the three-month application window after entering Spain
- Applying under the standard Family Reunification process by mistake, when this faster EU-linked route actually applies
Practical tips
- This card, once issued, authorises you to work in Spain immediately — no separate work permit is needed
- The initial card is valid five years, subject to the family relationship and conditions continuing to be met — after that, or after five years of residence, permanent status may become available
How Tuchati can help
If you're not sure whether you qualify for this route rather than standard Family Reunification, Tuchati can help you check before you apply.