Ruta EspañaSearch
City: All cities
Language: English
Residence and nationality

Residence card for family members of EU citizens / of Spanish nationals

Tarjeta de residencia de familiar de ciudadano de la Unión / Residencia de familiar de persona española

What it is

Non-EU family members (spouse, registered or stable partner, children and other relatives in the cases indicated) of a citizen of another EU or EEA country or Switzerland who will live with them in Spain for more than three months must apply for the residence card for family members of EU citizens with form EX-19, in person, at the Oficina de Extranjería or the police station, within three months of entry; the card is valid for five years. According to the Ministry, family members of a Spanish national can only use this route if the Spanish national has exercised the right of free movement; otherwise they must apply with form EX-24 for the temporary residence permit for family members of Spanish nationals. This second route is free, is filed at the Oficina de Extranjería, at a Consular Office or through Mercurio, is decided within two months (silence means refusal), lasts five years and allows work from the date of filing for spouses, partners and children. In both cases, you must then apply for the card (TIE) at the police station.

Official wording
La persona extranjera que tenga con una persona de nacionalidad española una relación familiar podrá acudir por la vía de familiar de comunitario siempre y cuando haya ejercido el derecho a la libre circulación.

Official sources

Where it applies
All of Spain

Official information

Official sources

When

Within three months of entering Spain, if you will live here more than three months with an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen who has the right of residence.

Official wording
Plazo de presentación: tres meses contados desde la fecha de entrada en España.

Official sources

Steps

  1. Step 1: Check the requirements

    The EU citizen must work as an employee or self-employed in Spain, or have sufficient resources and health insurance, or be a student with insurance and resources. You must be their spouse, registered partner, child under 21 (or older and dependent), dependent ascendant, or another relative in the cases provided for.

    Official wording
    Ser trabajador por cuenta ajena en España, o Ser trabajador por cuenta propia en España, o Disponer para sí y los miembros de su familia, de recursos económicos suficientes

    Official sources

  2. Step 2: File EX-19 in person

    You file it in person at the Immigration Office of the province where you will live or at the corresponding police station. You get a receipt proving your legal stay until the card is issued.

    Official wording
    Se entregará un resguardo acreditativo de la presentación de la solicitud que es suficiente para acreditar la situación de estancia legal hasta la entrega de la tarjeta.

    Official sources

  3. Step 3: Receive the card

    The card is issued within three months of applying and is valid for five years (or for the EU citizen’s planned residence, if shorter). The fee is paid before issue.

    Official wording
    La expedición de la tarjeta de residencia deberá realizarse en el plazo de los tres meses siguientes a la presentación de la solicitud .

    Official sources

Documents

Your ticks are saved on this device only.

🖨 Printable bilingual document card (you can show it at the counter)

Fees

Form 790 code 052, section 5; the amount equals what Spaniards pay for the DNI.

Official wording
serán en todo caso, equivalentes a la que se exige a los ciudadanos españoles para la obtención y renovación del documento nacional de identidad.

Official sources

FAQ

My partner is Spanish and has never lived in another EU country. What do I apply for?

The "temporary residence authorisation for family members of Spanish nationals" (EX-24): it is free, decided within two months (without a reply, refused) and valid for five years. While it is processed you may stay in Spain and, for spouses, partners and children, work.

Official wording
este procedimiento tendrá carácter gratuito.

Official sources

Related procedures

Terms used on this page