Family member of an EU citizen: common mistakes
Direct answer
A family member of an EU citizen exercising free movement may reside in Spain by proving the relationship and the EU citizen's status. A family member card is required for long stays and work is permitted after registration.
Key facts
- Covers spouses, registered partners and dependent relatives.
- EU citizen must be exercising residence rights.
- TIE card for non-EU family members.
- Right to work without extra permit after registration.
Our explanation
Errores de documentación
Errors that cause requests for documents, refusals or missed appointments.
Errores de domicilio
Failing to register, submitting simple instead of historical certificate or outdated address.
Errores de plazo
Late filing or expired documents.
Errores de cita
Visiting without appointment or wrong office.
Cómo subsanar
Respond to requests with correct documents and explanation if needed.
Prevención
Use a checklist and verify current rules before filing.
Step by step
- Verify EU citizen's residence basis.
- Gather relationship certificates.
- Register address.
- File card application.
- Collect TIE at police station.
Requirements
- Non-EU family member passport.
- EU citizen identification.
- Proof of relationship.
- Municipal registration.
- Insurance or resources per EU citizen's status.
FAQ
Unregistered partner?
May be proved with strong evidence of stable relationship; strict scrutiny.
Work before the card?
With application receipt some cases allow work; verify locally.
If the EU citizen stops working?
If another residence basis is met, the family member may keep rights.
Spanish spouse?
Specific rules for family of Spanish nationals differ from migrating EU citizens.
Official sources
Verified primary references. Our explanation is independent and does not replace official regulations.