Family member of an EU citizen: requirements and documents
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
Requisitos generales
Essential paperwork, originals and copies, apostille and sworn translation when required.
Documentos de identidad
Full passport, valid residence card or NIE and copies.
Prueba de domicilio o vínculo
Spouse, registered partner, children under 21 or dependent, dependent ascendants and other dependency cases.
Apostilla y traducción
Foreign documents apostilled and sworn translation when required.
Checklist antes de presentar
Check expiry dates, certified copies and file order.
Después de la presentación
Keep receipts and respond to requests on time.
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.