💑 What Is a Pareja de Hecho?
A Pareja de Hecho is a legally registered civil partnership between two people — similar to a common-law union — that grants many of the same rights as marriage, especially in immigration.
➡️ For unmarried couples, this is often the best way to obtain legal residency in Spain for a non-EU partner.
🇪🇺 Immigration Benefit: EU Family Member Residency
If you’re:
-
A Spanish or other EU citizen, and
-
Your partner is non-EU, and
-
You register as Pareja de Hecho…
👉 Your partner becomes eligible for the Tarjeta de Familiar de Ciudadano de la UE — a full residence & work permit.
📍 But There’s a Catch: Regional Laws Apply
Spain’s regions (autonomous communities) have their own rules for registering as a Pareja de Hecho. Each region defines:
-
Minimum cohabitation time
-
Required documents
-
Whether registration is open to foreigners or tourists
🏛️ Regional Requirements at a Glance
| Region | Key Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Madrid | 12 months of cohabitation + empadronamiento | Must live together for 1 year; registry open to foreigners |
| Catalonia (Barcelona) | 2 years cohabitation OR have child in common | No official registry; use Notario declaration |
| Valencia | 1+ year cohabitation + joint address | Must provide proof of shared finances/residence |
| Andalusia (Málaga, Sevilla) | 1 year of cohabitation | Proof via empadronamiento; registry accepts mixed couples |
| Canary Islands | Very strict; often require long cohabitation | Many expats report delays or denial without strong ties |
➡️ We recommend getting legal help to confirm regional rules.
🧾 Common Documents Needed
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Passports or national IDs | Both partners |
| Proof of relationship | Photos, messages, shared travel, joint bank account |
| Empadronamiento (Padron) | Proving cohabitation at same address |
| Marriage status certificates | Showing both are single |
| Sworn statement before Notario | In some regions (e.g. Catalonia) this is required |
📌 All foreign documents must be apostilled + translated into Spanish
🕓 How Long Does It Take?
| Step | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Gathering documents | 2–4 weeks |
| Appointment with registry or Notary | 2–8 weeks depending on region |
| Certificate issued | Same day to 4 weeks |
| Apply for EU Family Card | 1–3 months after registration |
🏠 Can You Apply While in Spain on a Tourist Visa?
Yes — in many cases, you can register as a Pareja de Hecho even if your partner is on a tourist visa, as long as you can show:
-
Empadronamiento together
-
Sufficient relationship history
-
Proof of financial means (for EU sponsor)
However, some regions may reject short-stay tourists without proof of long-term intent (e.g. lease, job, studies).
❌ Risks & Mistakes to Avoid
-
Using unregistered status — not recognized for immigration
-
Not meeting cohabitation time before applying
-
Submitting incomplete or mistranslated documents
-
Confusing regional vs national requirements
-
Not applying for the TIE (residency card) after registration
➡️ Full breakdown in Article 9: Common Mistakes
✅ Benefits of Registering as Pareja de Hecho
-
Legalizes your relationship in Spain
-
Opens the door to residency & work permit for non-EU partner
-
Can lead to permanent residency and later citizenship
-
Access to healthcare, schools, and work market
👨⚖️ How Borderless Lawyers Can Help
We’ll guide you through:
-
Whether Pareja de Hecho is viable in your region
-
Gathering proper documentation
-
Booking appointments with regional registry or Notary
-
Applying for the residence card (EU Family Card)
-
Translating and legalizing foreign documents