What Is the Spanish Residence Card for EU Family Members?
Non-EU family members of an EU citizen living in Spain may qualify for a residence card under EU Freedom of Movement rights. Known officially as the Tarjeta de Residencia de Familiar de Ciudadano de la Unión, this card allows legal residence and employment in Spain for up to five years.
Unlike tourist or other long-term visas, this card is linked to your relationship with an EU national and offers a streamlined path to legal residency.
👨👩👧👦 Who Can Apply?
Eligible non-EU family members include:
| Relationship | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 👩❤️👨 Spouse / Registered Partner | Must prove a valid legal marriage or registered civil union |
| 🧒 Children under 21 | Must be dependent on the EU citizen |
| 👵 Dependent Parents | Of the EU citizen or their spouse/partner |
| 👶 Children over 21 | If financially dependent or disabled |
| 👫 Unmarried Partners | Proof of a long-term, stable relationship (cohabitation, joint children, etc.) |
The sponsoring EU citizen must be residing in Spain and exercising their treaty rights—meaning they are working, self-employed, studying, or self-sufficient.
📑 Required Documents
To apply for the residence card, you must provide:
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🛂 Valid passport of the applicant
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🪪 DNI or passport of the EU citizen
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📄 Proof of family relationship (e.g., marriage or birth certificate)
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🏠 Empadronamiento (local registration certificate)
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💶 Proof of economic means or work contract of EU citizen
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🏥 Health insurance (if not employed)
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🧾 Completed EX-19 application form
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📸 Passport photos
📌 Note: Documents issued outside Spain must be apostilled and officially translated into Spanish.
🗂️ Step-by-Step Application Process
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Enter Spain legally (with or without a visa depending on nationality)
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Book an appointment at the Immigration Office (Oficina de Extranjería)
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Submit your application with all documents
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Receive the resolution of approval
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Book an appointment for fingerprinting (huellas)
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Collect your residence card (TIE) at the local police station
⏱️ Processing Time: Typically between 1 to 3 months.
✅ Rights Granted by the Residence Card
Holding this residence card gives you the right to:
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🏠 Legally reside in Spain
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💼 Work or study
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🩺 Access public healthcare
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🚆 Travel freely within the Schengen Area
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👨👩👧👦 Apply for permanent residency after 5 years
⚠️ Common Application Pitfalls
Avoid delays and rejections by watching out for:
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❌ Missing or expired documents
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❌ Untranslated or non-apostilled foreign paperwork
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❌ No proof of sufficient economic means
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❌ Failure to register locally (empadronamiento)
👩⚖️ Why Work with Borderless Lawyers?
Applying for a Spanish residence card can involve complex legal and bureaucratic steps. At Borderless Lawyers, we offer:
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📁 Full document review & submission
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📅 Appointment scheduling
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🗣️ Support in English and Spanish
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⚖️ Legal representation if your application is rejected
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✅ End-to-end guidance from our immigration specialists
🚀 Ready to Join Your Family in Spain?
Let us help you secure your residence card and begin your life in Spain legally and with peace of mind.