EU Family Member Card in Spain
Non-EU spouses, partners, and dependents of EU citizens can live and work in Spain without a separate visa. You apply for the Tarjeta de Familiar de Ciudadano de la Unión within three months of arriving.
Who Qualifies?
- Spouse of an EU citizen (legal marriage)
- Registered partner (pareja de hecho) of an EU citizen
- Children or grandchildren under 21 or dependent
- Dependent parents or grandparents
The EU citizen must be exercising their treaty rights in Spain, meaning they’re working, self-employed, studying, or self-sufficient.
Where to Apply
Oficina de Extranjería in your province. This is different from the police station where NIE and TIE appointments happen. Find offices →
Required Documents
- Your passport (original plus copy)
- EX-19 form
- Your EU family member’s passport or ID plus their green certificate
- Proof of your relationship (marriage certificate, pareja de hecho registration, or birth certificates)
- Modelo 790-012 fee paid at a bank
- Photo (passport size)
- Empadronamiento showing you live at the same address as your EU family member
Foreign documents need an apostille and sworn translation into Spanish.
How to Book
- Go to Cita Previa Extranjería (search Google for “cita previa extranjería”) (the site may be slow or temporarily unavailable. Keep trying)
- Select your province
- Choose “Extranjería. Tarjeta de familiar de ciudadano de la Unión”
- Enter your passport number
- Pick a date
- Print your confirmation
The Process
You submit your application at Extranjería and receive a resguardo (receipt). That’s your temporary proof of status while they process it, which takes one to three months.
After approval, you book a separate fingerprint appointment at the police station to get the physical card. The card is valid for five years and lets you work in Spain without additional permits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work with the EU family card?
Yes. The card gives you full work rights in Spain, both employed and self-employed. No additional work permit needed.
What if we divorce?
You might keep your residence rights depending on circumstances like how long you were married, whether you have children, or domestic violence situations. Talk to us before making any changes to your status.
Does the EU citizen need to register first?
Yes. Your EU family member needs their green certificate (Certificado de Registro) before you can apply for your card.
Need Help?
The EU family card process has a lot of moving parts. If you want to make sure you’ve got everything in order, book a consultation.