• It is intended for certain non-EU relatives of EU, EEA or Swiss citizens living in Spain.
• It may cover spouses, registered partners, descendants, ascendants and certain extended family members.
• The EU citizen must meet the conditions for residing in Spain for more than three months.
• The application must be submitted within three months of entering Spain.
• As a general rule, the card is valid for five years and gives its holder the right to work.

Residence Card for Family Members of an EU Citizen in Spain

The Tarjeta de Residencia de Familiar de Ciudadano de la Unión documents the right of certain non-EU relatives of EU, EEA or Swiss citizens to reside in Spain. It is governed mainly by Real Decreto 240/2007 and EU free-movement law.

Relative of an EU citizen or relative of a Spanish citizen?

Since 2025, these situations must be distinguished carefully. When the sponsor is a citizen of another EU or EEA country, or Switzerland, and lives in Spain, the system under Real Decreto 240/2007 will normally apply.

Relatives of Spanish citizens now have a specific permit called residencia temporal de familiares de personas con nacionalidad española, generally requested using form EX-24. The EU route using EX-19 may still apply in certain cases where the Spanish citizen previously exercised the right to free movement.

Who may obtain the card?

Spouse or registered partner

The spouse may qualify while the marriage remains valid. A partner registered in a recognised public register may also apply while that registration remains in force.

Descendants

Direct descendants of the EU citizen and, in certain cases, those of their spouse or registered partner may qualify if they are under 21, over 21 and dependent, or dependent because of their personal circumstances.

Ascendants

Parents, grandparents and other direct ascendants may qualify when they are dependent on the EU citizen.

Other relatives and unmarried partners

Article 2 bis of Real Decreto 240/2007 also covers certain extended family members. It may apply where the relative was dependent on or lived with the EU citizen in the country of origin, or requires the citizen's personal care for serious health or disability-related reasons.

An unregistered long-term partner may also qualify if the relationship is sufficiently proven. Relevant reference periods include 24 months of prior continuous cohabitation for certain relatives and at least one year of continuous marital-type cohabitation for long-term partners. Having children together may affect this assessment.

Requirements for the EU citizen

The EU citizen must meet the conditions for residing in Spain for more than three months. They must normally be employed, self-employed, a person with sufficient resources and health cover, or a student with health cover and sufficient resources. The documents required depend on their circumstances.

What does being “dependent” mean?

This is particularly important for ascendants, descendants over 21 and some extended family members. There must be genuine financial dependence for basic needs; occasional assistance is normally insufficient. Evidence may include transfers, the relative's income, ordinary expenses and other documents showing that material support from the EU citizen is necessary.

Documents normally required

Depending on the family relationship and the EU citizen's circumstances, the application may include:

• form EX-19;
• the relative's complete and valid passport;
• evidence of the family relationship;
• the EU citizen's DNI or EU registration certificate;
• evidence of the EU citizen's employment, financial or academic circumstances;
• proof of financial dependence where required;
• proof of prior cohabitation for extended family members;
• proof of a durable relationship for unregistered partners;
• a recent passport photograph.

Foreign documents: translation, apostille and legalisation

Certificates issued outside Spain may require an apostille, legalisation or a sworn translation. The correct procedure depends on the issuing country, the type of document and the applicable international agreements. Certain exemptions and multilingual standard forms are available within the EU. Check the requirements before arranging a translation or legalisation to avoid unnecessary steps.

When and where is the application submitted?

The application must be submitted within three months of entering Spain, normally to the competent Oficina de Extranjería or, depending on the procedure, the relevant police station. The applicant receives proof of submission while the card is being processed.

Issuing the card is subject to an administrative fee. The current form, fee category and amount should be checked before applying because they may change.

Validity and right to work

The card is normally valid for five years. If the EU citizen intends to remain in Spain for a shorter period, its validity may be limited accordingly.

The card allows employed and self-employed work without a separate work permit. Where the right of residence depends on continued financial dependence, income earned by the relative may affect that assessment.

What happens after five years?

After five years of continuous legal residence, the person may acquire a right of permanent residence if the relevant conditions are met. Permanent residence is not the same as Spanish nationality, which has separate requirements and time limits.

What if the family relationship ends?

Divorce, death, separation or cancellation of a registered partnership does not necessarily lead to the automatic loss of residence. The right may be retained in certain circumstances, depending on factors such as the length of the marriage and residence, children, custody, and the relative's personal, financial and employment situation.

• Using form EX-19 for a relative of a Spanish citizen without first checking whether the specific EX-24 permit applies.
• Submitting isolated transfers as the only evidence when genuine and continuous financial dependence must be proven.
• Submitting foreign certificates without checking whether they require a sworn translation, apostille or legalisation.