This is an identification document granted to non-EU family members of a citizen of Spain or of a European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) member state, or of Switzerland, and who are not nationals of any of those states, to prove they are in Spain legally.
This card contains the identification data, the photograph and the identity number for foreign nationals (NIE), as well as the type of permit to stay or reside in Spain: “Régimen Comunitario”.
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VERY IMPORTANT
Family members, when they join or accompany an EU citizen and are going to reside in Spain for a period of more than three (3) months, must apply for and obtain a residence card for family members of EU nationals.
This is a compulsory formality for family members of an EU citizen who wish to reside in Spain for a period of more than three months.
Completing this formality is important, since it legalises and therefore regularises their residence in Spain.
Who does it apply to?
It applies to non-EU family members (spouse, partner and relatives in the ascending and descending lines) who accompany or join a family member from the EU, EEA or Switzerland who is already registered in the central register of foreign nationals.
What requirements must be met?
The citizen of the EU, EEA or Switzerland who you accompany must meet the following conditions:
Be an employee in Spain.
Be self-employed in Spain.
Have sufficient economic resources for himself or herself and his or her family members, so as not to become a burden on Spain’s welfare system during his or her period of residence. In that case, evidence must be provided of the following:
Having health insurance taken out in Spain or another country that provides full cover in Spain.
The assessment of the adequacy of financial resources will be carried out on an individual basis and, in any event, taking into account the personal and family situation of the applicant.
Be a student and have enrolled in a public or private institution recognised or funded by the education authorities, to undertake studies or vocational training. In that case, evidence must also be provided of the following:
Having public or private health insurance taken out in Spain or another country that provides full cover in Spain.
Having made a statement of compliance attesting to the fact that he or she has sufficient financial resources for himself or herself and his or her family members, so as not to become a burden on Spain’s welfare system during his or her period of residence.
You must also have the following relationship with the EU citizen:
In the case of a family member of a student, it could be:
The spouse, provided that the agreement or declaration of nullity of the marital union or divorce has not been formalised.
A partner in a union similar to marital union and registered in a public register in an EU member state, or in an EEA state, provided that the registration has not been cancelled. For that reason, sufficient evidence must be provided. Marriage and registration as a registered partner will, in any event, be regarded as incompatible with each other.
The son or daughter of an EU citizen or his or her spouse or registered partner, provided that:
The agreement or declaration of nullity of the marital union or divorce has not been formalised.
The registration has not been cancelled for the partner, under 21 years of age or over that age and dependent on him or her, or where it is a disabled person.
Any member of the family who in the country of origin is a dependant of, or lives with, the EU citizen. Cohabitation will be regarded as having been proved if a continuous cohabitation of 24 months in the country of origin is reliably demonstrated.
Any family member whose situation, for serious reasons of health or disability, makes it strictly necessary for the EU citizen to take responsibility for his or her personal care.
An unregistered unmarried partner with whom a stable relationship has been duly established by proving the existence of an enduring bond. In any event, the existence of such a relationship shall be understood to mean a period of marital cohabitation of at least one continuous year, unless there are common descendants. In that case, proof of duly demonstrated stable cohabitation will suffice
In other cases, it may be:
The spouse, provided that the agreement or declaration of nullity of the marital union or divorce has not been formalised.
A partner in a union similar to marital union and registered in a public register in an EU member state, or in an EEA state, provided that the registration has not been cancelled. Marriage and registration as a registered partner will, in any event, be regarded as incompatible with each other.
The direct son or daughter of an EU/EEA citizen or of his or her spouse or registered partner, provided that:
The agreement or declaration of nullity of the marital union has not been formalised.
There has not been a divorce.
The registration has not been cancelled for the partner, under 21 years of age or over that age and dependent on him or her, or where it is a disabled person.
A direct relative in the ascending line of the EU/EEA citizen or his or her dependent spouse or registered partner, provided that:
The agreement or declaration of nullity of the marital union has not been formalised.
There has not been a divorce.
The partner’s registration has not been cancelled.
Any member of the family who in the country of origin is a dependant of the EU citizen.
Any member of the family who in the country of origin lives with the EU citizen. Cohabitation will be regarded as having been proved if a continuous cohabitation of 24 months in the country of origin is reliably demonstrated.
Any family member whose situation, for serious reasons of health or disability, makes it strictly necessary for the EU citizen to take responsibility for their personal care.
An unregistered unmarried partner with whom a stable relationship has been duly established by proving the existence of an enduring bond. In any event, the existence of such a relationship shall be understood to mean a period of marital cohabitation of at least one continuous year, unless there are common descendants. In that case, proof of duly demonstrated stable cohabitation will suffice. Marriage and other forms of partnership will always be regarded as incompatible with each other.
How long is it valid for? Can I bring my family with me? Yes
The card will be valid for five (5) years from the date of issue, or the expected period of residence of the EU citizen, if this period is less than five years.
Family members whose means of support are provided by the EU citizen will be regarded as dependants and needing material assistance to cover their basic needs. This dependence must arise in the country of origin.
What do you need to do?
It can be done in person or online.
What steps must you follow?
IN PERSON
Step 1: Make sure your family member with European citizenship has the documents
Before you start applying for your card, make sure your family member, that is, the person you are joining or accompanying, has their Spanish national identification document (DNI) or has previously obtained their certificate of registration as an EU national.
In order to find out about the procedure for obtaining the certificate of registration as an EU national, consult the information on the formality, which contains all the details on how to obtain it.
Step 2: Fill in the application form and gather the required documentation
You must download, fill in and sign the official application form for the residence card for family members of EU nationals EX-19 in duplicate.
The form is only available in Spanish.
Before you start the application, check and prepare the documents you will need to provide to obtain your card.
Step 3: Request an appointment by email to deliver the documentation
The following information must be included, inexcusably (emails that incorporate files will not be processed, or if information other than that indicated below is included):
Subject: PETICIÓN CITA PREVIA
Message body:
i. Passport/NIE of the applicant. ii. Name and surname of the applicant. iii. Mobile phone. iv. Email. v. Type of request for which you want an appointment. vi. Number of applications to be submitted (in case of submitting an application for several family members, the total must be expressly indicated)
Once the email requesting an appointment (following the above instructions) has been received, the Barcelona Immigration Office will analyse it. An email will subsequently be sent to you with information on your allocated appointment and its location, date and time.
Step 4: Go to the place indicated and hand over the documentation
It is crucial that you turn up to your appointment on time, at the allocated address and time.
You will have to provide all the necessary documents for submitting your application (original and copies), in the following order:
Filled-in application form.
Passport(s).
All other documents.
Once your application has been collected, you will be issued a document certifying your application’s submission and which you will need to keep.
Step 5: Start processing the card application
Request an appointment online to have your fingerprints taken.
Once the documentation has been submitted, and after verifying that the status of the file is “Favorable Resolution”, you have one month to take fingerprints from the date of resolution.
It is necessary to request an appointment to have your fingerprints taken. You must go to the Government website and follow the steps below:
In “PROVINCIAS DISPONIBLES”, select Barcelona and click on “Accept”.
In the “TRÁMITES CUERPO NACIONAL DE POLICÍA” field, choose the option “POLICÍA – TOMA DE HUELLAS (EXPEDICIÓN DE TARJETA) Y RENOVACIÓN DE TARJETA DE LARGA DURACIÓN”.
Carefully read the information provided and click on “Accept”.
Fill in the requested personal data.
Select the office where you would like to make an appointment.
Fill in the additional information requested.
Make your appointment according to the dates and places available.
If you request it, you can receive a confirmation of the appointment by e-mail.
Step 6: Pay the fee for the formality
You must pay the fee before having your fingerprint taken as you will have to provide proof of payment.
To be able to pay the relevant fee, fill in the fields of the form 790 fee 012 (indicating the method of payment), download it and print it.
The form allows payment to be made in cash (by depositing the fee at a bank in a Public Treasury account) or by direct debit from a current account (whose number you will have to provide).
Step 7: Go to the place indicated and have your fingerprints taken
Go to the place indicated where you have made an appointment to have your fingerprints taken.
On the day you have your fingerprints taken, you will have to submit, principally, a copy of the application decision, your valid passport, proof of payment of the fee for issuance of the card, a recent photograph in colour (with a white background and passport-size), application form EX-19 and the collective municipal register of residents certificate.
Contact the body in charge to find out exactly what documentation is required.
Once the application has been submitted and your fingerprints have been taken, you will receive a receipt which will be sufficient to prove that you are here legally until the card is issued.
Step 8: Collect your residence card
Once you have had your fingerprints taken, within approximately 45 days you will be able to go and collect your residence card for family members of EU nationals. You must go with the accrediting receipt and the passport.
ONLINE
Step 1: Make sure your family member with European citizenship has the documents
Before you start applying for your card, make sure your family member, that is, the person you are joining or accompanying, has their Spanish national identification document (DNI) or has previously obtained their certificate of registration as an EU national.
In order to find out about the procedure for obtaining the certificate of registration as an EU national, consult the information on the formality, which contains all the details on how to obtain it.
Step 2: You must obtain the digital certificate
Before you can make your submission online, you will need to have your own digital certificate or, if you are applying through a legal representative, a lawyer’s digital certificate. Such representation is exclusive to members of one of the groups that have signed an agreement with the Spanish Government and are recorded as registered in the appropriate registers (currently, administrative managers, labour relations and social security law consultants and lawyers).
To get information about the procedure for obtaining the digital certificate FNMT-RCM, access the information on the formality, where there is a description of all the details about how to obtain it.
Step 3: Fill in the application form and gather the required documentation
You must download, fill in and sign the official application form for the residence card for family members of EU nationals EX-19 in duplicate.
The form is only available in Spanish.
Before you start the application, check and prepare the documents you will need to provide to obtain your card.
Step 4: Submit the documentation
You will need to enter the MERCURIO web portal to submit the documents required in advance, according to the specific case and following the server’s instructions.
Remember, you will need your own digital certificate to make an electronic submission or, if you apply through a legal representative, a representative’s or lawyer’s digital certificate.
Step 5: Wait for your application to be dealt with
Once the application has been submitted, it will be studied in depth and you will be informed of the decision made on it.
Step 6: Once your application has been accepted, start processing the TIE application
Once the documentation has been submitted, and after verifying that the status of the file is “Favourable Decision”, you have one month to take fingerprints from the date of resolution.
It is necessary to request an appointment to have your fingerprints taken. You must go to the Government website and follow the steps below:
In “PROVINCIAS DISPONIBLES”, select Barcelona and click on “Accept”.
In the “TRÁMITES CUERPO NACIONAL DE POLICÍA” field, choose the option “POLICÍA – TOMA DE HUELLAS (EXPEDICIÓN DE TARJETA) Y RENOVACIÓN DE TARJETA DE LARGA DURACIÓN”.
Carefully read the information provided and click on “Accept”.
Fill in the requested personal data.
Select the office where you would like to make an appointment.
Fill in the additional information requested.
Make your appointment according to the dates and places available.
If you request it, you can receive a confirmation of the appointment by e-mail.
Step 7: Pay the fee for the formality
You must pay the fee before having your fingerprint taken as you will have to provide proof of payment.
To be able to pay the relevant fee, fill in the fields of the form 790 fee 012 (indicating the method of payment), download it and print it.
The form allows payment to be made in cash (by depositing the fee at a bank in a Public Treasury account) or by direct debit from a current account (whose number you will have to provide).
The form is only available in Spanish.
Step 8: Go to the place indicated and have your fingerprints taken
Go to the place indicated where you have made an appointment to have your fingerprints taken.
On the day you have your fingerprints taken, you will have to submit, principally, a copy of the application decision, your valid passport, proof of payment of the fee for issuance of the card, a recent photograph in colour (with a white background and passport-size), the application form EX-19 and the collective municipal register of residents certificate.
Once the application has been submitted and your fingerprints have been taken, you will receive a receipt which will be sufficient to prove that you are here legally until the card is issued.
Step 9: Collect your residence card
Once you have had your fingerprints taken, within approximately 45 days you will be able to go and collect your residence card for family members of EU nationals.You must go with the accrediting receipt and the passport.
Who can apply?
The application must be submitted by the family member in person, except in the case of minors or disabled individuals, where the applicaction may be submitted by the person legally representing them.
What documentation must be attached to the application?
In general, you must provide the original and a copy of the documents.
VERY IMPORTANT
The documents must be translated into Spanish by a sworn translator and legalised. In the case of multilingual standard EU forms, neither translation nor authentication is required.
The form of legalisation will depend on whether the issuing country has signed the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 or not:
If the country issuing the public document is a signatory, the document will be recognised if it bears the Hague Apostille stamp. The certificate will be processed in the country of origin.
If the country issuing the public document is not a signatory, then the legalisation process will be carried out through diplomatic channels.
Collective municipal register of residents certificate showing the family member and applicant at the same address.
Proof of economic means, work contract, registration as a self-employed individual or EU family member.
Health insurance for the non-EU applicant, if applicable.
Documentation proving family relationship
If requested by the spouse or partner: Updated marriage certificate or certificate issued by the person responsible for the relevant register of partnerships. Provide a recent copy of less than 3 months
In the case of an unregistered partnership: documentation proving that they constitute a stable couple and which attests to the existence of an enduring bond, as well as evidence of the length of time they have lived together as a couple or, where appropriate, the birth certificate(s) of the common offspring.
If requested by the children or descendants:
Birth certificate of the applicant.
If he or she is over 21 years of age: documentation proving his or her status as a dependant.
If he or she is a child who is not of legal age and does not live in Spain with his or her parents: documentation proving that her or she is a dependent family member or dependant of the EU citizen or of his or her spouse or registered partner.
If requested by relatives in the ascending line
Birth certificate of the EU citizen or his or her spouse or partner.
Documentation proving his or her status as a dependant family member.
In the case of another member of the family: Documentation providing evidence of kinship and dependency, or that in the country of origin he or she lived with the EU citizen, or of serious reasons relating to health or disability.
How long does it take to process the application?
The deadline for submitting the application to obtain a residence card for family members of EU nationals is three (3) months from the date of arrival in Spain.
Once you have had your fingerprints taken, within approximately 45 days you will be able to go and collect the residence card for family members of EU nationals.
The EU Family residency card in Spain
What do you need to know?
This is an identification document granted to non-EU family members of a citizen of Spain or of a European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) member state, or of Switzerland, and who are not nationals of any of those states, to prove they are in Spain legally.
This card contains the identification data, the photograph and the identity number for foreign nationals (NIE), as well as the type of permit to stay or reside in Spain: “Régimen Comunitario”.
Image
VERY IMPORTANT
Family members, when they join or accompany an EU citizen and are going to reside in Spain for a period of more than three (3) months, must apply for and obtain a residence card for family members of EU nationals.
This is a compulsory formality for family members of an EU citizen who wish to reside in Spain for a period of more than three months.
Completing this formality is important, since it legalises and therefore regularises their residence in Spain.
Who does it apply to?
It applies to non-EU family members (spouse, partner and relatives in the ascending and descending lines) who accompany or join a family member from the EU, EEA or Switzerland who is already registered in the central register of foreign nationals.
What requirements must be met?
The citizen of the EU, EEA or Switzerland who you accompany must meet the following conditions:
You must also have the following relationship with the EU citizen:
In other cases, it may be:
How long is it valid for?
Can I bring my family with me?
Yes
The card will be valid for five (5) years from the date of issue, or the expected period of residence of the EU citizen, if this period is less than five years.
Family members whose means of support are provided by the EU citizen will be regarded as dependants and needing material assistance to cover their basic needs. This dependence must arise in the country of origin.
What do you need to do?
It can be done in person or online.
What steps must you follow?
IN PERSON
Step 1: Make sure your family member with European citizenship has the documents
Step 2: Fill in the application form and gather the required documentation
Step 3: Request an appointment by email to deliver the documentation
i. Passport/NIE of the applicant.
ii. Name and surname of the applicant.
iii. Mobile phone.
iv. Email.
v. Type of request for which you want an appointment.
vi. Number of applications to be submitted (in case of submitting an application for several family members, the total must be expressly indicated)
Once the email requesting an appointment (following the above instructions) has been received, the Barcelona Immigration Office will analyse it. An email will subsequently be sent to you with information on your allocated appointment and its location, date and time.
Step 4: Go to the place indicated and hand over the documentation
Step 5: Start processing the card application
Step 6: Pay the fee for the formality
Step 7: Go to the place indicated and have your fingerprints taken
Step 8: Collect your residence card
ONLINE
Step 1: Make sure your family member with European citizenship has the documents
Step 2: You must obtain the digital certificate
Step 3: Fill in the application form and gather the required documentation
Step 4: Submit the documentation
Step 5: Wait for your application to be dealt with
Step 6: Once your application has been accepted, start processing the TIE application
Step 7: Pay the fee for the formality
Step 8: Go to the place indicated and have your fingerprints taken
Step 9: Collect your residence card
Who can apply?
The application must be submitted by the family member in person, except in the case of minors or disabled individuals, where the applicaction may be submitted by the person legally representing them.
What documentation must be attached to the application?
In general, you must provide the original and a copy of the documents.
VERY IMPORTANT
The documents must be translated into Spanish by a sworn translator and legalised. In the case of multilingual standard EU forms, neither translation nor authentication is required.
The form of legalisation will depend on whether the issuing country has signed the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 or not:
If the country issuing the public document is a signatory, the document will be recognised if it bears the Hague Apostille stamp. The certificate will be processed in the country of origin.
If the country issuing the public document is not a signatory, then the legalisation process will be carried out through diplomatic channels.
Get more information about the legalisation and translation of documents.
General documentation
Documentation proving family relationship
How long does it take to process the application?
The deadline for submitting the application to obtain a residence card for family members of EU nationals is three (3) months from the date of arrival in Spain.
Once you have had your fingerprints taken, within approximately 45 days you will be able to go and collect the residence card for family members of EU nationals.
How much does the application cost?
The issue fee is €16.08.
Want to know more?
Which body is responsible for the formality?
Immigration Office and National Policy (Government of Spain)
Where can I find more information?
You can consult the Government of Spain’s Immigration Portal (available only in Spanish).
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