EU Family Member Residency in Spain: 2024–2025 Legal Changes & Step-by-Step Guide
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Published: 23 August 2023 12:27 CET
Updated: 22 March 2025 12:27 CET
EU Family Member Residency in Spain – Updated for 2024–2025
If you're an EU citizen living in Spain and want to bring your non-EU spouse, partner, or family members to live with you, this guide covers the latest rules, procedures, and benefits for 2024 and 2025.
What Is the EU Family Member Residence Card?
The Tarjeta de Residencia de Familiar de Ciudadano de la Unión is a residence card that allows a non-EU national to legally live and work in Spain as a close family member of an EU citizen. It grants full residence rights, including access to healthcare, employment, and social services — as long as you're residing in Spain with your EU relative.
The card is initially valid for five years and can be upgraded to permanent residency afterward.
Who Can Apply?
You may be eligible if you're a non-EU:
- Spouse (married to the EU citizen)
- Registered partner (pareja de hecho)
- Unregistered but stable partner — new rules allow this if you’ve lived together for a year or share a child
- Dependent child under 21 (or under 26 if the EU citizen is Spanish)
- Dependent parent — automatic eligibility if aged 80+ and Spanish citizen is the sponsor
- Other relatives — in special humanitarian or dependency situations (e.g. disability, cohabitation)
New in 2024: A reform passed in November 2024 (RD 1155/2024) gives more rights to family members of Spanish citizens, with a clearer 5-year permit route and expanded definitions of “family.”
What Are the Main Benefits?
- Live in Spain legally with your EU family member
- Work in Spain without needing a separate work permit
- Free travel across the EU/Schengen zone for short stays
- Apply for permanent residency after 5 years
When Should You Apply?
You must apply within 3 months of arriving in Spain. If you’re already in Spain (on a visa or visa-free), apply before your 90 days run out. You’ll get a receipt (“resguardo”) proving you’re legally in Spain while the application is processed.
Income & Insurance Requirements
The EU sponsor must either be:
- Employed or self-employed in Spain (proof: contract, payslips, social security registration)
- Or: financially self-sufficient with private health insurance covering the family
“Sufficient income” means having more than the amount used to qualify for non-contributory pensions in Spain — typically over €6,000/year for individuals (adjusted by family size).
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Required Documents
Bring originals + photocopies:
- Completed EX–19 application form (2 copies)
- Valid passport (all pages)
- Proof of family relationship (e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate)
- Copy of EU sponsor’s NIE/DNI and passport
- Proof of employment or financial means
- Proof of health insurance (private policy or S1 for pensioners)
- 3 passport-sized photos
- Modelo 790 / 012 form showing €12 fee paid at the bank
- (Optional) Padron certificate showing shared address
Documents from outside Spain must be apostilled or legalised and officially translated into Spanish.
How Long Does It Take?
By law, you should receive your resolution within 3 months. In 2024–2025, processing times are improving under the new digitalisation reforms. Once approved, you’ll be fingerprinted and receive your residence card (“TIE”) within 4–6 weeks.
Can You Keep the Card After Divorce or Death?
Yes — in most cases. If you were married for at least 3 years (1 in Spain), you can keep the card post-divorce. Parents with custody, victims of abuse, or long-term partners with shared children can also keep residency.
If the EU citizen dies, the family may retain residency if they lived in Spain for at least a year together.
Validity & Renewal
The initial card lasts for five years. After that, you can apply for permanent EU family residency valid for ten years.
Recent Legal Updates (2024–2025)
- New 5-year permit specifically for Spanish citizens’ non-EU family
- Age cap raised to 26 for dependent children (if sponsor is Spanish)
- Unregistered partners now explicitly included in law
- Applications can now be partially filed online in some regions
Useful Links & Further Reading
