Spain EU Family Reunification Guide

EU family reunification (tarjeta de familiar de ciudadano de la Unión) covers non-EU family members joining an EU citizen who is exercising their right of free movement in Spain.

• Spouses and registered partners of EU citizens residing in Spain
• Direct descendants under 21 or dependent on the EU citizen
• Dependent direct ascendants of the EU citizen or their spouse
• EU citizens' family members regardless of the EU citizen's nationality (including UK citizens with EU-sponsor rights in limited cases)

This route follows EU Directive 2004/38/EC and is generally simpler than standard reagrupación familiar for non-EU sponsors.

• EU sponsor must be exercising treaty rights in Spain (employed, self-employed, studying with sufficient means, or otherwise legally resident)
• Proof of relationship: marriage certificate, birth certificate, or partnership registration
• Proof of EU citizen's identity (passport or national ID) and residence in Spain
• For dependent family members: evidence of financial dependency
• No labour market test or sponsor income thresholds equivalent to FSC in most cases
• Documents may need apostille and translation depending on country of origin

Apply at the Oficina de Extranjería or designated police station in Spain — not typically at a consulate abroad.

• Foreign documents usually require an apostille (or equivalent legalization) and a sworn translation into Spanish (traducción jurada).
• Most consulates expect documents issued within the last 3 months unless otherwise stated.
• Passport must typically be valid for at least 12 months with at least two blank pages.
• EU citizen's valid passport or national identity document
• Proof of EU citizen's activity in Spain (employment contract, autónomo registration, enrolment certificate, or sufficient means proof)
• Relationship documents (marriage, birth, or partnership certificate)
• Applicant's valid passport
• Empadronamiento certificate for the EU citizen and family
• Completed EX-19 application form
• Two passport photos and fee payment (form 790-012)

Applications are processed in Spain — the EU citizen and family member apply together at Extranjería or the police station.

• EU citizen registers at their ayuntamiento (empadronamiento) if not already done
• Book cita previa at Oficina de Extranjería or Policía Nacional for EU family card
• Submit EX-19 with relationship proof and EU citizen's activity evidence
• Receive tarjeta de familiar de ciudadano de la UE — processing often faster than FSC
• After five years of continuous legal residence, family members may apply for permanent residence
• Work rights: family members can work in Spain without a separate work permit

EU family cards grant broad rights — register for healthcare and update your address when you move.

• Empadronamiento: register your address at the local ayuntamiento within the first weeks.
• TIE card: book a cita previa for fingerprinting within 30 days of arrival or approval; submit EX-17 and pay form 790-012.
• Tax registration: file Form 030 with AEAT to register your fiscal address in Spain.
• Healthcare: register at your centro de salud with tarjeta and empadronamiento — access to public SNS
• Work: no separate work authorization needed — update Seguridad Social when starting employment
• Renewals: card is typically valid for five years if relationship continues