Residence card for family members of EU nationals

What do you need to know?

This is an identification document granted to non-EU family members of a citizen of an 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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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?

Requirements for the person with European citizenship

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. 
• 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. 

Relationship requirements

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?

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.

Can I bring my family with me?

Yes

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. To find out about the procedure for obtaining the certificate of registration as an EU national, consult the end of this file.
• Check and prepare the documents you will need to provide to obtain your card.

Step 2: Request an appointment by email to deliver the documentation

• The appointment request will be made by sending an email to: citabarcelona@correo.gob.es
• 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:
    • Passport/NIE of the applicant.
    • Name and surname of the applicant.
    • Mobile phone.
    • Email.
    • Type of request for which you want an appointment.
    • 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 3: 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:
  1. Filled-in application form for the residence card for family members of EU nationals EX-19.
  2. Passport(s).
  3. 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 4: 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 5: 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, choosing the option "TIE que documenta la primera concesión de la autorización de residencia temporal, de estancia o para trabajadores transfronterizos". 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 6: 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 7: 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. To find out about the procedure for obtaining the certificate of registration as an EU national, consult the end of this file.
• Check and prepare the documents you will need to provide to obtain your card.

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, consult the end of this file.

Step 3: Fill in the application form and submit the 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.
• Gather the required 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. 
• Once the application has been submitted, it will be studied in depth and you will be informed of the decision made on it.

Step 4: Once your application has been accepted, start processing the card 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 5: 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, choosing the option "TIE que documenta la primera concesión de la autorización de residencia temporal, de estancia o para trabajadores transfronterizos". 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 6: 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 7: 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 is needed?

In general, you must provide the original and a copy of the documents.

General documentation

• Official standard application form (EX-19) in duplicate, duly completed and signed by the citizen’s family member.
• Valid full passport of the family member. In the event that it has expired, a copy of the passport and the renewal application must be provided.
• A recent colour photograph, with a white background, passport size.
• The Spanish national identity document (DNI) of the Spanish person or certificate of registration as an EU national of the person whom they are accompanying or are going to join.
• 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 financial means

• If the person with European citizenship is employed in Spain, they can provide the following documents:
  • Employment declaration or certificate of employment, including at least the company’s name and address details, tax identification code and social security contribution account code.
  • Employment contract registered with the Public Employment Service or notification of the contract and its conditions through the CONTRAT@ platform.
  • Document of registration, or similar status in the corresponding Social Security scheme, or consent for the verification of the data in the Social Security General Treasury files.
• If the person with European citizenship is self-employed in Spain, they can provide the following documents:
  • Registration in the economic activities census.
  • Proof of establishment by means of registration in the Companies Register.
  • Document of registration, or similar status in the corresponding Social Security scheme, or consent for the verification of data in the files of the Social Security General Treasury or Tax Authorities.
• If the person with European citizenship has sufficient economic means for themselves and their family members, they must:
  • Having a public or private health insurance taken out in Spain or another country that provides full cover in Spain.
  • Prove financial means by any proof admitted in law, such as property titles, certified cheques, documentation justifying the receipt of capital income, or credit cards with a bank certification accrediting the available amount as the card's credit limit.
• If the person with European citizen is a student, they must: 
  • 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.

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?

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 it cost?

The issue fee is €16.08.

Want to know more?

Body responsible for the formality

Immigration Office and National Policy (Government of Spain)

Further information

You can consult the Government of Spain's Immigration Portal (available only in Spanish).

Important linked procedures

In order to be able to apply for a residence card for family members of EU nationals, it is essential to have completed the following procedures:

Certificate of registration as an EU national

Registration in the municipal register of residents of the city of Barcelona