Temporary residence for family members of Spanish citizens

What do you need to know?

Under the new immigration regulations which came into force on 20 May 2025, family members of Spanish citizens may apply for this temporary residence permit.

Who does it apply to?

This type of residence permit is available to the following family members of a Spanish citizen:

• spouse, unmarried partner listed in an official register or stable partner (in Catalonia, defined as individuals living together in a marriage-like relationship for two consecutive years, or less if they have a child together)
• descendants under the age of 26, or over the age of 26 if they are dependent or disabled
• first-degree ascendant relatives who are dependent and lack family support in the country of origin (if they are older than 80, they will be deemed to be dependent without the need for documentary proof)
• father, mother or guardian of a Spanish minor
• caregiver for a Spanish national with a degree of dependency
• children whose parents were originally Spanish
• other family members who can prove that they are dependants of the Spanish citizen

What requirements must be met?

Requirements for the Spanish citizen

The Spanish citizen must have a valid passport or Spanish national identification document (DNI).

Relationship requirements

The foreign national must also have the following relationship with the Spanish citizen:

• Spouse, provided that an agreement or declaration of divorce or annulment of the marriage has not been formalised.
• Partner listed in a public register of unmarried partners of Spanish citizens or in an EU member state or in a state that is part of the European Economic Area, and Switzerland.
• Duly proven stable partner (by virtue of living together over 12 months or having children together) of the Spanish citizen
• The son or daughter of a Spanish citizen or his or her spouse registered or stable partner if they also live in Spain and:
  • An agreement or declaration of divorce or annulment of the marriage has not been formalised.
  • The registration has not been cancelled for the partner, and the child is under 26 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 Spanish citizen. Cohabitation will be deemed to have been established if it is reliably proven that there is a sustained cohabitation when the family member is in the country of origin or provenance, and it may be a situation of financial, physical or humanitarian dependency.
• Caregiver of a Spanish citizen with a recognised degree of dependency who must be a relative up to the second degree (only one caregiver per Spanish citizen is permitted).
• Child of an originally Spanish parent (parent who originally held Spanish citizenship, even if they subsequently lost it)
• First-degree direct-line ascendant relatives, whether one’s own or those of their spouse or registered or stable partner, if these relatives are their dependants and have no other support in the country of origin, or if there are humanitarian reasons. First-degree ascendant relatives over the age of 80 will be deemed to be dependent.
• Father, mother or guardian of a Spanish minor if they are responsible for the minor, live with the minor or are up to date with their parental obligations.

How long is it valid for?

The card will be valid for five (5) years from the date of issue.

Can I bring my family with me?

Yes.

Family members whose means of support are provided by the Spanish 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 Spanish citizenship has the required documents

• Before you start applying for your card, make sure that your family member, that is, the person you are joining or accompanying, has their Spanish national identification document (DNI).
• 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. Official residence card application form for relatives of Spanish citizens.
  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

• 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-17 and the updated 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 Spanish citizens. You must go with the accrediting receipt and the passport. You must check the receipt slip to see if you need to get an appointment to collect the card. The receipt includes information on whether you need to get an appointment and how to do this.

ONLINE

Step 1: Make sure your family member with Spanish citizenship has the required documents

• Before you start applying for your card, make sure that your family member, that is, the person you are joining or accompanying, has their Spanish national identification document (DNI).
• 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 Spanish nationals.
• 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-17 and the updated 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 Spanish citizens.You must go with the accrediting receipt and the passport.

Who should apply?

THE SPANISH CITIZEN

If the Spanish citizen is in Spain and the foreign family member is outside the country, the Spanish citizen must apply.

The application must be made at the Oficina de Extranjería (Immigration Office) in the applicant’s province of residence.

The foreign family member must have a visa to enter Spain.

THE FOREIGN FAMILY MEMBER

The foreign family member must apply if both they and the Spanish citizen are abroad.

The visa application must be made at the Spanish consular office in the applicant’s country of residence.

THE SPANISH CITIZEN OR THE FOREIGN FAMILY MEMBER

Either the Spanish citizen or the foreign family member may apply if both are in Spain and they are not extended family.

The application must be made at the Oficina de Extranjería (Immigration Office) in the applicant’s province of residence.

What documentation is needed?

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

General documentation

• Printed official application form in duplicate, duly completed and signed by the family member of the Spanish citizen.
• 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.
• ID card (DNI) of the Spanish national.
• Updated 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

When necessary, proof of remittances totalling at least 51% of the country of residence’s GDP per capita to support the family member in their country must be provided.

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 26 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 Spanish 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 Spanish 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 a family member of a Spanish citizen is one (1) month from the date of the official decision or entry into Spain in the case of a visa.

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 of Spanish citizens.

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 Spanish nationals, it is essential to have completed the following procedures:

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