Eligibility quiz
Is one of your parents a Spanish citizen?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Spain
You can live in Spain for the period of your authorisation, normally five years.
It may be shorter if your Spanish family member plans to live in Spain for less time.
If you are outside Spain, it starts when you enter.
Study in Spain
You can study while living in Spain, if you meet the rules of your course and institution.
Work in Spain
Once you are above Spain’s minimum working age, you can work anywhere in Spain, in any occupation or sector.
You can work for an employer or for yourself without a separate work permit.
Visit Schengen countries
With your valid passport and Spanish residence card, you can normally visit other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
The card does not give you the right to settle, work or study in another country.
Use public healthcare
If you live in Spain and meet the healthcare conditions, you can use public healthcare.
This includes not having to prove you have compulsory coverage through another route.
Use social security
Working legally gives you access to Spanish Social Security under the same contribution and benefit rules as other workers.
Payments such as unemployment benefits and pensions have their own conditions and are not automatic.
How to apply
Applying in SpainApplying in Spain
Find your immigration office
Find the immigration office for the province in Spain where you intend to live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Spain immigration office handles the residencia temporal de familiares de personas con nacionalidad española for your city?”
Download the application form
Download the EX-24 residence application form.
Download the formFill in the form
Fill in and sign EX-24, choosing the initial residence option and the box for your relationship. A legal representative signs for you where the law requires it.
See how to complete itSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in Spain’s EX-24 form for residencia temporal de familiares de personas con nacionalidad española?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the immigration office.
See required documentsSubmit your application
Submit your signed form and documents electronically to the immigration office using an available public electronic register or Mercurio, with electronic identification and signature. You can also file in person, normally by appointment.
Find online filingSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit an online application for residencia temporal de familiares de personas con nacionalidad española in Spain?”
Pay any required fee
Pay any residence application fee when the office instructs you, using its payment instructions, and keep proof of payment.
Find payment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay a residence application fee for residencia temporal de familiares de personas con nacionalidad española in Spain?”
Wait for the decision
Watch for the decision through the notification method you chose. Answer any requests from the office for more information or documents.
See how to follow upSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I follow the decision on my residencia temporal de familiares de personas con nacionalidad española application in Spain?”
Find your police station
After approval, find the police station designated to issue foreigner identity cards in your province.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which police station in your city handles Spain’s tarjeta de identidad de extranjero after residencia temporal de familiares de personas con nacionalidad española is approved?”
Book your card appointment
Book an appointment to apply for your foreigner identity card, called the TIE.
Book an appointmentPay the card fee
Pay the TIE fee using form 790-012 and keep proof of payment.
Find payment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay Spain’s form 790-012 fee for a tarjeta de identidad de extranjero after residencia temporal de familiares de personas con nacionalidad española?”
Apply for your card
Go personally to your police appointment with your passport, approval, photograph, payment proof and the filing and appointment documents the police require.
See card instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I apply for a tarjeta de identidad de extranjero after residencia temporal de familiares de personas con nacionalidad española is approved in Spain?”
Collect your card
Collect your TIE as instructed by the police. It is your physical foreigner identity card for your residence in Spain.
Find collection instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I collect a tarjeta de identidad de extranjero after residencia temporal de familiares de personas con nacionalidad española is approved in Spain?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Get your birth certificate showing your Spanish parent from the office that records births. If you were adopted, add the adoption decision.
Parent's citizenship records
Provide a copy of your Spanish parent's valid, complete passport or Spanish identity card. If you are applying as the child of a parent who is or was Spanish by origin, also provide evidence that your parent was Spanish by origin.
Parental consent *
Provide the other parent's consent to your residence in Spain, signed before a notary. If one parent has sole parental authority, provide proof of that instead.
* Only if you apply at a consulate, are under 18 and are the child of only one spouse or partner.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Renewal and changes
If your authorisation is for less than five years, renew it within two months before or three months after it expires.
An application in that window extends it until a decision.
You normally have six months to report changes to your family link or your Spanish family member’s residence when required.
Residence can end
Your authorisation can end or be taken away if it expires without valid renewal, its conditions cease, or your qualifying family link is lost or invalid.
Fraud, false statements, public-order or security grounds, other immigration grounds, or removal or expulsion can also end it.
After a breakup, death or departure, you may be able to keep residence independently if you meet the relevant conditions.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Ley de memoria democrática, nacionalidad española y residencia 🇪🇦
Spanish Facebook group for people interested in Spanish visas and citizenship
Join on FacebookLegal advice for expats in Spain
English Facebook group for people interested in Spanish visas and citizenship
Join on FacebookNacionalidad Española y Portuguesa
Spanish Facebook group for people interested in Spanish visas and citizenship
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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