Eligibility quiz
Do you have a spouse or partner who is 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 both in SpainApplying both in Spain
Find your immigration office
Find the immigration office for the province where you and your Spanish spouse or partner live or plan to live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Spain immigration office in your city handles Autorización de residencia temporal de familiares de personas con nacionalidad española?”
Download the application form
Download the EX-24 residence application form.
Download the formFill in the form
Complete EX-24 with your details and your Spanish spouse or partner’s details, and sign it.
Find form helpSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in and sign EX-24 for Spain’s Autorización de residencia temporal de familiares de personas con nacionalidad española?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the documents required for the immigration office.
See required documentsFill in the application online
You or your Spanish spouse or partner can enter the application details in Mercurio using a recognised digital certificate or electronic DNI.
Start the online applicationSubmit your application
Attach the completed form and required documents in Mercurio, sign using AutoFirma, submit the application and download the receipt. You can also file at the immigration office under its filing arrangements.
Submit the applicationPay the residence fee
Pay the applicable residence application fee using the official fee route linked from Mercurio, and keep the receipt.
Find the fee paymentSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the fee for Spain’s Autorización de residencia temporal de familiares de personas con nacionalidad española through Mercurio?”
Wait for the decision
Watch for the decision and answer any requests for more information or documents. The stated decision period is two months; if there is no decision by then, the application is treated as refused.
See how decisions workSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does Spain’s Autorización de residencia temporal de familiares de personas con nacionalidad española take and how do I follow the decision?”
Find your police office
After approval, find the police office responsible for your address in Spain.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which police office in your city handles the TIE for Spain’s Autorización de residencia temporal de familiares de personas con nacionalidad española?”
Book a card appointment
Book an appointment through the national police appointment service to apply for your foreigner’s identity card, known as the TIE.
Book your appointmentSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where do I book a TIE appointment for Spain’s Autorización de residencia temporal de familiares de personas con nacionalidad española?”
Apply for your card
Apply for your TIE in person at the police office within one month of approval. The card lets you show your residence status in Spain.
See how to applySearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I apply for a TIE after approval of Spain’s Autorización de residencia temporal de familiares de personas con nacionalidad española?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Spouse or partner's citizenship
Provide a complete copy of your Spanish spouse or partner's passport, or a copy of their valid Spanish identity card.
Children's birth certificates *
Get birth certificates for your children together from the offices that issued them. They can show that you have children together if you have not lived together for 12 continuous months.
* Only if you are unregistered partners and use your children together to show your relationship.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationMarriage certificate *
Get your marriage certificate from the office that issued it. Your consulate may ask for a foreign certificate issued less than six months ago.
* Only if you are married to your Spanish spouse.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationProof of partnership *
If your partnership is registered, get a certificate from the public register where it is recorded. If it is not registered, provide documents showing your ongoing relationship and how long you have lived together; normally this must be at least 12 continuous months, but that period is not required if you have children together.
* Only if you are partners but not married.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationSpouse's relationship declaration *
Your Spanish spouse must provide a signed declaration that no other spouse or partner lives with them in Spain.
* Only if you are married and your consulate asks for it.
Considerations
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
EU Freedom of Movement Support Initiative
English Facebook group for people living in Spain interested in Spanish visas
Request to joinAmecan -USA Canada Australia Europe Japan-Visitor & Student Visa Specialist
English Facebook group for people living in Spain interested in Spanish visas
Join on Facebook👉 Regularizaciones, Residencia, Reagrupación y Nacionalidad Española.
Facebook group for people interested in Spanish visas and citizenship (Spanish, Arabic, & French)
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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