Family of a Spanish or EU citizen

If your spouse, partner, child or parent is Spanish or an EU citizen, you can usually live and work in Spain on a five-year family card, without the income tests of the other routes.

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Card: 5 years; Then permanent residence
Work allowed: Yes; Employed or self-employed
Spaniard's family: Form EX-24; New route since May 2025
EU citizen's family: Form EX-19; Apply within 3 months

Updated 24 Oct 2026 · Figures checked 12 Oct 2026

In short

This is usually the easiest route for British people with a Spanish or EU partner or close relative. Since 20 May 2025 there are two versions. If your family member is Spanish (and hasn't used EU free movement), you apply for the new family of a Spanish national authorisation on form EX-24: it's free, there's no set income figure, and you get a five-year card that lets you work. If your family member is a citizen of another EU country living in Spain, you apply for the EU family member card on form EX-19 within three months of arriving; they must be working, studying or have enough money and health insurance.

Is this route for you?

Who it suits

Spouses and registered partners of Spanish or EU citizens
Unmarried partners who have lived together for at least 12 months, or have a child together
Children under 26 (or older if dependent or disabled)
Dependent parents, and parents of a Spanish child
British people who gained the family link after moving to Spain on another route

Who it doesn't suit

Partners in a relationship without 12 months' cohabitation, a child together, a marriage or a registered partnership
Adult relatives who aren't dependent on the Spanish or EU citizen
Families of EU citizens who don't live in Spain, or who live there without working, studying or having enough means
British people with no Spanish or EU family member: see the non-lucrative or digital nomad routes

What you need

Family of a Spanish citizen (EX-24, Royal Decree 1155/2024, arts. 93 to 98):

A qualifying relationship: spouse or registered partner; partner with 12 months' cohabitation or a child in common; children under 26 or dependent; dependent parents; parents of a Spanish minor; or one carer of a dependent Spaniard
The Spanish citizen hasn't exercised EU free movement (if they have, the EU card below applies)
Valid passport and a clean record

Family of another EU citizen (EX-19, Royal Decree 240/2007):

The EU citizen is registered in Spain and is employed, self-employed or a student, or has enough money plus health insurance for the family
Proof of the relationship
Apply within three months of arriving

Money: income and costs

Family of a Spanish citizen: the ministry's guidance sets no income or health insurance requirement, and the application is free. You still pay for the TIE card itself.
Family of an EU citizen: the card fee is €12 (modelo 790 código 012). The EU citizen has to show work, study, or enough money and health cover for everyone.
Budget for apostilles and sworn translations of marriage and birth certificates.

Documents

Passport
Application form: EX-24 (family of a Spaniard) or EX-19 (family of an EU citizen)
Proof of the relationship: marriage certificate, registered partnership, proof of 12 months living together, or birth certificates, apostilled and translated into Spanish
The Spanish or EU citizen's ID or passport, and for EU citizens their registration certificate
For dependants: proof of dependency
Padrón certificate showing where you live

How to apply, step by step

Check which version applies
Spanish family member who hasn't lived in another EU country: EX-24. Citizen of another EU country living in Spain, or a Spaniard returning after using free movement: EX-19.
Travel and register on the padrón
You can usually enter Spain as a visitor and apply there. Register on the padrón at the town hall with your family member.
Apply at the extranjería office
Book an appointment and submit the form and documents. EU family cards must be applied for within three months of arriving.
Get your TIE
Once approved, book the fingerprint appointment at the police station within a month to collect your five-year card.

After you arrive, and renewing

Your card lasts five years and lets you work as an employee or self-employed.
After five years you can apply for permanent residence.
If the relationship ends, or the family member dies or leaves Spain, you may keep the right to stay in some circumstances. Get advice before your card expires.

Tax

Living in Spain more than 183 days a year usually makes you Spanish tax resident, the same as on any other route.

Common mistakes

Using the old EU rules for the family of a Spaniard: since May 2025 most use form EX-24
Missing the three-month window for the EU family card
Relationship documents without apostilles or sworn translations
Unmarried couples without solid proof of 12 months living together

When to get professional advice

You're unmarried and your proof of living together is thin
Your Spanish family member has lived in another EU country
A previous refusal, or you're in Spain past your 90 days
Dependent parents or adult children joining you

Questions people ask

My wife is Spanish. Do we need to show income?

The ministry's guidance for the new family of a Spanish national authorisation (form EX-24) lists no income or health insurance requirement, and the application is free. Check the current guidance before you apply, as offices can ask for supporting documents.

We're not married. Can I still apply?

Yes, if you're in a registered partnership, have lived together for at least 12 months, or have a child together.

Can I work on a family card?

Yes. The card lets you work as an employee or self-employed from the day it's granted.

Official sources

We check every figure on this page against these pages. Rules and amounts change, so check them again just before you apply.