Spain Residence for Family of Spanish Citizens: Guide

Who can apply

You must have a family relationship with a Spanish citizen. This citizen must accompany you, join you, or reunite with you in Spain, unless you are the child of a Spanish citizen of origin.^[1]

You cannot be a citizen of a European Union state, the European Economic Area, or Switzerland.^[2]

You must have no criminal record in Spain or in countries where you lived during the last five years for offenses under Spanish law. You must also not be within a period of commitment not to return to Spain.^[3][4]

You must not be listed as rejectable in the territory of countries with which Spain has signed an agreement. You must not represent a threat to public order, public safety, or public health. You must not suffer from any disease that could have serious public health implications under the International Health Regulations 2005.^[5][6][7]

What you need to show

You must submit the official application form EX-24, fully completed and signed.^[8]

You need to provide a complete copy of your valid passport or travel document. You must also provide a complete copy of your Spanish family member's valid passport or national identity card.^[9][10]

You must provide documentation that proves the existence of your family relationship with the Spanish citizen. If the application is for a spouse or partner, you must provide a responsible declaration stating that no other spouse or partner lives with them in Spain. If you are in a second marriage, you must prove the dissolution of your previous marriages.^[11][12][13]

If you do not apply in Spain, you must provide a criminal record certificate from the countries where you lived during the previous five years.^[14]

You must legalize all foreign public documents beforehand, unless they are apostilled or exempt under an international treaty. You must also translate documents from other countries into Spanish or a co-official language using an official translator.^[15][16]

Costs and money

You do not have to pay any fee for this procedure. The application process is completely free.^[17][18]

Timing and next steps

The processing time for the application is two months from the date of submission or receipt of the communication.^[19]

If you are abroad and your authorization is approved, you must apply for the corresponding visa within one month of the approval notification.^[20]

You must apply in person for your foreigner identity card within one month of the approval notification or your entry into Spain.^[21]

You must submit your renewal application within the two months before the expiration date or within the three months after it.^[22]

Checklist

• Fill out and sign the official EX-24 application form.^[8]
• Get a complete copy of your valid passport or travel document.^[9]
• Get a complete copy of your Spanish family member's passport or identity card.^[10]
• Gather documents proving your family relationship.^[11]
• Legalize and translate all foreign documents into Spanish.^[15][16]

Questions people ask

This explains what one official page says. It is not legal advice, and the page itself is the authority. Rules change; the wire reports it when they do.