Intended for family members of European citizens, the EU Family Card is the perfect solution for those who are going to reside in Spain for more than three months. This document facilitates legal residence in the country and allows you to work as an employee or self-employed person.
We explain how to obtain the Community Family Card and offer you personalised advice to facilitate your path towards family reunification and make the process easier with the peace of mind and security that this Community Card provides.
Which family members can apply for the EU family card
The family ties that entitle you to the EU family card and that allow family reunification in Spain are:
- Spouse or unmarried partner registered in the Public Registry or who can prove that they live together or have children in common. It is IMPORTANT to bear in mind that the operation and requirements for accrediting the partnership may vary from one Autonomous Community to another.
- Descendants of the applicant or his/her spouse/registered partner: This covers minor and, in some cases, adult children who are dependent and dependent on the applicant.
- Ascendants of the applicant or his/her spouse/registered partner: This criterion applies as long as they can prove that they are dependent on the applicant or the EU citizen.
- Other relatives: In very exceptional cases, other relatives may be considered if there are serious health or disability reasons, or if they are dependent or living together in the applicant's country of origin.
Requirements for EU citizens
In order to obtain the Community Family Card, it is essential that the EU citizen meets a number of specific requirements including:
- Be an active worker or a student enrolled in a recognised educational programme.
- Demonstrate the availability of sufficient financial resources to support themselves during their stay in Spain, which may include regular income or savings.
- Adequate health coverage during the period of residence in the country.
List of European countries that allow you to apply for the EU family card
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
Duration and details of the EU Family Card
The duration of this card is 5 years, after which you can obtain permanent residence.
This Community card allows you to work as an employee, and also as a self-employed person. The only exceptions are those residences that have been obtained as a result of being a dependent of the EU citizen.
The circumstances and requirements that existed at the time the card was granted must be maintained throughout the period of validity of the EU family card, in particular:
- Maintain the link and cohabitation (census registration).
- Being dependent and financially dependent on the EU family member.
- If there are changes, they must be notified or the permit must be modified