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Card for family members of EU citizens (tarjeta comunitaria)

Official name: Residence card for family members of citizens of the Union (Tarjeta de residencia de familiar de ciudadano de la Unión)

€345VAT included

+ €12 in government fees · Estimated total cost: €357

See the price breakdown

If you are from outside the European Union (EU) and your spouse, partner, son, daughter, father or mother is a citizen of another EU country, the EEA (European Economic Area) or Switzerland and lives in Spain, this is your card. You apply with form EX-19 within 3 months of your arrival; it lasts 5 years and lets you work. If your family member is Spanish, your procedure is a different one.

In short

Who it is for
Non-EU family members of a citizen of another EU or EEA country or Switzerland who lives in Spain
Duration
5 years (or your family member's planned period of residence, if shorter)
Can I work?
Yes, as an employee or self-employed, on the same terms as Spanish nationals
Where to apply
In person, at the Immigration Office (Oficina de Extranjería) of the province or at a police station
Message us on WhatsApp
Tell us about your situation

To talk about your case, at any time (24 hours). Please don't send documents on WhatsApp: if we need any, we'll give you a secure way to send them.

Is this your procedure?

It is for you if…

  • Spouse, if there is no annulment or divorce (art. 2.a of RD 240/2007).
  • Partner registered in a public register of an EU or EEA country (art. 2.b).
  • Sons and daughters of the EU citizen or of their spouse or registered partner, under 21, or older and dependent or with a disability (art. 2.c).
  • Father and mother of the EU citizen or of their spouse or registered partner, if they are dependent on them (art. 2.d).
  • Unregistered partner in a proven stable relationship: at least 1 continuous year of living together or, if you have children together, proven stable cohabitation (art. 2 bis).
  • Other family members who, in the country they come from, were dependent on the EU citizen or lived with them, or who need their care for serious health or disability reasons (art. 2 bis).

It is not for you if…

  • Your family member is Spanish and has not exercised free movement in the EU: your procedure is residence as a family member of a Spanish national.

    See: Family of a Spanish national

  • You are also a citizen of the EU, the EEA or Switzerland: what you need is the EU registration certificate.

    See: EU registration certificate

  • You are the father, mother or guardian of a child from another EU or EEA country or Switzerland: your route is family arraigo.

    See: Family arraigo

  • Your family member is from outside the EU and has residence in Spain: that is family reunification.

    See: Family reunification

If you were looking for…

«tarjeta comunitaria (EU family card)»
It is the popular name for this card. For family members of Spanish nationals, since 20 May 2025 the general route is residence as a family member of a Spanish national (form EX-24). The tarjeta comunitaria is only still their route if the Spanish family member has exercised the right to free movement in the EU.
«permanent tarjeta comunitaria»
After 5 years of continuous legal residence in Spain you can apply for the permanent residence card for family members of citizens of the Union, which is renewed every 10 years (arts. 10 and 11 of RD 240/2007).

Requirements

  • Your family member is a citizen of another EU country, the EEA (Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway) or Switzerland, and you do not have any of those nationalities.

    RD 240/2007, arts. 2 and 8.1 and additional provision 3; family members of Spanish nationals: RD 1155/2024, arts. 93-99

  • You come with your family member or join them in Spain.

    RD 240/2007, art. 8.1

  • Your family member has the right to live in Spain for more than 3 months: they work as an employee or self-employed, or have sufficient resources and health insurance, or study with insurance and resources.

    RD 240/2007, art. 7.1 and 7.2; Order PRE/1490/2012, art. 3

  • If your family member is in Spain as a student, their spouse or registered partner and dependent children can use this route, but not their parents or their partner's parents.

    RD 240/2007, art. 7.4; Order PRE/1490/2012, art. 4.2

  • Prove the family relationship and, where required, that you are dependent on your family member.

    RD 240/2007, art. 8.3

  • Pay the government fee for the card, which is the same amount as the fee for the DNI (Spanish national identity card).

    RD 240/2007, art. 14.1

  • Even if you meet the above, the card can be refused on grounds of public order, public security or public health, always assessing your individual case.

    RD 240/2007, art. 15

Documents

Guide list only. Before we start, we tell you exactly which ones you need in your case.

  • Form EX-19, filled in and signed.
  • Valid, in-date passport. If it has expired, a copy and the renewal application.
  • Document proving the relationship (marriage, registered partnership, birth), translated and apostilled or legalised if needed.
  • Your family member's EU registration certificate.
  • Proof that your family member works, or has resources and health insurance, or studies, depending on their case.
  • If required (children aged 21 or over, parents, other family members): proof that you are dependent on them.
  • Unregistered partner: proof of the stable relationship and of the time you have lived together.
  • Three recent colour passport-size photographs with a white background.
  • Receipt for payment of the fee.

Please don't send documents on WhatsApp or by email. If we need any, we'll give you a secure way to send them.

Deadlines

When to apply
Within 3 months of entering Spain. When you apply, you get a receipt that proves your legal stay until you have the card (art. 8.2).
Time limit for issuing it
The rules set 3 months from the application. If it is granted, it takes effect from the date you entered Spain as a family member (art. 8.4).
While you wait
The application does not stop you from staying in Spain or carrying out your activities (art. 12.2).
Validity and absences
5 years. It lapses if you spend more than 6 months a year outside Spain, except in cases such as military service or absences of up to 12 consecutive months for pregnancy and childbirth, serious illness, studies or a work posting (art. 14.3).
Changes you must report
Changes of nationality, marital status or address, to the Immigration Office or the police station (art. 14.2).

How we work

  1. 1. You tell us about your situation

    On WhatsApp, by phone or with the form. A few lines are enough.

  2. 2. We tell you which procedure, which documents and what it costs

    Before we start, with a fixed price and government fees on top. If it isn't the right procedure for you, we tell you.

  3. 3. We prepare your application file

    We review your documents and make sure the file is complete and well explained. Once we have everything, we tell you the date it will be ready.

    Online submission on your behalf when the procedure allows it.

  4. 4. Follow-up and an update on every development

    We follow your file until the decision. If the authorities ask for anything else, we prepare it with you.

Fingerprinting for the TIE is done in person, by you: that part is yours.

In Barcelona and Catalonia

It is a national (state) procedure. In the province of Barcelona you apply in person at the Immigration Office or at a Policía Nacional (national police) station, with the appointment (cita previa) you book yourself.

Immigration in Barcelona: offices and data for the province

Frequently asked questions

My partner is Spanish. Can I apply for the tarjeta comunitaria?

As a general rule, no: since 20 May 2025, family members of Spanish nationals have their own authorisation, residence as a family member of a Spanish national (form EX-24). The exception is if your Spanish family member has exercised the right to free movement in the EU: then you can use form EX-19 (Sheet 62 of the Ministry of Inclusion).

Can I work with this card?

Yes, as an employee or self-employed, on the same terms as Spanish nationals (art. 3.2 of RD 240/2007).

My European family member is studying in Spain. Can I apply?

Yes, if you are their spouse, registered partner or dependent child. Your family member must be enrolled, have health insurance and declare that they have sufficient resources (art. 7.4 of RD 240/2007; Order PRE/1490/2012, arts. 3.2.d and 4.2).

Do I need a visa to enter Spain?

If your nationality requires one to enter the Schengen area, yes. You do not need one if you have a valid residence card for family members of citizens of the Union issued by another EEA country (art. 4.2 of RD 240/2007).

What happens if my European family member dies or leaves Spain, or if we divorce?

You can keep your residence in several cases. Death: if you were already living in Spain before. Leaving Spain or death: your children in school and the person who has custody of them keep it until they finish their studies. Divorce: if the marriage lasted at least 3 years (1 in Spain), if you have custody of or visiting rights to the children, or in cases of gender-based violence or trafficking (art. 9 of RD 240/2007).

Review and sources

Written with the help of AI and reviewed by the Un Papel Menos team on 13 October 2026.

Last updated: .

Legislation

Sources

Related procedures

EU registration certificate

For citizens of the EU, the EEA or Switzerland living in Spain for more than 3 months: compulsory registration with your NIE.

€125VAT included · government fees not included

Family of a Spanish national

If you are the partner, son, daughter, father or mother of a Spanish national: 5-year residence to live and work in any sector.

€345VAT included · government fees not included

Family arraigo

For the mother, father or guardian of a child from another EU or EEA country or Switzerland. It lasts 5 years.

€395VAT included · government fees not included

Family reunification

If you have residence in Spain and want to bring your partner, children or parents: authorisation and visa for them.

€490VAT included · government fees not included

Tell us about your situation

Before we start, we tell you which procedure fits your situation and what it costs.

Or, if you prefer:

Step 1 of 2 · What do you need?

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