EU Citizen Family Member Residence Card

A residence permit for family members of EU, EEA and Swiss citizens who wish to reside in Spain for more than three months, accompanying or joining the EU citizen.

5 years

General validity of the residence card

3 months

Deadline to apply after entering Spain

2 years

continuous legal residence, giving eligibility for nationality for Ibero-American nationals

Who is it for?

Immediate family and, in certain cases, extended family

Spouses and stable partners

Registered or not, provided the relationship is maintained under the legally required terms.

Direct descendants

Of the EU citizen or their spouse/partner: under 21, or older if dependent or with a disability.

Dependent ascendants

Of the EU citizen or their spouse or partner, when they are dependent.

Extended family

Certain other family members and unregistered partners, evidencing dependency, cohabitation or a durable relationship.

Requirements

Conditions for the application

Important: when the EU citizen and their family member relocate to Spain together, both procedures must be coordinated. The EU citizen must first obtain their Registration Certificate (CUE), which is later submitted with the family member’s residence card application.

Step-by-step procedure

From entry into Spain to the residence card

STEP 1

Preparation and submission

Application submitted exclusively online to the UGE-CE, by the company or the professional.

1
2
STEP 2

Decision

The application is deemed approved by administrative silence if no decision is issued within the statutory period.

20 days
STEP 3

Visa (if applicable)

To be applied for at the relevant Consulate if the professional is outside Spain.

Within 1 month of notification
3
4
STEP 4

Entry, Social Security registration and TIE

Entry within the validity period of the visa; TIE required when the residence authorization exceeds 6 months.

Within 1 month of Social Security registration
STEP 5

Renewal

For 2-year periods, provided the conditions that gave rise to the entitlement continue to be met.

60 days before / up to 90 days after
5
1
STEP 1

Preparation and submission

Application submitted exclusively online to the UGE-CE, by the company or the professional.

2
STEP 2

Decision

The application is deemed approved by administrative silence if no decision is issued within the statutory period.

20 days
3
STEP 3

Visa (if applicable)

To be applied for at the relevant Consulate if the professional is outside Spain.

Within 1 month of notification
4
STEP 4

Entry, Social Security registration and TIE

Entry within the validity period of the visa; TIE required when the residence authorization exceeds 6 months.

Within 1 month of Social Security registration
5
STEP 5

Renewal

For 2-year periods, provided the conditions that gave rise to the entitlement continue to be met.

60 days before / up to 90 days after

Why Seegman

One case file, one single team

When the EU citizen’s and the family member’s relocation coincide in time, coordinating both procedures is key. We manage both files in parallel, from the same team.

Family-focused approach

We integrate the EU citizen and their family members into the same strategy and timeline, avoiding uncoordinated applications.

End to end

We support you from municipal registration through to collecting the TIE, once in Spain.

Shall we discuss your case?

Book a consultation.