EU family member card for registered partners: documents step by step

If you live with a citizen of the European Union (or of Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein) but you are not married, the EU family member card as a registered partner is the route that allows you to reside and work in Spain legally. Unlike marriage, here the key lies in correctly proving the relationship: without the right documents, the application may be refused even if you genuinely live together. In this guide we explain, step by step, what papers you need and how to prepare them.

What the family member of an EU citizen card is

It is the residence authorisation that corresponds to family members of EU/EEA citizens and Switzerland. It is processed under the so-called EU regime (regimen comunitario), governed by Royal Decree 240/2007, a framework that is different from and generally more favourable than the general immigration regime of RD 1155/2024. That is why it is best not to confuse this card with the arraigo (roots-based residence) or ordinary reunification authorisations.

If your partner is Spanish or from a third country, this route does not apply: in that case the usual option is family reunification under the general regime, which is governed by the new regulation.

Requirements for the EU family member card as a registered partner

To access the EU family member card as a registered partner you must meet, for general guidance, these requirements:

• Link with the EU citizen: your partner must be a citizen of an EU/EEA Member State or of Switzerland and be exercising their right of free movement by residing in Spain.
• Proven stable union: the strongest option is a registered partnership recorded in a public register (regional or municipal). Where there is no registration, you can try to prove a stable and lasting relationship, but the assessment is stricter and more discretionary.
• Not being married or having another registered partner: neither you nor the EU citizen may have a marriage bond or a registered union with another person.
• Means and, where applicable, insurance: depending on the EU citizen's situation (worker, self-employed, student or inactive), you may be required to prove sufficient financial resources and health insurance.

Documents needed for the application

Documents are the point where most applications get stuck. Prepare these papers and, if they come from abroad, bear in mind that they usually need a sworn translation and legalisation or apostille:

Documents of the applicant (non-EU partner)

• Full valid passport.
• Official application form (form EX-19) duly completed.
• Proof of payment of the fee (form 790, code 012).
• Two recent passport-size photographs.

Documents of the couple's relationship

• Certificate of registration in a registered-partnership register, or documents proving a stable and lasting relationship (for example, prolonged joint empadronamiento (municipal registration), shared accounts or contracts, children in common).
• Proof of prior cohabitation when the register requires it.

Documents of the EU citizen

• National identity document or valid passport.
• EU citizen registration certificate (the green certificate) or the application for it.
• Proof of their situation: contract or work-life history report if they are a worker, self-employed registration, or financial means and health insurance if they are a student or inactive.

How and where to file the application

The application (form EX-19) is filed at the Immigration Office or police station corresponding to your address, with a prior appointment. The general deadline to apply for the card is within three months of entry or of when the right arises. After a favourable decision, you will be issued the Foreigner Identity Card (TIE) that records this residence; if you have doubts about that physical document, it may help to read the difference between NIE and TIE.

You can review all the details of this route in our page on the family member of an EU citizen card.

Common mistakes that lead to refusals

• Presenting a relationship with no registration and no solid evidence of stability.
• Foreign documents without a sworn translation, apostille or legalisation.
• Registered-partnership certificates that have expired or come from a register not valid for these purposes.
• Failing to prove the EU citizen's situation (work, means or insurance).

Frequently asked questions

Does any registered-partnership register work?

The safest option is registration in an official public register (regional or municipal). Not all have the same requirements, and the Administration assesses whether the union is comparable to marriage and is properly documented.

Can I apply without being registered as a partnership?

It is possible to try to prove a stable and lasting relationship with other evidence, but the assessment is stricter and at the Administration's discretion. Registration greatly reduces the risk of refusal.

Does the EU family member card as a registered partner allow me to work?

Yes. This residence under the EU regime allows you to work as an employee or self-employed in Spain, without needing an additional work authorisation.

How long does the decision take?

The maximum legal time for a decision is three months. In practice, times vary depending on the Immigration Office and the workload of each province.

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Disclaimer: this guide is purely for general guidance and does not replace individual legal advice. The family member of an EU citizen card is governed by the EU regime (RD 240/2007), which is different from the general regime of RD 1155/2024. Before filing your application, check the updated requirements with the competent Immigration Office or a registered professional.