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European Union Citizens

Necessary Papers (EU citizens)

EU citizen entry is regulated by the Schengen Treaty which made it possible to build a common area of free movement among the members States with the elimination of border controls.

Schengen Treaty

  • Stay more than three months with a family residence card of Non-EU Citizen

    The members of the family of a citizen of a Member State of the European Union or a State party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, including the scope of Royal Decree 240/2007 of 16 February who are not nationals of one of these States, when accompany or join them, will be able to stay more than 3 months provided to the obligation to request and obtain a Residence card for family members of Union citizens.
    The application for a residence card for family members of Union citizens must be submitted personally by the family within three months from the date of entry in Spain in the Foreign Office of the province where the applicant intends to stay or set the residence or, failing that, to the local Police Station.
    Along with the application form EX-19 (it is available in the website of the Spanish Ministry of Internal Affairs: EX-19 ) of the family residence card of citizen of the Union, duly completed and signed by the family of a Union citizen, shall present the following documentation:
    • Original and a copy of passport valid and in full force. If expired, a copy of this and of the renewal application.
    • Proof of the existence of family ties.
    • Copy of certificate of registration of Union citizens who are accompanying or going to meet, presented together with the passport or identity card. In the case that the right derived from a Spanish citizen, the ID card will be required to verify the identity electronically.
    • Three recent photographs in color, white background, passport size.
    • Fees for the amount stipulated by law.

  • Stay less than three months

    The documentation required to travel to Spain varies according to the country of origin.
    If you are a citizen of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein you will need:
    • A valid passport or ID card. In the case of a minor travelling with an ID document, this must be accompanied by written permission from the parents.
    • The family members who are not nationals of a member state of EU or to the European Economic Area will make its entry with a valid passport and with valid entry visa. The issue of such visas will be free and take priority processing when accompanying an EU citizen.
    • Justification of purpose and conditions of the stay, and accreditation of sufficient economic means of support for the duration of the stay in Spain.

  • Stay more than three months

    The citizens of a Member State of the EU or another State party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area are entitled to reside in Spain for a period exceeding three months if they are in any of the following assumptions:
    • Employees or self-employed in Spain.
    • They are enrolled in a public or private institution accredited or financed by the education authorities with the main purpose of study and has health insurance covering risks in Spain.
    • Also ensure they have sufficient resources for themselves and family members.
    • Family members accompanying or going to meet with a citizen of a member state of the European Union or another State party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area that meets the conditions specified in any of the above.
    Interested parties are obliged to apply personally at the Immigration Bureau of the province if they want to stay or obtain the residence. If that is not possible the interested parties will have to apply to the Police Station, registered at the Central Registry of Foreigners.
    The application (EX-18) must be done within three months from the date of entry in Spain and immediately the applicator will receive a registration certificate which shall contain: the name, nationality, address, the ID number and the date of registration.
    In regard to economic means, you cannot set a fixed amount, but should take into account the personal situation of nationals of a Member State of the European Union or another State party to the Agreement on the European Economic Europe.

Important Note

All non-EU public documents must be previously legalized and, if necessary, must be translated into Spanish or official language of the territory where the application is submitted.
For information on this subject, consult Spanish Government

EU Countries

Non-EU Countries


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