From the Spanish relative
A full copy of their valid Spanish ID card (DNI) or passport and, if you are their partner, a statement that no other spouse or partner lives with them in Spain.
Family members of Spanish citizens
Residence as a family member of a Spanish citizen: EX-24, filed on the right route
Since May 2025, family members of Spanish citizens have their own residence route, separate from the EU family card. We check which regime applies, whether you can apply without leaving Spain, and prepare the file.
Constanza Rossi Vibbot
Licensed lawyer ICAB no. 49.586 · Immigration
Online service · All of Spain and abroad
Book an online review · €35
We review your case and, if it fits, offer the full service from €290 + VAT. If you hire it, the €35 are deducted.
I prefer to ask on WhatsAppWho this is for
- You are the spouse or partner of a Spanish citizen, over 18. If not registered, with 12 months of cohabitation or children together.
- You are a child of the Spanish citizen or their partner, under 26, or older and dependent or with a disability.
- You are a dependent parent or parent-in-law with no family support at home or on humanitarian grounds, or the parent or guardian of a Spanish minor.
- You are the one relative (up to second degree) caring for a Spanish citizen with recognised dependency, the child of a Spanish citizen by origin, or another relative who proves dependency.
What we do
- We check whether EX-24 or EX-19 applies: having Spanish family does not automatically put you on the EU card route.
- We see whether you can file from Spain: the April 2026 reform opened this to almost every category.
- We gather the proof of relationship, cohabitation, or dependency your category requires.
- We check translations and apostilles, prepare Form EX-24 (modelo EX-24), and answer requests for documents.
- Once granted, we prepare your foreigner identity card (tarjeta de identidad de extranjero, TIE).
Usual documents
Yours
Form EX-24, a valid passport, and the document proving the relationship: marriage, partnership, birth.
Depending on your category
If you are an unregistered couple, proof of cohabitation and its length. If you qualify as a dependant, financial dependency. If you apply from abroad and are of criminal age, proof of no criminal record in the countries where you lived in the last five years.
What is not required
The Spanish citizen does not have to prove employment, financial means, or health insurance, unlike the EU regime.
Mistakes that trigger requests for documents
EX-19 because the relative is Spanish
EX-19 only applies if your Spanish relative has exercised EU free movement. Otherwise, EX-24 applies.
Information from before 2026
Older guides and information sheets limit who can apply from Spain. The current text is broader.
Partnership without the 12 months
Claiming a stable partnership without proving 12 continuous months of cohabitation, unless you have children together.
Incomplete evidence or formalities
Dependency, kinship, or civil status without material proof, or certificates without translation or apostille.
Scope, quote, and next steps
- The service starts from €290 + VAT; the final quote depends on your category and the documents to obtain.
- Fees, sworn translations, apostilles, and legalisations are not included unless the quote says so.
- The Administration decides: approval and timing cannot be guaranteed. We do not sell public appointments.
Want to know if you can apply without leaving Spain?
We review your category, where you are, and which documents you have. If it fits, we give you the full-service quote before you decide.
Spanish citizen family residence: FAQ
How is it different from the EU citizen family card?
Residence for family members of Spanish citizens (residencia de familiar de persona con nacionalidad española) is in Articles 93 to 99 of the Immigration Regulation (Royal Decree 1155/2024), in force since 20 May 2025, and uses EX-24. The EU card is governed by Royal Decree 240/2007 and uses EX-19; for a Spanish citizen’s relative it applies only if the Spanish citizen has exercised free movement.
Can I apply while in Spain as a visitor or with irregular status?
If you and the Spanish citizen are both in Spain, every category except other dependent relatives can apply from here. For this route, the regulation waives the requirement of not being in irregular status (Art. 38.b).
Can I work while the application is pending?
If you file in Spain, once the application is admitted for processing (admitida a trámite) you are provisionally authorised to reside and work as an employee or self-employed until the decision. Once granted, you can work with no further procedure.
How long does it last and what does the card cost?
Five years, or less if your Spanish relative plans to reside for less time. If you apply from Spain it runs from approval; from abroad, from your entry into Spain. The application is free; the TIE fee is currently €12 with form 790, code 012 (modelo 790, código 012).
What is the legal decision period?
Two months to decide and notify. If they pass without an answer, the silence is negative (silencio desestimatorio). This is the legal period, not a forecast for your case.
What happens after divorce or if my Spanish relative dies?
If they die and you already held the authorisation and lived in Spain, you keep it but must report it within six months. After a breakup you may keep it, among other cases, because of the length of the relationship (three years, one in Spain), custody of or access to the children, or in situations of violence or trafficking. Unregistered partners and other dependent relatives need the applicable route reviewed.
How is it different from family reunification?
Family reunification (reagrupación familiar) is for relatives of a foreign resident: it uses EX-02 and requires resources (as a rule, 150% of IPREM for two people plus 50% per extra member), housing, and insurance. Reunited parents must also, as a rule, be over 65, save for humanitarian reasons; residence as a Spanish citizen’s relative has no such age limit.
Can the service be handled online?
The review, document preparation, and filing can be done online. Fingerprinting for the card is in person: we explain when and how to book it.
Useful links to prepare your case better
EU citizen family card (EX-19)
If your relative is from another EU country, or is Spanish and has exercised free movement.
Family reunification
If the person living in Spain is a non-EU foreigner.
Spanish nationality
Marrying a Spanish citizen reduces the required residence to one year.
TIE service
Issuing and renewing foreigner identity cards.
Official sources for verification
We verify procedural information against primary sources. Always check the current official information before filing.