Applies to: National and EU family regimes; relationship, location and dependency rules differ.
Before you start
- Identity and nationality evidence for both people.
- Marriage, partnership, birth or other relationship records.
- Dependency, care or cohabitation evidence where required.
- Foreign-document authentication and translations as applicable.
The steps
Identify the sponsor regime
A relative of a Spanish national is not automatically processed the same way as a relative of another EU/EEA/Swiss citizen.
Check the current Spanish-family route
The Ministry’s Spanish-national family procedure uses EX-24 for covered cases. Old articles calling all Spanish-family cases arraigo familiar should not be used as a universal checklist.
Check EU free-movement cases
Qualifying family of an EU citizen uses the EU framework and relevant card procedure. Spanish sponsors who exercised free movement can involve a different analysis.
Verify the relationship category
A spouse, registered partner, durable partner, child, dependent parent and carer are not interchangeable categories. Gather the evidence for your actual relationship.
Confirm where the application begins
Whether the sponsor or applicant is in Spain changes the permitted filing/visa sequence. Check the category before applying from abroad or travelling.
Follow the decision through
Read any right-to-work conditions and complete the appropriate card step. Keep the relationship evidence and decision together.
Important details
Civil status is separate
Registering a partnership or marrying does not itself issue a residence card.
Complex cases
Dependency, separation, death of a sponsor and prior immigration decisions need individual assessment. Do not rely on a friend’s successful route as proof yours is identical.
See the bigger picture
Pair these practical steps with the Spain-wide essentials.
Sources & next steps
Reviewed 30 September 2026. This independent guide provides general information. Requirements, fees and office arrangements can change; the responsible authority’s current instructions control your application. Commercial service links explain products, not official rules.