Family members of citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland, including family members of Spanish citizens, are entitled to a free preferential visa for family members of EU citizens, provided they are traveling with or joining the European Union, EEA, or Swiss citizen. This visa should not be confused with the residence visa for family members of Spanish nationals.
Third-country nationals included in Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 require a Schengen visa for stays of up to 90 days (in any 180-day period).
Eligible family members
The following may obtain a visa as family members of an EU citizen:
- A spouse, provided there has been no annulment or divorce.
- A registered partner in a Member State of the European Union, the EEA, or Switzerland, provided that the registered partnership has not been legally dissolved. Direct descendants of the EU citizen or their spouse or registered civil partner (provided there has been no annulment, divorce, or deregistration) under 21 years of age, and over that age if they are dependent or have a disability.
- Direct ancestors of the EU citizen or their spouse or registered civil partner (provided there has been no annulment, divorce, or deregistration) who are dependent on them.
- Relatives other than those mentioned above who, in their country of origin, live with the EU citizen or are dependent on them.
- Exceptionally, other relatives when, due to serious health or disability reasons, their personal care is strictly required by the EU citizen.
- Unregistered civil partners, provided that stable cohabitation for a minimum period of one year is duly accredited. If they have children together, accreditation of stable cohabitation will be sufficient.
The visa for family members of EU citizens allows the holder to remain in the Schengen area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. It also allows transit through the territory and airports.
Family members of EU citizens who wish to remain in Spain beyond the 90-day period must, once in Spain, apply to the competent authorities for a temporary residence permit for family members of Spanish nationals.
Required documents
- Schengen visa application form (opens in new window): Each applicant must complete and sign an official application form, completing each section. If the applicant is a minor, one of their parents must sign the application.
- Photograph: Recent, passport-sized, color photograph, taken against a light background, frontally, without dark or reflective glasses, or any clothing that obscures the facial contours. Photographs of minors must not show any part of the adult holding them.
- Valid passport: Original and photocopy of the passport page(s) containing biometric data. The passport must be valid for at least three months from the planned date of departure from the Schengen area. It must also contain at least two blank pages. Passports issued more than 10 years ago will not be accepted. 4. Documents proving kinship with a citizen of the European Union, a European Economic Area State, or Switzerland: Certificates from the Civil Registry (birth or marriage, as applicable), certificate of registration as a civil partnership, or any other document proving cohabitation similar to marriage.
- In the case of descendants over 21 years of age, ascendants, or other relatives, documents proving their care for a citizen of the European Union, a European Economic Area State, or Switzerland, or, where applicable, their health status.
- Documents proving that the applicant is traveling with a citizen of the European Union, a European Economic Area State, or Switzerland, or that they are en route to join them.
- Proof of residence at the consular district.
When necessary to evaluate the application, the Consular Office may request additional documents or information, as well as request a personal interview with the applicant.
Only applications that meet the requirements specified in sections 1, 2, and 3 will be accepted.
The visa is free of charge, but if applied for voluntarily at a Visa Application Center, a fee equivalent to €15.45 will be applied for the services provided.
Procedure
Consular Offices are competent to accept visa applications from third-country nationals residing in the consular district who are traveling to Spain as their main destination.
Who may apply for a visa: Applications must be submitted in person. If the applicant is a minor, the application must be submitted by their legal representatives.
Place of submission: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation.
Common Problems
A common reason for rejection is that the application is evaluated within an inadequate legal framework. Instead of applying EU law, embassies sometimes evaluate the application as if it were a standard tourist visa. This can lead to unjustified rejection, for example, due to the lack of a hotel reservation or proof of ties to the country of origin, requirements that do not apply to facilitation visas.
