In short: a non-EU foreign national with a family link to a Spanish citizen can apply for the temporary residence authorisation as a family member of a Spanish national (RD 1155/2024, Chapter VII, arts. 93-97); it allows you to live and work and is granted for 5 years. It is its own route, separate from general reunification and from the EU regime.
In person or by representative? Mixed procedure: the application may be filed in person or through a representative using the official form, at the Oficina de Extranjería (art. 97.2). Later there are usually in-person steps for the foreign relative (visa at the consulate, fingerprints and TIE collection). By default prepare for personal appearance and check at inclusion.gob.es.
Don't confuse them — three different family routes:
- Family member of a SPANIARD (this card): the person granting the right is a Spanish citizen. RD 1155/2024, Ch. VII; form EX-24.
- Family reunification (general regime): the sponsor is a foreigner with legal residence. RD 1155/2024, general regime; form EX-02. → see family reunification card.
- Family member of an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen (EU regime): the relative is from another EU country, not Spanish. RD 240/2007; form EX-19. → see EU family member card.
Who can apply (relatives of the Spaniard, provided they live or will live together; art. 94.1):
- Spouse over 18 (no annulment/divorce, no fraud of law; only one spouse).
- Registered partner in an EU/EEA/Swiss public registry, or a proven stable partner (marriage-like cohabitation of at least 12 continuous months; not required if there are common children).
- Children (own or the spouse's/partner's) under 26, or older if dependent, or with a disability needing support; unmarried and without their own family unit.
- Direct first-degree ascendants (own or the spouse's/partner's) who are dependent and without family support in the country of origin, or on humanitarian grounds.
- Parent/guardian of a Spanish minor in their care and living with them.
- One relative up to the 2nd degree who will provide care to a Spaniard with a recognised dependency level (Ley 39/2006).
- Children whose father or mother is or was Spanish by origin.
- Other dependent relatives duly proven.
Specific documents (art. 96 — the official list; it may be broader depending on the case, check the source):
- For the Spanish relative: full copy of a valid passport or DNI; for spouse/partner, a sworn statement that no other spouse or partner lives with them in Spain.
- For the foreign relative: full copy of a valid passport or travel document; documents proving the family link; where required, documents proving they are dependent on the Spaniard; for a stable partner, proof of the relationship and cohabitation time (and, where applicable, birth certificate of common children).
It is filed with the official form EX-24 ("Autorización de residencia temporal de familiares de personas con nacionalidad española"), available at general models (inclusion.gob.es).
Steps:
- Gather the art. 96 documents (passport/DNI, proof of the link, and proof of dependency if applicable) and fill in form EX-24 (general models).
- File the application at the provincial Oficina de Extranjería (in person or through a representative). Depending on the case it is filed by the Spaniard (if the foreigner is abroad) or by the foreigner (art. 97).
- If granted and the relative is abroad, apply for the visa at the Spanish consular office.
- After entry/grant, complete the foreign relative's in-person steps (fingerprints and TIE collection).
Official source: RD 1155/2024 — Immigration Regulation (Ch. VII, arts. 93-97) and form EX-24 / general models (inclusion.gob.es).
Informational only; the exact documents and steps vary by case — check the official source and a professional for your specific case.