Family arraigo for other EU citizens: requirements

The family arraigo under the current regulation concerns specific ties with citizens of other EU Member States, the European Economic Area or Switzerland. If your relative is Spanish, review the specific authorisation for family members of Spanish nationals.

Who can apply for family arraigo?

There are two cases. The first is being the parent or guardian of a minor who is a national of another EU Member State, the EEA or Switzerland, being in Spain, having the child in your care and living with them or fulfilling parental obligations.

The second concerns a relative supporting a person with a disability of those nationalities in exercising their legal capacity, having them in their care and living with them. Kinship, support needs and cohabitation must be proved; friendship or occasional help is insufficient.

Are two years in Spain required?

Family arraigo has no minimum stay requirement. The remaining applicable general conditions still apply: presence in Spain, criminal records, public order, entry bans, the fee, and conditions relating to international protection and stay or residence authorisations and procedures.

The absence of a two-year requirement does not mean any relative can apply. First check the nationality of the minor or supported person and the precise legal case.

Documents for family arraigo

• EX-10, a complete valid passport and proof of fee payment.
• Evidence of your relative’s EU, EEA or Swiss nationality.
• Birth certificate, guardianship or kinship documents as applicable.
• Evidence of cohabitation, dependency, care or parental obligations.
• Documents concerning disability and support where applying on that basis.
• Foreign criminal record certificates where required and other general documents.

In cases of separation, shared custody or disputed failures to fulfil obligations, review judgments and agreements. Clear evidence of compliance is preferable to unsupported statements. Foreign public documents may need apostille or legalisation and translation unless an exemption applies.

Application and effects of authorisation

Apply to the Immigration Office responsible for your address. Keep the submission receipt and monitor notifications. Approval is valid for five years and includes permission for employed and self-employed work under the terms of the regulation.

Then apply personally for the TIE within the applicable deadline. Do not confuse the residence decision with the physical card or assume that submitting the application already permits work.

Family arraigo or family member of a Spanish national

Being the parent of a Spanish minor, a Spanish national’s partner or the child of a Spanish national by origin may fall under the authorisation for family members of Spanish nationals. Distinguishing the routes avoids using inappropriate forms or requirements. TRALIF checks the relationship and nationality before preparing documents.