Residence for family members of EU citizens can be obtained through an administrative procedure processed in Spain. Are you a European and thinking of moving to Spain? At A&O Abogados, your law firm on the Costa del Sol, we explain how.
The right to free movement within the European Union (EU) is one of the fundamental rights of European citizens, and this right also extends to their family members and is materialized with residence for family members of EU citizens. If you are a family member of an EU citizen and wish to move to an EU Member State to live there, you can apply for a residence permit as a “family member of an EU citizen”. In this blog, we will explain how A&O Abogados, your immigration law firm in Marbella, can help you apply for this permit and what are the benefits of hiring a lawyer specialized in this topic.
Firstly, it is important to understand that the procedures for applying for residence as a family member of an EU citizen may vary depending on the Member State in which you wish to reside. Additionally, the process may also depend on the type of family member you are.
Family members eligible to apply for a residence permit as a family member of an EU citizen include spouses, registered partners, minor and adult children who are economically dependent on the EU citizen, parents and grandparents who are economically dependent on the EU citizen, and members of the extended family (such as siblings, uncles, nephews and cousins) in certain cases. It is important to note that the EU citizen must be an active citizen of the EU and exercise their right to free movement within the EU for their family members to be eligible to apply for a residence permit as a family member of an EU citizen.
If you want to obtain residence for family members of EU citizens, you must meet a series of requirements. Requirements to apply for a residence permit as a family member of an EU citizen
- Family relationship: To be able to apply for a residence permit as a family member of an EU citizen, you must demonstrate that you have a family relationship with an EU citizen. This can be done by presenting documents such as a marriage certificate, a birth certificate or a document that certifies the relationship as a registered partner.
- Economic dependence: If you are an adult, you must demonstrate that you are economically dependent on the EU citizen. This can be done by presenting documents that demonstrate economic dependence, such as bank statements, bills and income proof.
- Identity document: You must have a valid passport and, if necessary, a visa to enter the EU Member State in which you wish to reside.
- Medical insurance: You must have valid medical insurance that covers all risks in the EU Member State in which you wish to reside.
- Not posing a threat to public security: You must meet the requirements of public security and not have a criminal record in any EU Member State.
The process of applying for a residence permit as a family member of an EU citizen may vary depending on the EU Member State in which you wish to reside. In general, you can apply for the residence permit at the embassy or consulate of the EU Member State in your country of origin or, in some cases, in the EU Member State where you currently reside.
You must submit a complete application and provide all necessary documents. You must also pay an application fee, which may vary depending on the EU Member State in which you apply for the residence permit.
Once the application has been submitted, the EU Member State has a period of three months to make a decision on your application. If the application is accepted, you will be granted a residence permit valid for at least five years.
At A&O Abogados, our lawyers specialized in EU law and in applications for residence permits for family members of EU citizens can help you navigate the process and understand the specific requirements for moving to live in Spain.
A&O Abogados (www.andradesortegaabogados.es) can guide you through the necessary documents that must be submitted with the application, and can assist you in submitting the application to the relevant authorities.
In addition, we can represent you in case your application is rejected or you encounter problems during the process. In some cases, the refusal to grant a residence permit may be due to a lack of understanding by the authorities about EU legislation and your rights as a family member of an EU citizen. In these cases, a specialized lawyer can provide legal advice and representation in the appeal process.
Another benefit of hiring us is that at A&O Abogados, your immigration office in Marbella, we will ensure that important deadlines are met. Submitting your application within the established deadlines is essential for your application to be considered. A specialized lawyer in this type of residence permits can ensure that deadlines are met and that all necessary documents are submitted before the deadline.
In some cases, legal assistance can be particularly valuable if there are exceptional circumstances, such as the fact that your application must be processed quickly due to an emergency or humanitarian reasons. In these cases, a specialized lawyer can provide quick and effective legal assistance to help you obtain your residence permit as soon as possible.
Do you want to live in Spain but do not know the language and bureaucracy makes it especially difficult to face the application? Do you want to be served with the highest levels of excellence? At A&O Abogados, we will guide you and make your process much easier. Call us now.
Finally, the immigration law may be of interest to you https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-2000-544. Similarly, we encourage you to read another of our blogs that can help you as a foreigner in Spain https://andradesortegaabogados.es/index.php/2022/10/29/los-derechos-del-detenido-extranjero-en-espana/.
