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VISAS

Q&A: Can EU nationals bring non-EU family members over to Spain?

If you're an EU national living in or wanting to move to Spain, find out if you can bring a non-EU family member to live with you. Here, we answer some of the most common questions surrounding the process.

Published: 20 September 2021 18:54 CEST
Updated: 18 April 2023 15:07 CEST
Q&A: Can EU nationals bring non-EU family members over to Spain?
Can EU nationals bring non-EU nationals with them to live in Spain? Photo: Brad Dorsey / Pixabay

Yes, there is an option for EU nationals to bring non-EU family members to Spain. The main way is by applying for a residence card of a family member of a European Union citizen or tarjeta de residencia de familiar comunitario. Here are some of the most common questions about the card and their answers. 

What is the residence card of a family member of a European Union citizen?

The residence card of a family member of an EU citizen allows the relative of an EU citizen to come and live with them in the EU. 

Who is eligible?

  • The spouse of an EU national (you must be able to provide a valid marriage certificate)
  • Unmarried partners, providing you can provide proof that you are in a long-term stable relationship and have been living together for some time (usually one or two years, but depends on circumstances). This could be a pareja de hecho in Spain, instead of a marriage.
  • Dependent children of an EU national under 21 years old (you must be able to provide a valid birth certificate)
  • Dependent parents of an EU national (proof must be provided of your relationship and that they are dependent on you)
  • Any other dependent relatives (proof must be provided that they cannot look after themselves and are financially dependent on you).
  • Be aware, you will also need to prove you have the financial means to support your relatives.

READ ALSO: Civil union or marriage in Spain: which one is better?

What benefits does the residence card offer?

  • The ability for your family member to live in Spain with you
  • The right for your family member to work in Spain under the same conditions as other EU citizens
  • The ability to enter and leave Spain and travel to other countries within the EU
  • However, the card does not give you the right to live in any EU country, only in the country you applied for it in – in this case, Spain.

When must it be applied for?

The card must be applied for during the first three months of your relative arriving in Spain to able to continue living here.  

How long is the process to get an EU residency card?

The Spanish authorities should make their decision to issue your family member with a residency card within six months. It may be quicker than this, but you should expect around a six-month waiting period. While your family member is in Spain however they cannot be expelled from the country while the application is in progress.

What if my application is rejected?

If your residency application is rejected, then the Spanish authorities will let you know in writing, giving a reason why. They will also let you know what you must do to appeal the decision and when it must be done by.

How long is the card valid for?  

The initial residency card will be valid for five years. You can then renew this for a permanent 10-year residency card. After this, your card will need to be renewed every 10 years.

Will I lose my Spanish residency if I get divorced?

If you obtained your Spanish nationality on the basis that you were married to an EU national, then you may wonder what will happen to your residency rights if you get divorced or decide to break up.

The good news is that you will not lose your residency card as long as you have lived with your partner for at least three years and at least one of those has been in Spain.

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BARCELONA

The most affordable areas to live in and around Barcelona

It’s well known that Barcelona is one of the most expensive cities to live in Spain, and becoming more and more costly every year. There are however still areas that are much more affordable than others in 2024, writes Barcelona-based Esme Fox.

Published: 6 May 2024 12:19 CEST
The most affordable areas to live in and around Barcelona

The average rental price in Barcelona now, according to property portal Idealista, is €21.1 / m2 which will set you back around €1,235 per month. And if you want to buy somewhere, you’ll be paying an average of €4,317 /m2.

So are there still any affordable areas left to live in around the city? The good news is that there definitely are, even within a 20-30 minute journey of the very centre.

The bad news, however, is that while some of them are nice spots away from the tourist zones, several of them are cheaper because they’re undesirable, unattractive or have social issues with relatively high crime rates.

We’ve listed 10 of the most affordable neighbourhoods in and around the city, what you can expect from them, which places are the best and which are best avoided.

Santa Coloma de Gramenet

Santa Coloma lies just to the northeast of Barcelona across the River Besòs and is actually considered a separate town, even though it’s on the Barcelona metro system and has very good connections with the city. It is in fact one of the cheapest places to live if you want to be within striking distance of Barcelona with the average price to buy just around €1.965 /m2 according to property giant Idealista and rent around 14,3 €/m2.

It’s a relatively safe area compared to many of the cheapest in and around Barcelona and has a very multicultural population, as well as close proximity to big superstores such as Ikea and DIY specialist Leroy Merlin.

Badalona

Badalona is another separate town that lies to the east of Barcelona and is probably one of the best options on the list. In recent years a wave of young professionals and families have moved here, having been priced out of Barcelona itself. The main advantage of living here is that you have an excellent beach, plus lots of attractive-looking houses and good restaurants surrounding it, at a fraction of the price for what you’d pay in Barceloneta or Poblenou. The best spots are near the beachfront, while the northern part of the neighbourhood doesn’t have the nicest feel to it. 

According to Idealista you’d pay an average of €14.4 / m2, which would be around €1,152 per month for an apartment of 80m2. And if you want to buy somewhere, it would set you back €2,162 / m2.

Sant Adrià de Besòs

Sant Adrià de Besòs is the neighbourhood which lies between Barcelona and Badalona, straddling the mouth of the River Besòs. The main benefit of living here is that you’re within easy distance of the river and the large green park that sits either side of it, perfect for cycling, rolling blading and numerous other sports. While some spots are ok to live, the main problem, however, is that you really have to know where to look and where to avoid.

For example, La Mina is part of Sant Adrià de Besòs, one of Barcelona’s most dangerous areas with a relatively high crime rate and lots of social issues such as drugs. And don’t be fooled by the fact that it’s a cheap area near the beach. There’s a reason for this, the beach located here lies right in front of the Les Tres Xemeneies (The Three Chimneys) an old factory and is often quite polluted and smells, so it’s not ideal for swimming. For rent the average price is around €14 / m2, while to buy you’ll pay around €2,343 / m2.

Ciutat Meridiana

Ciutat Meridiana is one of the least-well known neighbouhoods on the list because it lies right at the very northeastern corner of the city above Trinitat Vella and Torre Baró areas. Technically it’s part of the wider Nou Barris district and takes its name from the big Meridiana Avenue, one of the main roads that comes into the city from the north.

The area is definitely not the best looking, with mainly 80s-style town blocks and council-type estates, but it’s not particularly dodgy or dangerous. Live here and you’ll be treated to excellent city views, however, plus be located close to the green Collserola Natural Park, a great hiking spot.

Many of the most affordable areas are in the northeast of the city near the Collserola Natural Park. Photo: Carlos Pernalete Tua / Pexels
 

El Bon Pastor

Bon Pastor extends from the village-like barrio of Sant Andreu de Palomar all the way to the River Besòs and the very edge of the city. It’s home to places such as the Westfield Maquinista shopping mall, one of the best in Barcelona, as well as many car showrooms and lots of big warehouses with a kind of industrial vibe. It’s a relatively safe area, even though it’s not one of the most attractive. The average price to rent an apartment here costs around €601.40 and to buy it’s €2.312 / m2.  

Trinitat Nova

La Trinitat Nova is located in the larger district of Nou Barris in the northeastern corner of the city. It sits to the left of the big Avinguda Meridiana and borders the Collserola Natural Park along the western edge. It’s not particularly a dodgy place to live, but it doesn’t best vibe and the edge along the Collserola does have a small shanty town. Its advantages, however, are that it’s well connected to the city. Taking the yellow line, you can be in the centre of Barcelona in just over 20 minutes. Rent costs an average of €662,3 per month and to buy you’ll pay €2,113 / m2.

Trinitat Vella

La Trinitat Vella sits to the right of Trinitat Nova, directly above the neighbourhood of Sant Andreu de Palomar. It has a similar feel to Trinitat Nova too, but does have the benefit of being located around the large Trinitat Vella park. Built around the top of a hill, it features a large lake, as well as grassy meadows and forested areas. There are also basketball courts and even a model racing car track. The average rental price here costs €674,7 per month and to buy you’ll pay around €2,386 / m2.

Roquetes

Located in the larger district of Nou Barris, Roquetes lies to the west of Trinitat Nova, along the edge of the Collserola. It’s characterised by steep streets and high-rise tower blocks. Again like some of the others above it’s not a pretty neighbourhood with a lot going on, but it’s not particularly dodgy or dangerous either. It’s ideal for those who love hiking, being so close to the natural park and many of its best trails, so you won’t even need to take public transport before you’re in the heart of nature. To rent here will cost you around €728.70 and the average cost to buy is €2,113 / m2.

El Carmel 

El Carmel lies more to the northern central part of the city within the municipality of Horta-Guinardó, stretching north from Gaudí’s Parc Güell and Parc del Guinardó up to Horta. It too is characterised by very steep streets and has a chilled residential atmosphere. While the centre of the neighbourhood is nothing to write home about, the southern part lies within walking distance to two of the city’s best parks and the northern part is situated close to the lovely, leafy village-like barrio of Horta, great for families. Living here will set you back an average of €769 to rent and €3,170 / m2 to buy. 

Verdun

Verdun is a small area compared to many of the others and sits right below Roquetas until it meets Via Júlia. It’s mostly residential and is also relatively safe. The nicest part is centred around Via Júlia which is like the area’s own Rambla, lined with many shops and cafes. Renting here will cost you an average of €770 and €2,386 / m2 to buy, being located within Nou Barris.

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