What your EU citizen relative must show first in Spain

Terms used

• alta — An alta is the registration of a new person, or a change adding them, at an address.
• autónomo — An autónomo is a self-employed worker registered with Spanish social security and the tax agency.
• IPREM — The IPREM is the public income index Spain uses to set limits for benefits and aid: €600 a month in 2025.

Key rules

• Register early: Your relative should hold their registration certificate by the time you file, which must be within 3 months of your arrival; if it is not ready, file anyway and the application waits.
• Funds and insurance: A relative who does not work must show means and health cover for you both.
• Students: A student relative covers only a spouse or registered partner and dependent children, not parents.

Your relative must be registered

An EU citizen who stays more than 3 months registers and receives a registration certificate (Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión) from the Registro Central de Extranjeros; Registering as an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen covers how. An unregistered relative cannot prove their status, so the office holds your application until they do.

Which category fits your relative

Your relative must fit one of four categories:

• Employee: works in Spain for an employer.
• Self-employed: works in Spain on their own account, registered as an autónomo.
• Not working: has enough money not to become a burden on Spain's social assistance. The guide is the IPREM plus 50% for each extra family member, so a couple needs €900 a month.
• Student: is enrolled at an accredited or publicly funded centre in Spain, with health insurance and enough money.

Health insurance

The cover can be public or private; a private policy should come from an insurer authorised in Spain, and offices usually expect no co-payments or waiting periods. Pensioners can use an S1 form, or other EU cover that Spain recognises. Workers and the self-employed are covered through social security.

Documents you need

• If your EU relative is an employee: their employment contract or a letter from the employer, proof of social security registration (alta) and recent payslips if requested.
• If your EU relative is self-employed: proof of registration in the autónomos regime (RETA), proof of tax registration (alta en Hacienda) and evidence that they carry out the activity.
• If your EU relative does not work: bank statements, pension certificates, or income, property or savings documents showing enough money for the whole family.
• If your EU relative is a student: proof of enrolment, health insurance and enough money.