TIE HoyEU family entry — do I need a visa?
Check your nationality and any qualifying family residence card before travelling to join or accompany the EU citizen.
Must I obtain a visa?
Only if your nationality requires one and no applicable exemption covers you.
A valid qualifying EU-family residence card can exempt you when accompanying or joining the citizen.
An ordinary residence permit is not automatically that card.
Where do I apply if I need one?
Use the Spanish consulate directory and select the office for your residence.
A qualifying EU-family entry visa is free and receives priority.
This is not the ordinary EX-02 authorization-first procedure.
After entry
Apply for the Spanish family card within three months of entry under Article 8.
Keep proof of entry; the entry visa and Spanish family-card application serve different tasks.
What to do
Check entry permission before booking your travel.
Bring
- Valid passport
- Qualifying residence card, if relying on exemption
- Family relationship proof
- Evidence of accompanying or joining the citizen
Steps
- Check visa requirements for your nationality and the exact residence-card category.
- Prepare proof that you accompany or join the citizen.
- Submit a required visa through your competent consulate.
- Keep passport, relationship proof and the citizen’s travel/residence proof for entry.
Basis
Article 4 governs entry, visa requirements, the qualifying card exemption and free priority visas; Article 8 governs the later Spanish card.