How to Apply for EU Long-Term Residence

Procedure

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What is the EU long-term residence card?

It is a long-term residence authorization that allows foreign nationals to live and work in Spain indefinitely under the same conditions as Spanish citizens. It also enables them to prove their status as long-term residents in Spain in other EU countries, making it easier to obtain residence and work authorization in another EU country.

In which countries can I work with an EU long-term residence card in 2018?

In 2018, the countries where I can work with an EU long-term residence card are all European Union Member States:

Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, the United Kingdom (Brexit pending), the Czech Republic, Romania and Sweden.

Who can apply for EU long-term residence in Spain?

Foreign nationals who have legally and continuously resided in Spain for 5 years can apply for an EU long-term residence card in Spain. So can foreign nationals who can prove continuous residence in the European Union as holders of an EU Blue Card, provided they have resided in Spain for the 2 years immediately before applying.

Stateless persons, refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection who are in Spanish territory and have been granted the relevant status in Spain may also apply.

What are the requirements for applying for EU long-term residence authorization in Spain?

The requirements for applying for EU long-term residence authorization in Spain are:

The applicant must have sufficient financial resources to support themselves and their family, in accordance with the requirements for family reunification.

These financial resources may come from employment or professional activities, or from the foreign national’s own means.

Have public or private health insurance arranged with an insurer authorized to operate in Spain.

Who can apply for an EU long-term residence card, and where?

The foreign national must submit the application either to the Immigration Office responsible for their place of residence or, if they live outside Spain, to the relevant consular office or embassy.

Once the application has been received, the Immigration Office will check that the requirements are met and request the relevant reports, issuing a decision within a maximum of 3 months.

Once the authorization has been granted, the foreign national must apply for a Foreigner Identity Card (TIE) within 1 month. The card must be renewed every 5 years.

Can I exchange a long-term residence card for an EU long-term residence card?

It is possible to exchange a Spanish long-term residence card for an EU long-term residence card. If you already hold a long-term residence card, you can make the change at any time without waiting for its 5-year validity period to expire.