Britons and other non-Europeans
Family of an EU citizen: the EX-19 residence card
A non-EU national whose husband, wife, registered partner, parent or child is a European settled in Torrevieja applies on form EX-19 for the tarjeta de familiar, the residence card for a relative of an EU citizen; the Oficina de Extranjería in Alicante lists it. Relatives of Spaniards now have an authorisation of their own.
Request helpRelatives who can apply
- A husband or wife, unless legally separated
- A registered partner (pareja de hecho inscrita)
- Sons and daughters under 21, or older if they are dependent
- Dependent parents, of the European or of the European’s spouse
- Sometimes other dependent relatives, or a partner whose lasting relationship is proven
First, the European’s own registration
The card depends on your relative being registered. If they have no green certificate yet, their EX-18 comes first; many couples book the two close together.
If your partner or parent is Spanish
This card is for the family of citizens of other EU, EEA or Swiss states. Since the immigration regulations were reformed in 2025, a Spaniard’s family has a residence authorisation of its own, called in Spanish residencia temporal de familiar de ciudadano español. The government’s page for the Valencia region lists it, though not among the procedures of the Alicante office, so check where yours is filed before you prepare the folder.
Papers that prove the link
- The EX-19 with your signature
- Your passport, valid, plus a copy
- Proof of the link: marriage, partnership or birth certificate, legalised or apostilled, with a sworn translation if it is not in Spanish
- Your relative’s ID card or passport, and their green certificate
- Evidence of the European’s job, pension, or means plus health cover
- Proof the 790-012 is paid; a padrón certificate is often requested too
Where in the province
The Subdelegación del Gobierno en Alicante, which represents the State in the province, puts the family-member card on the list of its Oficina de Extranjería: Calle Ebanistería 4 y 6, Polígono de Babel, Alicante. Information is given in person and on 965 019 300, from 9:00 to 14:00.
Fingerprinting for the card, the toma de huellas, is a police step with its own booking; each cita previa slip names its office.
What the card allows
Once issued, the card lets you live in Spain and work, for an employer or for yourself, with no separate permit. It is tied to your family link; if that link changes, ask what your options are before the card runs out.
Questions
We live together but never married. Does that count?
A registered partnership counts. A stable relationship without registration can also be considered if you can show it; the evidence matters, so ask us first.
Is the EX-19 card a work permit too?
The card itself allows work, employed or self-employed, with no separate authorisation.
My wife is Belgian and we live in La Mata. Who decides my card?
The Oficina de Extranjería in Alicante lists the family-member card; the fingerprints are a police step. Each slip names its own office.
Can my mother join us from Colombia?
Yes, if she depends on the European or on their spouse, and the dependence can be shown, for instance with proof of money sent to her over time.
Is the EX-19 card right if my husband is Spanish?
No. That card is for the families of other Europeans; a Spaniard’s husband, wife or child has had a separate authorisation since 2025, with its own form and file.
The pages these facts come from
- Subdelegación del Gobierno en Alicante: its Oficina de Extranjería on Calle Ebanistería, and what goes to the police instead
- policia.es, Unidades de Extranjería: every police office of the province of Alicante and the foreigners’ procedures it lists
- Booking an appointment with the administration (cita previa), on sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es
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