For many international couples, including American-Spanish pairs or foreign partners, building a life together in Spain is a shared dream, where the law of civil partnership in Spain helps.
Beyond marriage, Spain offers a formalized legal framework for unmarried couples: the civil partnership, known locally as Pareja de Hecho or Unión Civil. This institution not only recognizes your relationship but can also serve as a crucial pathway to legal residency for the foreign partner.
At SpainResidency.com, we guide you through every legal step to secure your status.
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In this post we cover the following: (click any section to see its content)
Civil partnership in Spain:
- WHAT IS A CIVIL PARTNERSHIP (PAREJA DE HECHO) IN SPAIN? »
- KEY REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTERING A CIVIL PARTNERSHIP »
- FROM PARTNERSHIP TO RESIDENCY: THE IMMIGRATION PATHWAY »
- HOW SpainResidency.com GUIDES YOU TO SUCCESS »
- ALL TYPES OF RESIDENCY AVAILABLE IN SPAIN »
- SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A SOLICITOR »
WHAT IS A CIVIL PARTNERSHIP (PAREJA DE HECHO) IN SPAIN?:
A civil partnership is a legally registered union between two individuals, regardless of gender, who live together in a stable, romantic relationship akin to marriage. It is regulated at the regional level (Comunidad Autónoma), meaning requirements and procedures vary between regions like Madrid, Catalonia, or Andalusia.
Once registered, it grants couples a range of legal rights and duties, particularly concerning inheritance, social security benefits, immigration, and potentially property. For a foreign national, registration is most significant because it can provide the legal basis to apply for a family member residence permit as the partner of a Spanish citizen or another legal resident.
KEY REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTERING A CIVIL PARTNERSHIP:
While specific documents vary by region, the core requirements generally include:
- Proof of Stable Union: Evidence you have cohabited for a continuous period (often 6 months to 2 years). This can be proven through joint rental contracts, property deeds, utility bills, or sworn affidavits from witnesses.
- Legal Capacity: Both partners must be of legal age (18+), not already married or in another registered partnership, and not be direct relatives.
- Residency Registration: At least one partner, often the Spanish sponsor, must be registered (empadronado) in the region where you apply.
- Official Documentation:
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Valid passports or National ID cards (DNI).
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Birth certificates (often requiring an apostille and official translation).
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A certificate of marital status (Certificado de Soltería or Fe de Vida y Estado) from your home country.
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A signed declaration before a public official that you are in a stable partnership.
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FROM PARTNERSHIP TO RESIDENCY: THE IMMIGRATION PATHWAY:
For the foreign partner, the civil partnership certificate is the key document to apply for residency. The process typically follows these steps:
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Regional Registration: First, you must successfully register your partnership with the relevant regional registry.
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Initial Residence Application: The foreign partner then applies for an initial “Family Member of a Spanish Citizen/EU Citizen” residence card. This is usually filed from your home country at the Spanish consulate, though some permits can be applied for from within Spain under specific circumstances.
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Key Requirements for the Visa/Residency: Authorities will scrutinize:
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The authenticity and validity of the civil partnership registration.
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Proof of sufficient financial means to support the couple without public assistance.
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Comprehensive health insurance for the foreign partner.
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A clean criminal record from countries of residence in recent years.
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After obtaining initial residency (typically valid for 5 years), the foreign partner can later apply for permanent residency and, eventually, Spanish citizenship, subject to standard residency timelines.
WHY EXPERT LEGAL GUIDANCE IS ESSENTIAL:
Navigating this two-track process—regional registration and national immigration law—presents challenges:
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Regional Disparities: A certificate from one region is valid nationwide, but knowing the fastest or least demanding region for your case is crucial.
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Document Preparation: Foreign documents require apostilles and sworn Spanish translations. Any error can cause significant delays.
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Immigration Strategy: The requirements for the partnership itself and the subsequent residency application are interconnected and must be perfectly aligned.
WHAT IS A CIVIL PARTNERSHIP (PAREJA DE HECHO) IN SPAIN?:
Our specialized team at SpainResidency.com, a service of law firm Lawbird, provides comprehensive support:
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Strategy Assessment: We analyze your situation to confirm a civil partnership is your optimal residency pathway.
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Full Process Management: We handle the entire procedure, from document legalization and translation to preparing your regional partnership application and subsequent residency file.
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Consular and Administrative Liaison: We ensure your application meets the precise standards of your relevant Spanish consulate and immigration offices.
Ready to take the first step?
Click-here » to contact us today for a confidential consultation. Let us provide you with a clear roadmap and the expert support needed to make your move to Spain a success.
ALL TYPES OF RESIDENCY AVAILABLE IN SPAIN:
- Digital-Nomad visa Spain (Remote worker in Spain)
- Non-Lucrative visa Spain (Spanish visa non lucrative)
- Student-Visa Permit (Student-Visa & up-to 30 hours work per week)
- Self-Employed visa Spain (Self employed expats in Spain)
Please see-here our video-blog with options and legal-advice to obtain residency in Spain.
Remember that immigration procedures and immigration regulations change regularly, so it’s crucial to stay updated with the latest information from reliable sources. If you have specific questions or concerns about your situation, it’s advisable to consult with immigration authorities or legal professionals specializing in immigration matters, to do this, please click-here »
DO YOU REQUIRE ASSISTANCE TO APPLY FOR RESIDENCY IN SPAIN?
We are a Spanish Solicitor and assist our clients with all types Spanish legal processes.
Permanent residency is obtained after 5 years of Spanish Residency through Self-Employed Residency, Digital-Nomad, Non-Lucrative Residency or Golden-Visa. This followed by 5 years as a permanent resident in Spain and means you can then obtain Spanish Citizenship with a Spanish Passport.