CoExGal

On March 14, 2011, there was a thread on this website, entitled "Can UK citizen + Non-European Union Spouse reside in Spain together?", which is now closed. I am very confused by the answers. I tried to Private Message the Moderator, but the site would not permit me to, stating I had to post at least three messages in this forum before being allowed to PM someone.

I am a U.S. citizen married to a Brit. I have a Spouse Visa which enables me to live here in England; it must be renewed/extended every 30 months, twice, for a total of five years. It has now been 2 years.

My husband and I plan to eventually move to Spain, but according to the following website, I cannot reside in Spain until I first become a resident of the UK--which takes five years, since I applied after 9 July 2012--and THEN apply for a EU passport:

https://www.gov.uk/settle-in-the-uk/...rk-visa/tier-1

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Yet, the thread I read on this website states from the Moderator that "Family members of an EU citizen who are not EU citizens are issued with the old style residencia card and should have no problems residing in Spain.

It's actually called a TARJETA DE RESIDENCIA DE FAMILIAR DE CIUDADANO DE LA UNIÓN and you apply for it using the same form (EX16) that the EU citizen uses to register on the register of foreigners."

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Is this true? I am very confused. I hate to wait three entire years to apply for residency, then another year or more to apply for citzenship. Please help!

Pollyana

The thread you mentioned above is 3 years old and many things will have changed since then.
I am going to move your thread to the UK forum, which may seema a little strange, but we do have some experts in there who can advise you on the current rules for living in the EU while married to a Brit I'm almost certain you don't have to live in the UK first but don't have the right references to hand.

CoExGal

Thank you for your help!

BritInParis

You don't need to naturalise as a British citizen in order to live in Spain. You can go now. As your husband is an EU citizen you can then apply for a residence card under EU law to remain in Spain as his family member. This is the Tarjeta de residencia de familiar de ciudadano de la Unión you have already mentioned. The cost is €10.50 and it lasts for five years.

CoExGal

Thank you; that is good news!

feelbritish

Does that apply if you wish to retire as well?

BritInParis

Providing you can demonstrate you are self-sufficient I believe so.

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