Where clients get caught out
In Mallorca many couples discover too late that they cannot register in the Balearic register of stable couples because neither partner has Balearic civil status. Choose the right route before booking an appointment.
What the law says
Royal Decree 240/2007, which regulates the residence of EU citizens and their families in Spain, includes the partner with whom the EU citizen has a relationship registered in a public register of an EU or EEA state. That partner can obtain the EU family residence card, valid for five years and with the right to work.
Which register counts?
It must be a public register created for that purpose, such as a regional register of couples in Spain or a civil partnership register in another EU state. A private agreement or a notarial declaration alone is not enough. The registration must be in force: if it was cancelled, or if either partner later married someone else, the route is closed.
The Balearic register of stable couples
The Balearic register is only open to couples where at least one partner has Balearic civil status (vecindad civil balear), which foreigners usually do not have. Many international couples in Mallorca therefore register in another region where they live, register in the EU state of the European partner, or use the stable partner route.
What the EU citizen must prove
The European partner must hold the registration certificate and meet one of the conditions of residence: work in Spain, sufficient resources and full health insurance, or studies. See what the EU citizen must prove.
How to apply in Mallorca
The application is filed in the three months after arrival, with the official form, the fee, the passport, the registration certificate and the partnership certificate, apostilled and translated where needed. Then the card is issued at the police with fingerprints.
Castell.law is the English and German-speaking practice of Castell Abogados, a law firm in Palma de Mallorca. This page is general information, not advice on a specific case: laws and procedures change, so check your situation with us before acting.
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Tell us about your matter or send us the documents you have. A lawyer will explain the risks, the options and the cost before you commit to anything.
Frequently asked questions
Is a registered partner the same as a spouse for the EU card?
Yes. Spanish law treats a partner registered in a public register of an EU or EEA state like a spouse.
Can we register in the Balearic Islands?
Only if one of you has Balearic civil status, which foreigners rarely have.
What if we cannot register anywhere?
You can apply as a stable partner, proving the relationship with documents.