WHAT IS A CIVIL UNION?
A civil union is a registered partnership between two indivudals that are not otherwise legally married. In order to register, both you and your partner must live together and be registered (empadronado) in the same apartment / house. The foreigner must prove that he or she has resided in Spain for at least one year prior to the appointment.
Anyone of legal age who is not currently married may register for a civil union as long as you can prove that your partnership is legitimate and that you have lived together for at least one year. If foreigners from outside of the EU decide to apply for a civil union with a Spaniard or another EU Member State citizen, then they may apply for the corresponding residence and work permit for EU citizen family members after being granted the civil union certificate of approval.
Documentation requirements vary from community to community but overall you will need to submit the following:
Volante de empadronamiento conjunto: You must request this registration form from the town hall nearest you, that shows that both you and your partner live together in the same place. You must ask the director to certify it with his signature and a stamp before you can submit it to authorities during your civil union appointment.
Certificate of no impediment (certificado de soltería): It is preferred that foreigners request this at their country´s consulate in Spain. However, if you get one from your home country remember to check with officials to make sure it is valid and make sure it is legalized and apostilled properly. Spaniards may get this document at the civil registry in their community.
Bank fee (tasa): To register your civil union you will have to pay a fee before the appointment to submit to authorities during the appointment. Prices vary from community to community and they increase the prices at least once a year.
The non EU foreigner may apply for the EU Citizen Family Member Residence Card once granted their civil union certificate of approval (if and only if they are in a civil union with a member of the EU). Remember to check all the required documentation for that procedure as well. If you (the non- EU foreigner) have registered your civil union with a EU member citizen who is not Spanish, he or she must request their EU citizen residence card in Spain prior to requesting your residence permit for EU citizen family members.
