Renew Community Card

Renewing the Community Family Member Residence Card is an important process to maintain your legal status in Spain. At Lexmovea, we support you in renewing your community card and provide guidance on how to proceed with the renewal or what to do if your status has changed.

Community Card Renewal Deadline

• You can renew your community card within 30 days before it expires.
• You can also do it within 90 days after expiration, but you may face penalties.
• Recommendation: Submit the renewal of your family community card within the 30 days before it expires to avoid any issues.

Early Renewal: Not Possible

• If you submit the application before the 30 days prior to expiration, it will be rejected.
• Make sure to respect the established deadline to avoid unnecessary delays.

Valid Passport: A Must-Have Requirement

• You must present a valid passport when requesting the renewal of your community card.
• If your passport is expired, contact your consulate to renew it as soon as possible.

Documents Required to Renew the Community Carda

To Renew the Community Family Member Card, It Is Essential to Prove That the Family Link with the EU or Spanish Citizen Who Initially Granted You the Card Is Still Valid.

Therefore, in addition to basic documents like a valid passport and the application form, you must submit updated documentation that proves this link:

• Updated Marriage Certificate If you are married to an EU or Spanish citizen, provide an updated copy of your marriage certificate to demonstrate that the marriage is still valid.
• Updated Civil Partnership Registration Certificate If you are in a registered partnership with an EU or Spanish citizen, provide an updated certificate that proves the partnership is still valid.
• No Fee for the Community Card Unlike other immigration procedures, there is no administrative fee for renewing the community family member residence card or applying for a community card.

Joint Registration: Key Proof of Cohabitation

When renewing your Community Card, it is crucial to prove that you are still living with the EU citizen who grants you the right to the card. For this, you must provide the Joint Registration Certificate to confirm that both of you live at the same address.

If you fail to present this certificate, the Foreigners’ Office may request it, which could delay the process. To avoid delays, make sure to bring your joint registration certificate to the appointment.

Exception: If the Link with the EU or Spanish Citizen No Longer Exists but You Have the Right to Keep Your Community Card Independently, You Do Not Need to Present the Joint Registration Certificate.

Who Must Prove Financial Means?

Although It May Seem Unfair, the Responsibility to Prove Sufficient Financial Means Lies with the Spanish or EU Citizen, Not the Holder of the Community Residence Card.

The way to prove these financial means depends on the employment situation of the EU or Spanish citizen:

• If They Are Unemployed: They must present medical insurance with no copayments or waiting periods, as well as documents proving they have sufficient financial resources to support themselves and their dependent family member.
• If They Are Employed: They must provide their employment contract, certificate of employment, work history report, etc.
• If They Are Self-Employed: They must submit documents such as registration in the business census, registration in the Commercial Registry, or registration with Social Security.

In the latter two cases, it is also necessary to prove registration with Social Security.

Divorce or Separation in the Community Card

The renewal of the community card requires proving that the emotional bond with the EU or Spanish citizen persists. In the case of children or parents, this is usually not a problem, but marriage or a registered partnership can end.

What Happens to My Community Card if I Get Divorced or My Registered Partnership Breaks Up?

The key is to inform Extranjería in a timely manner. At Lexmovea, we prepare a letter detailing the situation and request the renewal of the community card.

The renewal will depend on two factors:

1. Having Been Married or in a Registered Partnership for at Least 3 Years: In this case, you could maintain your community family member status, but you will also need to prove your own financial means (employment or savings). This factor is crucial to successfully maintain/renew your community status.
2. Being in a Relationship or Marriage for Less Than 3 Years: You will need to notify Extranjería within 3 months of the separation and submit a new residency and work application, along with the standard documents required for this type of residency.

When Should I Notify Extranjería of My Divorce or Separation?

Once you have the divorce decree or a document confirming your separation, you have a maximum of 3 months to notify Extranjería.

What Happens If I Have Been in a Relationship or Marriage for Less Than 3 Years?

If you have been in a registered partnership or marriage for less than three years, you must notify Extranjería within 3 months of the separation. Additionally, you will need to submit a new residency and work application, following the requirements and providing the usual documentation for this type of permit.

What Financial Means Are Required for Community Card Renewal After a Divorce or Separation?

The administration requires that the Spanish or EU citizen prove they have sufficient financial means so that you, as a community family member, do not become a burden on the Spanish state. When renewing your card after a divorce or separation, you will need to prove these financial means, just as you would for the initial application.vorcio o separación, deberás demostrar esta posesión de medios económicos, al igual que en la solicitud inicial.

Frequently Asked Questions about Renewal

1. Where to Renew the Community Card? The renewal or application for the Community Family Member Residence Card is processed at the Foreigners’ Office in your city. You can submit the application in various ways, but we recommend doing it online via the Mercurio platform. If you don’t have a digital certificate or prefer professional help, the Parainmigrantes.info team is available to assist you.
2. When Should I Renew the Community Family Member Card?
   • The renewal of the Community Family Member Residence Card must be processed once the first 5 years of residence have passed. It’s important to remember that the process is handled at the Foreigners’ Office, either online or with the help of a lawyer or agent.
   • The renewal period for the community family member card or permanent residence card renewal starts 30 days before the card expires and extends up to 90 days after its expiration. It is crucial to respect this deadline, as submitting it too early will result in the application being rejected.
3. What Happens If I Submit the Renewal Before 30 Days Before Its Expiration? If you submit your renewal application for the community family member card before the 30 days prior to the expiration date, the Foreigners’ Office will reject the application. However, you can submit it again once you are within the correct timeframe.
4. How Can I Renew the 10-Year Permanent Community Card? Many foreigners ask how to renew the 10-year permanent community card. To do so, you need to submit the EX-17 form, your valid passport, a passport-sized photo, and the proof of payment for the corresponding fee. This process is done at the Foreigners’ Office or online through the Foreigners’ Electronic Headquarters. It’s advisable to start the process at least 60 days before the expiration date or up to 90 days after. Although renewing the permanent community residence card seems simple, it’s important to meet all the requirements and provide the necessary documents to avoid delays or issues.
5. Can I Renew the Community Card Online? Yes, you can renew the community family member card or apply for a community card online through the Foreigners’ Electronic Headquarters. You just need the EX-17 form, a copy of your passport, a passport-sized photo, and the proof of payment for the fee. It is recommended to do so within 60 days before the expiration or up to 90 days after.
6. How to Renew the Community Card Outside of Spain? Renewing the community card from outside Spain is difficult, as the process must be done on Spanish territory. If you are abroad and cannot return before the expiration, contact an immigration law firm such as Lexmovea, as we can guide you on alternative options.
7. What Are the Requirements to Renew the 5-Year Community Card / 5-Year Community Resident Card? To renew the 5-year community card, you must meet certain requirements. First, to proceed with the community residence renewal of 5 years, you need to prove that you maintain the bond with the EU citizen (whether a direct relative or a registered partner). You also need to submit the EX-17 form, your valid passport, a passport-sized photo, and the proof of payment for the fee. It is also crucial to prove that both you and the EU family member meet the residence conditions in Spain.