N-FS — Non-EU spouse or partner of mobile EU citizen

If you are married or in a registered partnership with an EU citizen that is living, working, studying or looking for a job in an EU country different from the one they come from, EU rules make it easier for you to join them there. The information on this page applies also to children and grandchildren joining their EU family abroad.

If you want to join your EU spouse or registered partner in their country of origin and you haven't lived together in another EU country before, only national rules will apply to your situation.

ληβ. ο/η συμβίος/α με τον/την οποίο/α ο/η πολίτης της Ένωσης έχει σχέση καταχωρισμένης συμβίωσης, βάσει της νομοθεσίας κράτους μέλους, εφόσον η νομοθεσία του κράτους μέλους υποδοχής αναγνωρίζει τη σχέση καταχωρισμένης συμβίωσης ως ισοδύναμη προς τον γάμο, και σύμφωνα με τους όρους που προβλέ- πονται στην οικεία νομοθεσία του κράτους μέλους υποδοχής,

If your EU spouse is legally employed in another EU country, you can stay there with them without having to meet any conditions. If your EU spouse is a pensioner If your EU spouse is a pensioner living in another EU country, you can stay there with them if they have sufficient income to live without needing income support and comprehensive health insurance for the whole family in that country. If your EU spouse is a student If your EU spouse is a student living in another EU country, you can stay with them if they: are enrolled in an approved educational establishment have sufficient income to support your whole family without needing income support have comprehensive health insurance for your whole family in that country

If you stay for less than 3 months, all you need is a valid passport and an entry visa depending on the country you are from. Check the entry visa requirements/exemptions in the EU. Before you leave, check with the consulate of the country you are going to if you need an entry visa, and if so, how long it will take to get it. Staying abroad for more than 3 months If you are staying for longer than 3 months in your spouse's host country, you have to apply for a residence card and report your presence to the relevant authorities. Residence card You must apply for a residence document with the authorities in your host EU country (often the town hall or local police station) within 3 months of arriving.

After 3 months in your host country, your non-EU family members must register their residence with the relevant authorities (often the town hall or local police station). To obtain a residence card, they will need: a valid passport your registration certificate as an EU national or any other proof of your residence in the country proof of the family relationship with you (such as a marriage or birth certificate) for (grand)children, proof they are under 21 or dependent on you for (grand)parents, proof that they are dependent on you for other family members, proof that they are dependent on you or there are serious health ground requiring you to take personal care of them for unmarried partners, proof of a long-term or durable relationship with you Warning No other documents may be requested

The authorities should make their decision to issue a residence card or not within 6 months.

The residence card should be valid for 5 years (or for your planned length of stay, if shorter).

During your stay you should be treated in the same way as nationals of your host country, notably regarding access to employment, pay, benefits, access to work and enrolment in schools.

If you were living legally in another EU country and your EU spouse died before acquiring permanent residence there, you may stay if you had been living there for at least 1 year before they died. To be able to stay, you must also meet the same conditions for residence as EU nationals. Check the conditions and formalities for: workers pensioners What happens to your residence rights if you divorce your spouse? If you divorce your EU spouse before they acquired permanent residence in their host country (which usually requires them to have lived there for 5 years) - you may stay if: you have been living there for at least 1 year, and your marriage lasted for at least 3 years before divorce proceedings started You can also stay if you have: custody of your child(ren) or the right to see your minor child(ren), as long as the court ruled that such access must be in the host EU country

You acquire the right of permanent residence if you have lived legally in your host EU country for 5 continuous years. You can then stay as long as you want even if you don't work and need income support. You should enjoy the same rights, benefits and advantages as EU nationals. Your continuity of residence is not affected by: temporary absences (less than 6 months a year) longer absences in case of compulsory military service one absence of no more than 12 consecutive months for important reasons such as pregnancy and childbirth, serious illness, work, vocational training or a posting to another country. You can lose your right to permanent residence if you live outside the country for more than 2 consecutive years.