Hi,

I am an American living in Barcelona for the past 18 months on a tourist visa. I married my Austrian boyfriend (a Spanish resident) last month and now we are trying to figure out the proper visas.

The US visas for my husband appear straightforward thus far?the only hurtle being that we must apply in person in Madrid, rather than here in Barcelona. If someone knows if we can in fact do it in Barcelona, please let me know.

The EU visa details are not so clear. I want to be able to be in Spain beyond the 90 day tourist visa limit, as well as work for EU clients in the future. I am an independent contractor for US clients and thus far, have not needed an NIE. I began the NIE process last year but got stumped at the beginning.

I believe the NIE is my first step toward Spanish residency but am not sure what paperwork I need to obtain one. If anyone has helpful notes on this process for a non-EU resident, please also let me know.

I have my original marriage certificate from NY, but am awaiting a copy with the Apostille.
Can I begin any of the processes prior to having the Apostille on my certificate.

Also, does anyone know which EU Visa is required for me to start the process. I am not sure if it would be handled through the Austrian embassy in Spain, or through Spanish authorities, since my husband is a Spanish resident.

Thanks for any and all help,
Grace

Try these sites:

N.I.E. (EX14) / RESIDENCIA (EX16)

Forms and the Regulations Governing EU citizens in Spain document.

http://extranjeros.mtas.es/

For forms - Click: Modelos de Solictudes

Or direct link
http://extranjeros.mtas.es/es/general/procedimientos_Solicitudes_index.html

For the Regulations document Click
R?gimen de los ciudadanos Comunitarios en Espa?a

VISAS INFORMATION

http://extranjeros.mtas.es/

Click: Informacion de interes

Click: ?  Folletos Informativos
        Ver

Click:  R?gimen general    

Download, Save, Open with Adobe, Read and Learn!

“Deber? tramitar su Tarjeta de Residencia de familiar Comunitario ante las dependencias de la Polic?a de Extranjer?a con la siguiente documentaci?n (original y fotocopia):
* Modelo oficial Ex16 cumplimentado
* Tres fotograf?as recientes, en color, en fondo blanco, tama?o carn?.
* El pasaporte, en funci?n de su nacionalidad, a cuyo amparo es titular del derecho de residencia. (Hay que presentar el original y entregar copia del mismo). En el supuesto de que dicho documento de identidad o pasaporte est? caducado, deber? aportarse copia de ?ste y de la solicitud de renovaci?n.
* Excepcionalmente, cuando as? lo aconsejen razones de orden p?blico, seguridad p?blica o salud p?blica, podr? solicitarse tambi?n la presentaci?n de certificado m?dico acreditativo de su estado de salud.
* Certificado de matrimonio o libro de familia.
* Documentaci?n acreditativa de que su c?nyuge reside en Espa?a.”

Hi - Thanks so much for you’re reply and information. 
Does anyone have experience with companies like: http://www.nienumberdirect.com/ for helping to obtain an NIE.
My Spanish skills are not so great, so I am curious how difficult it will be for me to do this without assistance. If anyone, has an opinion about these services, please let me know. thanks, g

ggmama, it’s not so difficult. Are you in Spain yet? You can apply for your NIE at the local Spanish consulate in your country too. Check out this page on NIEs and identification.