When you decide building a life together with another person being far away from your country, every decision matters twice as much. You already have love. So does living together. But taking that step towards legal recognition of your relationship is another way of sustaining what you have built together.
If you have been living in Spain for some time with your partner and you are thinking of formalising your union without the need to get married, you can register as unmarried partner in Madrid may be exactly what you need.
In this article we explain what it is, how to carry it out, for whom it is intended, how it is handled and what specific rights you are entitled to under the law when it comes to becoming an unmarried couple in Madrid.
What exactly is a domestic partnership?
A unmarried partner is a stable affective union between two people who live together and share a life project in common, but who have decided not to formalise that relationship through marriage.
In Spain, this figure exists and is legally recognised, although its regulation depends on each autonomous community. This means that the rules that apply in Madrid may be different from those in Catalonia, Valencia or Andalusia.
In the Community of Madrid, the unmarried partner is registered in the Registry of Unions of De Facto of the Community of Madrid. Once registered, the partnership is legally recognised in the territory of the community and generates a series of rights and obligations for both parties.
It is not the same as marriage in all respects, but it is the same as marriage. provides very important legal protection, especially in situations of health, inheritance or administrative procedures.
This is open to both heterosexual and same-sex couples. It does not matter the gender or orientation; what matters is the willingness to build together and legally protect that bond.
Who can register as a domestic partner in Madrid?
Not every couple can register directly; there are a series of requirements that both persons must fulfil before the process can begin. Knowing them in advance saves you time and avoids surprises along the way. To be able to register as a domestic partner in the Community of Madrid:
- Both persons must be of legal age.
- They must also be registered in some municipality of the Community of Madrid, This means that, if you have not yet regularised your municipal register, this will be the first step.
- None of the two can be married or in another registered partnership in force at the time of application.
- There is also a kinship restrictionThe following persons may not be registered as unmarried partners: persons who are direct relatives by blood or adoption up to a certain degree.
- In practice, this means that siblings, parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren cannot do so. Beyond that, the law does not establish any other restrictions.
If you are a migrant and you are still in the process of regularising your situation, this is a process that may intersect with other administrative processes you may already have underway. That is why it is worth planning it calmly and, if possible, with advice.
The documents you need to collect
Once you both meet the requirements, the next step is to gather the documentation. This is where many couples get lost, not because it's complicated, but because they don't know exactly what to ask for and where to ask for it.
- The basic thing you both need is a valid identity document: DNI if you are Spanish nationals, or passport and NIE if you are foreigners.
- This is in addition to the census certificates, which you must apply for at the Town Hall of the municipality where you live. This certificate certifies that you live in the Community of Madrid.
- You will also need a certificate that accredit that neither of them is currently married or registered with another unmarried partner.
In the case of Spanish nationals, this document is issued by the Civil Registry. In the case of foreign nationals, the situation is a little more complex.
If you are a foreigner, pay attention to this
If you come from a Latin American country, the certificate of civil status is usually issued by the Civil Registry of your country or the consulate of your country in Spain.
Each country has its own procedures, so the most practical thing to do is to contact directly with your consulate to find out exactly which document you need and how to obtain it from here.
In some cases, if the original document is in a language other than Spanish, or if it comes from a country with which Spain has an agreement of apostille, If you do not have an official translation or apostille of the document, you may need an official translation or apostille of the document. Check with the Registry of Common Law Partnerships in Madrid or with a professional before applying so that you do not have to do anything unnecessarily.
The registration process, step by step
Once you have all the documentation in order, the registration process itself is not excessively lengthy. This is done through the Community of Madrid, which is the body in charge of managing the Registry of Unions de Facto. You can find all the official information and updated forms on the website of the Community of Madrid. Community of Madrid.
The procedure begins with the submission of the application together with all documentation required. Both partners must be present or, in specific cases, one may act by duly authorised representation. At the time of registration, the act is formalised and you are given the certificate accrediting your registration as a registered partner.
It is advisable to make an appointment in advance and check the list of documents required at the time of your application carefully, as administrative requirements may be updated.
What are your legal rights as a civil partner?
Here is the real reason for this procedure. Registering as a civil partner is not just a piece of paper, it is a concrete way of protecting each other from situations that, even if we don't want to think about them, are part of life.
One of the rights most valued is the one related to the medical decision-making. If your partner is admitted to hospital, you have the right to be informed of his or her condition and, in certain circumstances, to participate in decisions about his or her care. Without such a record, a stranger in the eyes of the law (even the most important person in your life) may be excluded from such situations.
In terms of inheritances and estates, the unmarried couple in Madrid grants certain inheritance rights, but not identical to those of marriage. In case of death without a will, the situation can be more complicated, which is why many unmarried couples also choose to make a will to reinforce their mutual protection.
There are also housing benefits, The main issues are access to public subsidies and the possibility of being subrogated to a rental contract in the event of the death of the owner. And in the work environment, some agreements recognise to unmarried couples, the same permits than marriage in cases of hospitalisation, death or family celebrations.
A door many migrants are unaware of
This is perhaps the most important section for those in the migrant community. Many people are not aware that the unmarried partner may be relevant in the process of regularisation or renewal of residence in Spain..
If one of the partners is a Spanish or EU citizen and the other is a non-EU foreigner, registration as a domestic partner can open the door to applying for a residence permit. on the grounds of family reunification or a proven emotional link.
It is not an automatic or guaranteed process, but having the registration is a legal proof of the link that the administration does value.
This means that, in addition to protecting you as a couple on a day-to-day basis, registration can be an important step in your migration project.
If you are navigating through these processes, remember that there are also other economic and administrative steps you can take to organise yourself. Knowing your tax obligations as a migrant in Spain is another of those steps that should be taken in good time and with time.
Supporting from here those you left behind in your country
As you know, building a life in Madrid does not mean forgetting those who are still in your country. Surely many of the people reading this article send money every month to their families, their mothers, their children, their siblings. This gesture is also a way of supporting, of continuing to be there even when you are not.
At Curiara we know that caring has no borders. We understand that migrant life has many layers: the partner you build here, the family you care for there, the paperwork you navigate in between.
So if you need to sending money to Venezuela or other Latin American countries from Europe, We do it with you: safely, with the best rate and with the respect that every shipment deserves.
In short, registering as a domestic partner in Madrid is not just a bureaucratic procedure. It is a way of sustaining love also on the legal level, so that the life you are building together has the support it deserves.
If you still have any doubts, the best thing to do is to consult a professional who can guide you according to your specific situation. But if you want to explore how Curiara can accompany you in your day-to-day life, in shipments and in procedures, we invite you to learn about the benefits of using Curiara over other platforms, because they go far beyond money.