Unfortunately I think my situation is rather unique on this board (hoping not) but my husband and I are in a bit of a bind regarding how to get into Madrid on July 15, our move date.

My husband is a British citizen and I am American. I thought this would mean easy entry for me but...I just went to the Spanish Embassy today and they told me that he would have to go to Spain first and bring back his residence card, before I could apply for my (VISA? Residence Permit?) and that I must apply here in the US, and that he must apply there in Spain. This sound very difficult because if he goes to Madrid, we don't know how long it will take for him to get whatever he needs (and we need to be sure he gets exactly what I need) so I don't know how long to plan the visit. Does anyone know how long it takes for EU citizens to get their paperwork completed? (Although I'm a little confused because apparently EU citizens don't need any paperwork but I apparently need something from him for my own entry...)

Perhaps our best option may be to both go to Madrid but to get me a tourist visa and have me return to the USA at the end of August, at which time I can become "official" and then return to Madrid to start the job search in September, with better language skills I'm sure...

Any thoughts or experiences welcome.

Hi Juliette,

Maybe, It has to be a way to apply your Residency/work permit in Madrid with no need to comeback to US for this procedure.

What happens If you are already in Madrid with your tourist visa and decide to apply residence/work permit there because your husband is EU citizen? ( ask this question to the Spanish consulate)

Good luck

Birsen