You may have come across the term ‘Pareja de Hecho’ but aren’t sure what it means. In Spain, this term refers to a ‘de facto’ or common-law couple, where partners live together but are not married. While some countries automatically recognize de facto couples with legal rights, Spain requires the relationship to be officially registered in order for the couple to be granted certain legal benefits.
Without registering as Pareja de Hecho, non-married couples in Spain are treated as two separate individuals in the eyes of the law. This means one partner cannot automatically benefit from the other in areas such as healthcare, residency/visa applications, or joint taxes.
For couples who don’t want to get married but still want legal recognition, registering as Pareja de Hecho offers a solution. You can register your partnership in front of a public notary, at the town hall, or before a justice of the peace (juzgado de paz). Like all legal processes, you’ll need to submit specific documents to complete the registration.
Once registered, this status allows for benefits similar to those enjoyed by married couples, such as joint residency applications. However, it’s important to note that this status does not offer inheritance rights or the ability to make end-of-life decisions for your partner.
One of the advantages of Pareja de Hecho is that it’s simpler and less expensive to dissolve than a marriage. To cancel the partnership, either partner (or both) simply needs to visit a notary. Additionally, unlike a divorce, there is no dissolution of shared assets—each partner keeps the assets they had before entering the partnership.
If you think becoming a Pareja de Hecho is right for you and your partner, we are here to help guide you through the process.