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🇪🇸

Spain

Capital: Madrid

Last verified: 2026-02-20

Fees, fines, and deadlines are approximate and may change. Always verify with official sources.

Key Registrations & Procedures

Municipal Registration (Empadronamiento)

Town Hall (Ayuntamiento)

Deadline: Register as soon as you establish residence. No specific day limit but required for all other procedures.
Processing Time: Same day. Certificado de empadronamiento issued immediately.
💰Fees: Free
📅Appointment: Required in major cities (Madrid, Barcelona). Walk-in in smaller towns.
Required Documents:
  • Valid passport or EU/EEA national ID card
  • Proof of address — rental contract (contrato de alquiler), property deed, or utility bill in your name
  • If living with someone: their authorization + their ID copy + proof of their address
  • Completed registration form (Hoja Padronal — available at the Ayuntamiento)
  • All household members must be present or provide written authorization
Where to Do It:

Oficina de Atención al Ciudadano at your Ayuntamiento (town hall). Madrid: multiple OAC offices per district. Barcelona: Oficines d'Atenció Ciutadana (OAC). Book online via sede electrónica of your municipality.

If You Don't Do It:

No direct fine, but the Empadronamiento is the gateway document in Spain. Without it, you CANNOT get a NIE, access healthcare, enroll children in school, or prove residency. It is the single most important document for expats.

Regional Variations: Each municipality manages its own padron. Procedures and documents required vary slightly. Some municipalities require rental contract registration with Agencia Tributaria.
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NIE / Registration Certificate (Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la UE)

National Police — Foreigners Office (Oficina de Extranjería)

Deadline: Must obtain within 3 months of arrival. The NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is assigned during this process.
Processing Time: NIE green card issued on the day of appointment. Processing: same day.
💰Fees: €12 (pay via Modelo 790-012 form at any bank before your appointment)
📅Appointment: Appointment mandatory — book online at sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es. EXTREMELY difficult to get appointments in Madrid and Barcelona — use alertabot tools or check daily.
Required Documents:
  • Valid passport or EU/EEA national ID card + photocopy
  • Completed EX-18 form (Solicitud de Certificado de Registro — download from extranjeros.inclusion.gob.es)
  • Empadronamiento certificate (certificado de empadronamiento — less than 3 months old)
  • Proof of employment (contrato de trabajo + alta en Seguridad Social) OR proof of self-employment (alta en autónomos) OR proof of sufficient funds (bank statement ~€600/month) and health insurance
  • Proof of Modelo 790-012 fee payment (€12 — pay at bank first, bring stamped receipt)
  • Passport-sized photo (1)
Where to Do It:

Oficina de Extranjería or Comisaría de Policía. Madrid: several locations including Calle García de Paredes and Aluche. Barcelona: Rambla de Guipúscoa and others. Appointment is by specific office — you must go to the one assigned.

If You Don't Do It:

Fines of approximately €500+ for residing over 3 months without registration. The NIE is needed for EVERYTHING in Spain: employment, banking, buying/renting property, phone contracts, utilities, healthcare, tax filing.

Regional Variations: Same national requirements but appointment availability and processing vary wildly by city. Coastal tourist areas can be easier than Madrid/Barcelona.
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Social Security Number (Número de Seguridad Social)

Social Security Treasury (Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social)

Deadline: Must obtain before starting employment
Processing Time: Same day if applied in person. Employer can register you online.
💰Fees: Free
📅Appointment: Walk-in or appointment at TGSS offices. Employers can register online via Sistema RED.
Required Documents:
  • Valid passport or ID card
  • NIE (or registration certificate)
  • Employment contract
  • Completed TA.1 form (Solicitud de Afiliación — available at TGSS office or online)
Where to Do It:

Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social offices. Available in every city. Madrid: multiple offices per district. Can also be handled by employer via Sistema RED online.

If You Don't Do It:

May not be able to be formally employed. Employer faces heavy fines for unregistered workers. Without SS number, no access to public healthcare (SIP card) or unemployment benefits.

Regional Variations: National system. Same rules everywhere. Each province has TGSS offices.
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