Spain
Capital: Madrid
Recently updated
Fees, fines, and deadlines are approximate and may change. Always verify with official sources before acting.
Key Registrations & Procedures
NIE Number (Numero de Identidad de Extranjero)
MANDATORYEU + Non-EUThe NIE (Numero de Identidad de Extranjero) is Spain's foreigner identification number, formatted as X-0000000-X. Every legal, tax, and financial transaction in Spain requires it. EU citizens receive their NIE printed directly on the green EU Registration Certificate (Certificado de Registro). Non-EU citizens receive theirs through the TIE residence card (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero). Applications are made at a National Police station (Comisaria de Policia Nacional) with a foreigner affairs unit, or at a Spanish consulate before arrival.
- Valid passport (original + photocopy)
- Completed EX-15 application form (for NIE without residence)
- Proof of the reason for requesting NIE (employment contract, property purchase, bank requirement letter, etc.)
- Modelo 790/012 tax form with proof of payment
- Passport-sized photo (some offices require it)
Local Oficina de Extranjeros or designated Policia Nacional station. Madrid: Calle Pradillo 40. Barcelona: Carrer de Bergara 3.
Without an NIE you cannot legally work, open a bank account, sign a rental contract, buy property, or register a vehicle in Spain.
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Municipal Registration (Empadronamiento)
MANDATORYEU + Non-EURegistering at your local town hall (Ayuntamiento) in the Municipal Register (Padron Municipal) is required within three months of arrival. The certificate it produces (Certificado de Empadronamiento) is required for school enrolment, healthcare access, voting, and most government applications. It is also frequently requested by banks and landlords as proof of address.
- Valid passport or EU national ID card (original + photocopy)
- NIE (if already obtained)
- Proof of address: signed rental contract or property deed, or signed letter from the owner if staying with others (plus owner's ID)
- Completed empadronamiento form (available at Ayuntamiento)
Your local Ayuntamiento (town hall). Madrid: Oficina de Empadronamiento. Barcelona: Oficina d'Atencio Ciutadana.
Without empadronamiento you cannot access Spanish public healthcare (except emergencies), enroll children in school, apply for Social Security, or vote in local elections as an EU resident.
EU Registration Certificate (Certificado de Registro - Green NIE)
MANDATORYEU Citizens OnlyThe Certificado de Registro is the official residence certificate for EU and EEA citizens, confirming the right of free movement in Spain. It is informally known as the Green NIE because of the green paper it was historically printed on, and it contains the holder's NIE number. Required for employment, banking, and tax registration, it is applied for at the Foreigners' Office (Oficina de Extranjeria) or at a National Police station.
- Valid passport or EU national ID card (original + photocopy)
- Completed EX-18 form
- Empadronamiento certificate (or proof of registration at Ayuntamiento)
- Modelo 790/012 tax form with proof of payment
- Proof of employment or self-employment, or proof of sufficient financial means and private health insurance
- Passport-sized photo
Local Oficina de Extranjeros or designated Policia Nacional station.
EU citizens residing more than 3 months without registering are technically in breach of Spanish immigration law. The certificate is required for bank accounts, rentals, and legal transactions.
Social Security Number (Numero de Afiliacion a la Seguranca Social)
MANDATORYEU + Non-EUThe social security affiliation number (Numero de Afiliacion a la Seguridad Social) is required for employment, access to public healthcare, and receipt of social benefits including unemployment pay, sick leave, and pensions. Employees are enrolled automatically by their employer and have no separate step to take. Self-employed persons (autonomos) must register directly with the General Treasury of Social Security (Tesoreria General de la Seguridad Social, TGSS) before starting any professional activity.
- Valid passport or EU national ID card
- NIE number
- Empadronamiento certificate (dated within last 3 months)
- Employment contract or proof of self-employment (Modelo TA.0521 for autonomos)
- Completed Modelo TA.1 application form
Online via Import@ss (import@ss.seg-social.es) with Cl@ve credentials. Or in person at local TGSS office.
Working without a Social Security Number means contributions are not registered, leaving you without pension rights, unemployment benefits, sick pay, or maternity/paternity entitlements.
Health Card (Tarjeta Sanitaria Individual - TSI)
MANDATORYEU + Non-EUThe individual health card (Tarjeta Sanitaria Individual) grants access to Spain's public healthcare system (Sistema Nacional de Salud). It is issued by your regional health authority following social security registration and assigns you a primary care doctor and health centre. No public health service can be accessed without it.
- Valid passport or EU national ID card
- NIE or EU Registration Certificate
- Empadronamiento certificate
- Social Security Number or affiliation certificate
Your local Centro de Salud (health centre) in the area covered by your empadronamiento. Ask at the admin desk to register and choose a general practitioner (medico de cabecera).
Without the TSI you cannot access subsidised GP visits, specialist referrals, or prescribed medications at reduced prices.
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Autonomo Registration (RETA - Regimen Especial de Trabajadores Autonomos)
MANDATORYEU + Non-EUSelf-employed persons (autonomos) in Spain must register with two separate authorities: the TGSS (Tesoreria General de la Seguridad Social) for mandatory RETA social contributions, and the Tax Agency (Agencia Tributaria) for tax purposes using form Modelo 036 or 037. Spain's 2023 quota reform made RETA contributions income-based. New autonomos benefit from a reduced starting rate (tarifa plana) of EUR 80 per month for the first 12 months. RETA contributions cover healthcare, sick pay, maternity and paternity benefits, and pension entitlements.
- NIE number
- Valid identity document
- Spanish address (Empadronamiento certificate)
- Spanish bank account (IBAN for direct debit of contributions)
- Description of business activity (CNAE code)
- Tax identification and Modelo 036 or 037 (census registration with Agencia Tributaria)
Register with TGSS for RETA at sede.seg-social.gob.es (online) or any TGSS office. Simultaneously file Modelo 036 or 037 with the Agencia Tributaria to register for tax purposes. Both registrations are required - RETA alone is not sufficient.
Operating as self-employed without RETA registration is a serious offence. Back-contributions are charged from the first day of undeclared activity plus surcharges of 20-35%. The Agencia Tributaria independently tracks invoicing activity through the SII (Suministro Inmediato de Informacion) system - undeclared self-employment is easily detected.
Student Visa (Visado de Estudios) and TIE Student Card - Non-EU Students Only
MANDATORYNon-EU Citizens OnlyNon-EU students studying in Spain for more than 90 days must obtain a student visa (Visado de Estudios) before arrival and then apply for a student TIE card (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) after arriving in Spain. Spanish student visa holders may work part-time up to 30 hours per week without a separate work permit, one of the more generous allowances in the EU.
- Valid passport (minimum 1 year validity beyond intended stay)
- Acceptance letter from an accredited Spanish educational institution
- Proof of tuition fee payment
- Proof of sufficient funds (approximately EUR 600/month)
- Health insurance valid in Spain with no copayments (convenio especial or private policy)
- Proof of accommodation in Spain
- Academic qualifications (apostilled and translated if not in Spanish)
- NIE number
- Empadronamiento (municipal registration)
Apply for the student visa at the Spanish embassy or consulate in your country. After arriving in Spain, complete Empadronamiento, obtain your NIE, and then apply for the TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) for students at your local Oficina de Extranjeria or a Comisaria de Policia Nacional with a foreigners unit.
Staying in Spain beyond your student visa validity without a TIE is an immigration offence. Students with a valid TIE can work part-time (up to 30 hours/week) without a separate work permit.
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Spanish Bank Account (Cuenta Bancaria)
GOOD TO HAVEEU + Non-EUA Spanish bank account with an ES IBAN is required for salary payments, utility direct debits, and Agencia Tributaria tax refunds. ING Espana is generally the most accessible option for new arrivals, with no minimum income requirement and no monthly maintenance fees. CaixaBank and Santander offer the widest branch and ATM networks across the country.
- Valid identity document (passport or EU ID)
- NIE number
- Proof of Spanish address
- Spanish phone number
Any Spanish bank branch. ING Espana is the most accessible for English speakers and non-residents. CaixaBank and Santander have the widest networks.
No legal penalty but a Spanish IBAN is required for salary payments (SEPA), utility contracts, rental agreements, and Agencia Tributaria (tax) refunds.
TIE Card (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero)
OPTIONALNon-EU Citizens OnlyThe TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) is the biometric residence card for non-EU citizens in Spain, confirming legal right of residence and, depending on the permit type, the right to work. It contains the NIE number and replaces the physical residence stamp in the passport. Applications are submitted at the Foreigners' Office (Oficina de Extranjeria) after arrival in Spain.
- Valid passport (original + photocopy of all pages with stamps)
- Visa or residence authorisation letter (original)
- Completed EX-17 application form
- Certificado de Empadronamiento (dated within last 3 months)
- Modelo 790 codigo 012 - paid and bank-stamped (pay at any Spanish bank before the appointment)
- 1-2 recent passport-sized photos (white background, 32x26mm)
- Proof of the right to reside: employment contract, university enrollment, or other supporting document
Local Oficina de Extranjeros or designated Policia Nacional station. Madrid: Calle Pradillo 40. Barcelona: Carrer de Bergara 3.
Residing in Spain as a non-EU national without a valid TIE is an immigration offence. Without a TIE you cannot open a bank account, sign a rental contract, or access most Spanish services.
Tax Registration (Modelo 030 / AEAT)
OPTIONALEU + Non-EUCensus registration with the Spanish Tax Agency (Agencia Tributaria) is completed using form Modelo 030. It is required for self-employed individuals, those with non-employment income, and anyone who must file a Spanish income tax return (IRPF). Employees are registered automatically through payroll and do not need to submit the form separately.
- Valid passport or EU national ID card
- NIE number
- Certificado de Empadronamiento
- Completed Modelo 030 form (available at agenciatributaria.gob.es)
Online at agenciatributaria.gob.es using Cl@ve PIN, digital certificate, or in person at local AEAT office.
Failure to register and file income tax as a Spanish tax resident can result in penalties of 50-150% of unpaid tax plus interest.
Driving Licence Exchange
OPTIONALNon-EU Citizens OnlyEU and EEA driving licences are valid in Spain without any exchange requirement. Non-EU licence holders must exchange their licence within six months of obtaining their NIE and establishing residence. The process is managed by the Directorate General of Traffic (Direccion General de Trafico, DGT) and may require a medical and psychotechnical examination, depending on the country of origin. Some countries benefit from bilateral exchange agreements that simplify or waive these requirements.
- Valid non-EU driving licence (original)
- Certified translation into Spanish if not in Spanish or issued under the Vienna Convention
- NIE number
- Empadronamiento (municipal registration) certificate
- Biometric passport photo
- Medical and psychotechnical certificate
- Completed application form
Your local DGT Jefatura Provincial de Trafico. Find your nearest office at dgt.es.
After 6 months your non-EU licence is no longer valid in Spain. Driving without a valid licence risks fines of EUR 200-500, vehicle immobilisation, and insurance invalidity.
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