Guide: Country Move Paths
Moving to Spain from the EU: First 90 Days for Registration, Healthcare, and Tax
A first-90-days checklist for EU citizens relocating to Spain, including registration, healthcare access, and tax setup.
As an EU citizen, you have the right to live and work in Spain without a visa. But "no visa required" does not mean "no paperwork required." You still need to register, prove you can support yourself, and set up healthcare and tax residency within specific deadlines.
The good news: the process is faster and cheaper than for non-EU citizens. The bad news: EU citizens often underestimate the admin and miss deadlines because they assume everything is automatic.
This guide covers exactly what to do in your first 90 days, in the right order.
iEU, EEA, and Swiss citizens
This guide applies to citizens of all EU member states, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway (EEA), and Switzerland. The rights and registration process are essentially the same.
Before you arrive
You do not need a visa, but you should have a few things sorted before you board the plane.
Checklist
- Valid passport or national ID card (either works for EU citizens)
- Proof of income or employment (contract, payslips, savings, or pension)
- European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for interim healthcare coverage
- Accommodation arranged (rental, hotel, or a friend's address for initial registration)
- Basic documents: birth certificate, marriage certificate if applicable (no apostille needed for EU documents with multilingual EU standard forms)
Unlike non-EU citizens, you do not need apostilles, sworn translations (for standard EU multilingual forms), health insurance policies for visa purposes, or FBI-style background checks. This significantly reduces your preparation time.
Week 1: Empadronamiento (padron registration)
Your first task after arriving is to register on the padron municipal at your local town hall (Ayuntamiento). This is the municipal census and it is the foundation for almost everything else.
What you need
- Passport or national ID card
- Rental contract, property deed, or a letter from your host if staying with someone (some municipalities require the host to be present)
- Empadronamiento application form (available at the town hall or online)
What to expect
- In smaller towns, you can often walk in. In Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia, you will need an appointment (cita previa).
- The certificate (certificado de empadronamiento) is usually issued on the spot.
- There is no fee.
!Do this first
Almost every subsequent step — NIE registration, healthcare, bank accounts — requires your empadronamiento certificate. Do not skip ahead.
Weeks 2-4: Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Union (EU Registration Certificate)
If you plan to stay in Spain for more than 3 months, you are legally required to register and obtain your green certificate (Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Union Europea). This includes your NIE number.
What you need
- EX-18 form (application for EU citizen registration)
- Passport or national ID (original + copy)
- Empadronamiento certificate
- Proof that you meet one of these conditions:
- Employed: Work contract or employer letter + Social Security registration
- Self-employed: Alta in autónomo regime + tax registration
- Sufficient resources: Bank statements showing you can support yourself (there is no fixed threshold, but roughly €600/month per person is a common reference) + health insurance
- Student: Enrollment proof + health insurance + financial means declaration
- Tasa 790-012 fee (~€12, paid at a bank beforehand)
How to get the appointment
Book a cita previa at sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es. Select your province and look for "Certificados UE." Appointments in major cities can be scarce — check daily, early in the morning.
What you get
A green A4 paper certificate with your NIE number. This is your proof of legal residence in Spain. Unlike non-EU citizens, you do not receive a TIE card — the green certificate is your document.
+Keep it safe
The green certificate is flimsy and not laminated. Many expats get it laminated immediately or keep a clear photo on their phone. Some banks and services may not recognise it at first because it looks unofficial. Be patient and persistent.
Weeks 2-4: Open a bank account
You will need a Spanish bank account for rent payments, utilities, and receiving salary.
What you need
- Passport or national ID
- NIE number (from your green certificate) — some banks accept the empadronamiento as interim proof
- Proof of address (empadronamiento certificate)
- Proof of income or employment (some banks require this, others do not)
Bank options
- Traditional banks: CaixaBank, Santander, BBVA, Sabadell. Most have English-speaking staff in major cities. Monthly fees typically range from €0 to €8.
- Online banks: Openbank (Santander's digital brand), N26, Revolut. Easier to open, but some landlords and employers prefer a Spanish IBAN from a traditional bank.
+Open early
Some banks will open an account with just your passport and empadronamiento, before you have your NIE. Ask specifically — policies vary by branch.
Weeks 2-6: Healthcare registration
As an EU citizen, your healthcare path depends on your employment status.
If you are employed
Your employer registers you with the Spanish Social Security system (Seguridad Social). You will receive a Social Security number (NUSS) and can then register at your local centro de salud (health centre) to get a TSI (Tarjeta Sanitaria Individual) — your health card.
If you are self-employed (autonomo)
You register yourself with Social Security when you sign up as autónomo. After that, register at your centro de salud for your TSI.
If you are not working
You have several options:
- EHIC card: Your European Health Insurance Card covers emergency and necessary care temporarily, but it is not a substitute for full Spanish healthcare registration.
- Convenio especial: A monthly payment (~€60 for under-65s, ~€157 for over-65s) that gives you full access to the public healthcare system.
- Private health insurance: Plans from Sanitas, Adeslas, or Asisa typically cost €50-€150/month depending on age and coverage.
- S1 form: If you receive a state pension from another EU country, request an S1 form from your home country's health authority. This lets Spain bill your home country for your healthcare.
Step-by-step main guidance
- Get your Social Security number — Visit a Seguridad Social office (Tesoreria General) with your passport, NIE, and empadronamiento. Or your employer does this for you.
- Register at your centro de salud — Go to your nearest public health centre with your Social Security number, NIE, and empadronamiento. They assign you a GP.
- Receive your TSI card — Your health card (TSI or SIP depending on the region) arrives by post in 2-4 weeks, or you can often download a digital version.
Month 2-3: Tax setup
Tax residency
If you spend more than 183 days in Spain in a calendar year, you become a Spanish tax resident and must declare worldwide income. Key actions:
- Get a digital certificate — Apply for the FNMT digital certificate at sede.fnmt.gob.es. This lets you file taxes, check Social Security status, and interact with Spanish government agencies online. You will need your NIE to complete the process.
- Notify your home country — Deregister as a tax resident in your home country to avoid double taxation complications. The process varies by country.
- Understand the tax calendar — Spanish income tax returns are filed between April and June for the previous year. Your first filing will cover the partial year from your arrival date.
If you are self-employed
You must register as autónomo with the tax agency (Agencia Tributaria) and Social Security before you start working. The flat-rate scheme for new autónomos is €80/month for the first 12 months (as of 2026), making it relatively affordable to get started.
You will also need to file quarterly VAT returns (Modelo 303) and income tax payments (Modelo 130).
Month 3: Driving licence
Your EU driving licence is valid in Spain indefinitely — you do not need to exchange it. However, you must update your address with the DGT (Direccion General de Trafico) once you are a resident. Some regions also require you to register your licence in their system.
If your licence expires while you are in Spain, you renew it through the DGT rather than your home country.
Common mistakes
- Skipping empadronamiento because "I'm EU, I don't need it." You do. It is legally required and gates almost everything else.
- Waiting too long for the green certificate — You have 3 months, but appointments can take weeks to get. Start booking in week 1.
- Assuming healthcare is automatic — EU freedom of movement gives you the right to access healthcare, but you still need to register. Without a TSI card, you may face billing issues at hospitals.
- Not deregistering from your home country's tax system — This can result in being taxed in two countries simultaneously.
- Ignoring the digital certificate — Many Spanish government services are online-only. Without the FNMT certificate, you will struggle with tax filings, Social Security checks, and official queries.
Find English-friendly jobs in Spain
As an EU citizen you can work in Spain without a permit. SpainJobs.io lists 2,600+ English-friendly roles across Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and more.
Browse jobs on SpainJobs.ioWhat to do this week
- Book your accommodation — Even a short-term rental gives you an address for empadronamiento.
- Get your EHIC card if you do not have one — It covers you during the transition.
- Gather your documents — Passport/ID, proof of income or employment, and any family certificates you might need.
- Check appointment availability — Look at cita previa slots for empadronamiento and NIE registration in your target city. If slots are scarce, consider arriving in a smaller nearby town first.
- Open an online bank account — N26 or Revolut with a Spanish IBAN can bridge the gap while you wait for a traditional account.