Your friendly guide to Spanish paperwork.

What do you need help with?

This is not legal advice. It is only here to help you understand what you might need before checking official sources.

Moving to Spain

Residency, EU registration, visas, work, study, family, and long-stay paperwork.

Visas EU registration Study Family

Vacation in Spain

Short visits, Schengen entry rules, 90-day planning, and when no residence paperwork is needed.

Short stay Schengen rules No residence filing

Living in Spain

Padrón, NIE, TIE, digital access, Social Security, and everyday administration.

Padrón NIE TIE Social Security Digital access
Plain-language next steps Spanish government links Spain-wide guidance
1. Status 2. Goal 3. Result
Are you?
What are you trying to do?
Who are you joining in Spain?
How long do you plan to stay?

Your roadmap will appear here

Choose a situation card or answer the questions above to see a Spain-wide route.

Documents that often slow people down

Identity and civil records

  • Valid passport or EU national ID.
  • Birth, marriage, or partnership records where relevant.
  • Legalization or Hague apostille for many foreign public documents.
  • Sworn Spanish translations when documents are not accepted as-is.

Spain-side basics

  • Address in Spain and, when requested, padrón certificate.
  • Appointment confirmation from the official cita previa system.
  • Correct EX form for your procedure.
  • Paid tasa receipt, often Modelo 790 with the matching code.

Money, health, purpose

  • Proof of economic means for routes that require it.
  • Health insurance or public coverage proof where required.
  • School admission, remote-work evidence, family link, or permit approval.
  • Criminal record certificate for some visas and residence routes.

Not every document applies to every route. The guide should help you narrow this down.

Official sources

This app is a planning guide, not legal advice. Spanish immigration and administration rules, document lists, fees, and appointment labels can change. Always verify your procedure with official sources before filing.

Last reviewed: June 2026