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NIE, TIE, padrón, EU registration, visas, and residency.
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Not legal advice. Always verify with official sources before filing.
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EU/EEA/Swiss registration certificate in Spain
EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens staying in Spain over 3 months usually need the Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión.
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National procedure · office availability can vary by province
EU registration: your filing card
Use this as the practical filing checklist if you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen who will live in Spain for more than three months. Your qualifying evidence still depends on whether you work, study, are self-employed, retired or rely on sufficient resources.
Procedure
Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión Europea — application form EX-18.
Where to go
Apply in person at the competent Oficina de Extranjería in your province or, where the procedure is handled there, the corresponding Policía Nacional office.
What to select
Where the Policía Cita Previa menu is used, look for “POLICIA - CERTIFICADO DE REGISTRO DE CIUDADANO DE LA U.E.” Do not choose NIE assignment or a TIE appointment instead.
Forms and fee
Prepare EX-18 and proof of payment of Modelo 790, código 012. Check the current official fee before paying rather than relying on an old amount.
Bring
- Valid passport or national identity document
- Completed EX-18
- Modelo 790 código 012 payment proof
- Evidence for your qualifying route: work, self-employment, study, retirement or sufficient resources
- Healthcare evidence when your qualifying route requires it
- Any additional documents requested by the office handling your appointment
What happens after
If the requirements are met, the official procedure provides for the registration certificate to be issued at the filing. Keep it with your other Spain documents and continue with the practical setup steps that apply to you.
Official source checked:
EU Registration Certificate
What it is: EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens who plan to live in Spain for more than three months must register and obtain the Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión — commonly called the "green NIE" because it shows your NIE number on a small green document. It is not a TIE card.
What you need to show: You need to show you can support yourself: through work, sufficient funds, or study with health cover.
How the process runs: Have your EX-18 form, NIE, padrón certificate, and proof of means ready before the appointment. The fee is 12.00 EUR via Modelo 790-012.
Practical note: If you do not yet have a NIE, confirm with your local office whether they assign it during this registration or require a separate step first — practice varies by province. If you are working, an employment contract, Social Security alta, or autónomo registration is normally your proof of means, so you usually do not also need separate savings or private health cover. On the Policía cita previa menu choose “POLICIA - CERTIFICADO DE REGISTRO DE CIUDADANO DE LA U.E.”, not NIE assignment or a TIE appointment. Confirm the current 790-012 fee before paying (it has been 12.00 EUR). If the requirements are met, the certificate is issued at the filing.
Requirements can vary by personal situation and may change. Always verify with official sources.
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.
- Immigration appointment confirmation.
- 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
Appointments and fees
Identity and residence
Digital access
Residence routes
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: July 2026