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Documents and preparation

Documents Checklist for Moving to Spain

A practical guide to the documents you may need before and after arriving in Spain, so you can prepare early and avoid unnecessary delays.

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Quick Answer

The documents you may need depend on your nationality, residency route and local procedure. Many newcomers prepare identity documents, proof of income, healthcare documents, accommodation documents and copies. Some foreign documents may need translation or legalisation. It is usually better to prepare early than wait until the appointment.

At a Glance

Main ideaPrepare identity, income, healthcare, address and appointment documents early when they apply to your route.
Not universalNot everyone needs every document on this checklist.
Local variationRequirements may vary by municipality, office and appointment type.
Foreign documentsSome documents may need official translation, legalisation or apostille.
CopiesKeep originals, paper copies and secure digital scans where possible.

Who this guide is for

EU citizens moving to Spain

Use this to prepare common documents before padrón, healthcare and EU registration steps.

Non-EU residents

Use this as a general preparation list alongside the requirements for your specific residence route.

Family members

Use this if family status, certificates or supporting documents may be part of your route.

Workers

Use this if employment documents, income proof or Social Security steps may be relevant.

Retirees

Use this if pension, healthcare or income evidence may support your move.

Students

Use this if enrolment, healthcare and accommodation documents may be needed.

Self-employed people

Use this if tax, Social Security, income or activity evidence may be part of your setup.

People preparing admin steps

Use this if you are preparing for padrón, healthcare, banking or residency appointments.

Common documents to prepare

Document checklist

  • Passport or national ID
  • Birth certificate, if relevant
  • Marriage certificate, if relevant
  • Proof of address
  • Rental contract or accommodation document
  • Employment contract, if applicable
  • Proof of income or savings
  • Healthcare insurance or entitlement documents
  • School or university enrolment, if applicable
  • Pension certificate, if applicable
  • Criminal record certificate, if required for your route
  • Passport photos, if required
  • Appointment confirmations
  • Paid fee forms
  • Copies of all important documents
Not everyone needs every item

Use this as a preparation checklist, not a legal list. Your exact documents depend on your route, appointment and local office.

Documents for EU citizens

Identity

Passport or national ID is usually the starting point.

EX-18, where applicable

EU registration may involve the EX-18 form, depending on the procedure.

Route evidence

You may need proof of work, self-employment, studies, retirement or sufficient resources.

Healthcare proof

Healthcare proof can depend on whether you work, study, retire, use S1, have private insurance or use another recognised route.

Fee proof

Modelo 790-012 fee proof may be needed for EU Registration Certificate appointments.

Padrón certificate

A padrón certificate may be requested locally, depending on the office and situation.

Important

Requirements can vary by office and situation. Check the current appointment requirements before attending.

Documents for non-EU citizens

Visa or authorisation

You may need visa or residence authorisation documents for your route.

Passport

A valid passport is usually central to non-EU immigration and residence procedures.

TIE appointment

A TIE appointment confirmation may be needed for card-related steps.

Relevant EX form

The relevant EX form depends on the specific procedure.

Photos and fee payment

Passport-style photos and official fee payment may be required.

Address and supporting documents

Proof of address and route-specific supporting documents may be requested.

Introductory only

Non-EU routes vary significantly. Use the official requirements for your specific visa or residence procedure.

Housing and padrón documents

Address evidence you may need

  • Rental contract
  • Property deed, if owner
  • Landlord authorisation, if applicable
  • ID copy of the person authorising registration, if applicable
  • Utility bill, if requested locally
Important

Padrón document rules vary by municipality. Check your town hall requirements before the appointment.

Healthcare documents

Private health insurance

A private health insurance certificate may be needed for some routes.

S1 form

An S1 form may be relevant for some pensioners or cross-border healthcare routes.

Work or Social Security

Employment or Social Security registration may support some public healthcare routes.

Regional health service documents

Regional health services may request their own forms or confirmations.

Identity and NIE

Passport, national ID or NIE may be requested depending on the process.

Padrón certificate

A padrón certificate may be required for local health-centre registration.

Use the Healthcare in Spain Guide to compare healthcare routes before preparing documents.

Bank and financial documents

Identity

Passport or national ID is commonly requested.

NIE, if available

Some banks may ask for a NIE if you already have one.

Address

Proof of address may be requested depending on the bank and account type.

Income

Employment contract, payslips, proof of income or savings may be requested.

Tax information

Banks may ask for tax residency information.

Residency documents

A residency certificate or card may be requested if available.

Use the Opening a Bank Account Guide to prepare bank-specific documents.

Translations, apostilles and copies

Official translation

Some foreign documents may need an official translation.

Legalisation or apostille

Some documents may need legalisation or apostille, depending on the procedure and country of issue.

Procedure-specific rules

Do not assume the same translation or apostille rule applies to every appointment.

Originals and copies

Bring originals and copies when possible, unless the appointment instructions say otherwise.

Secure scans

Keep digital scans in a secure place so you can find them quickly.

Check expiry dates

Some documents may need to be recent or valid on the appointment date.

Common Mistakes

1

Assuming one checklist fits everyone.

2

Forgetting copies.

3

Relying only on phone screenshots.

4

Not checking document expiry dates.

5

Not preparing translations early.

6

Bringing documents that are not accepted locally.

7

Losing appointment confirmations.

8

Not keeping proof of fee payment.

9

Assuming padrón requirements are the same everywhere.

Real Questions People Ask

Do I need originals or copies?

Often you should bring originals and copies where possible. Check the appointment instructions because some procedures may keep copies or ask to see originals.

Do foreign documents need translation?

Some may need official translation, depending on the document, procedure and country of issue. Check before the appointment.

Do I need an apostille?

Some foreign documents may need legalisation or apostille. The answer depends on the country of issue and the procedure.

Can I use digital copies?

Digital scans are useful for your records, but many appointments may still ask for originals or paper copies.

Which documents should I bring from my home country?

Identity documents, civil-status certificates, education or work documents, pension evidence, criminal-record certificates and healthcare documents may be harder to obtain after moving.

Do EU citizens need the same documents as non-EU citizens?

No. EU and non-EU routes are different, and requirements also vary by situation.

Should I prepare documents before arriving in Spain?

Usually yes, if they are likely to apply to your route. Some documents are easier to collect, translate or legalise before you move.

Your Next Step

View the EU Citizen Roadmap View the Settling Into Spain Guide View the Finding Accommodation Guide View the Padrón Guide View the Healthcare in Spain Guide View the EU Registration Guide
Tip

Make one folder for originals, one for copies and one secure digital folder. Name files clearly by document type and date.

Scope Notice

This guide provides general information for Spain. Some procedures and supporting documents may vary by province or municipality.

Official Sources

Policía Nacional

Policía Nacional

Policía Nacional e-office — general appointment and registration portal referenced throughout this checklist.

Spanish Government

Apostille and legalisation

Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores — official information on legalisation and apostille of foreign documents.

Source status

These links go to official websites. Official details can change, so always confirm current requirements directly with the official source.

Legal Disclaimer

This guide is practical information, not legal, tax, immigration, financial or rental advice. Requirements can vary by municipality, office, bank and personal situation. Always check the current official source or ask the relevant office before making decisions.

Last reviewed: July 2026

Official sources are linked on this page for further checking; content has not been verified against them by a qualified professional.