Certificate of registration as an EU national

What do you need to know?

There is a register listing individuals from a member state of the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA), or from Switzerland, who are going to stay in Spain for a period of more than three months. The act of registering grants the certificate of registration of EU citizens and thus confirms their status as residents.

The registration certificate issued must state the name, nationality, address, identity number for foreign nationals (NIE) and the citizen’s date of registration. The document is made of paper and is commonly called the green NIE due to its colour. 

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There is some confusion in the use of the terms NIE, certificate of registration as an EU national, and TIE. To clarify possible doubts, consult What's the NIE?

There is a high demand for appointments, so it may be difficult to get one the first time you try to apply. For this reason, it is recommended that you try to make an appointment as soon as you arrive in Spain.

Who does it apply to?

It applies to citizens of the EU, the EEA or Switzerland who plan to stay in Spain for more than three months.

What requirements must be met?

To register, citizens of the EU, the EEA or Switzerland must meet any of the following requirements:

• Be an employee in Spain.
• Be self-employed in Spain.
• Have sufficient resources for himself or herself and his or her family members, so as not to become a burden on Spain's welfare system during his or her period of residence. In this case, the following requirements must be met:
  • Being able to prove sufficient financial resources. The amount to be proved varies on an annual basis according to law on the general state budget.
  • Having health insurance taken out in Spain or another country that provides full cover in Spain.
• Be a student:
  • Have enrolled in a public or private institution. This must be recognised or funded by the education authorities for undertaking studies or vocational training.
  • Having health insurance taken out in Spain or another country that provides full cover in Spain.
  • Having made a statement of compliance attesting to the fact that they have sufficient resources for themselves and their family members so as not to become a burden on Spain's welfare system during their period of residence.
• Be a national of a member state or a family member accompanying or joining a citizen of the European Union or the European Economic Area, meeting any of the above conditions. The family member may be:
  • If you are a student:
    • Spouse or registered unmarried partner
    • Dependent children of the student and his or her spouse or partner
  • In all other cases:
    • Spouse or registered unmarried partner
    • Direct descendants and those of your spouse or partner, under 21 years of age, disabled or over 21 years of age and living under your care
    • Directly dependent relatives in the ascending line or those of your spouse or registered partner

Family members whose means of financial support is provided by the EU citizen will be understood to be dependants and to need material assistance to cover their basic needs. This dependence must arise in the country of origin.

How long is it valid for?

This register does not expire.

What do you need to do?

This formality can only be completed in person at the relevant police station.

Remember that family members accompanying you on your journey or joining you must also apply for registration in the central register of foreign nationals, provided they meet the specified requirements.

What steps must you follow?

IN PERSON

Step 1: Obtain a social security number and register (if required to do so)

• After your arrival in Spain and before beginning your work activity, you must register with the social security system by requesting your social security number and registration in the system. If you are not going to work (because you are a student, for example), this step is not necessary.

Step 2: Fill in form and gather the required documentation.

• You must download, fill in and sign the official application for for the certificate of registration as an EU national EX-18 form in duplicate.
• Before the application period begins, consult and prepare the documentation that you will be asked for to obtain the certificate.

Step 3: Request an appointment online

To apply for the certificate you must request an appointment to submit the documents at the relevant police station.

To make an appointment, you must go to the Government website and follow the steps below:

• In “PROVINCIAS DISPONIBLES”, select Barcelona and click on “Acceptar”.
• In the field “TRÁMITES CUERPO NACIONAL DE POLICÍA”, select the option “POLICIA- CERTIFICADO DE REGISTRO DE CIUDADANO DE LA UE”.
• Carefully read the information provided and click on "Acceptar".
• Fill in the requested personal data and click on "Solicitar cita".
• Follow the instructions given and make your appointment according to the dates and places available.
• You will receive a confirmation of the appointment by e-mail. You can also consult or cancel the appointment obtained from the same web page by entering your personal data again as if you wanted to request a new appointment.

To obtain information on the immigration office’s address, telephone numbers and opening hours, please check the Police Stations  webpage.

Step 4: Pay the fee for the formality

• You must pay the fee before the appointment, as you will have to provide proof of payment. 
• To be able to pay the relevant fee (form 790 Code 012), fill in the fields of the form (indicating the method of payment), download it and print it.
• The form allows payment to be made in cash (by depositing the fee at a bank in a Public Treasury account) or by direct debit from a current account (whose number you will have to provide).
• Some banks will not accept payment of the fee if the identity number for foreign nationals (NIE) is not provided as personal identification and only the passport number is included. In such cases, you can try going to another financial institution.

Step 5: Go to the place indicated and hand over the documentation

• Go to the place indicated where you have made an appointment to submit the documentation. 

Step 6: Receive your registration certificate on the spot

Once the fee has been paid and after verifying the requirements and documentation, the registration certificate will be issued on the spot, stating your name, nationality, address, identity number for foreign nationals (NIE) and date of registration.

Who can apply?

It must be applied for in person by a citizen of the EU, EEA or Switzerland.

What documentation is needed?

In general, you must provide the original and a copy of the documents.

General documentation

• Proof of appointment.
• Official application (form EX-18) in duplicate, duly completed and signed.
• Proof of payment of the fee.
• Valid passport or national identity document. In the event that it has expired, a copy of the passport and the renewal application must be provided.
• Documentation providing evidence of registration in the municipal register of residents of the city of Barcelona (alta al padró d'habitants).

Specific documentation (depending on the circumstances of the applicant)

• If you are or are going to be an employee, you must have at least one of the following documents:
  • Employer's statement of hiring or employment certificate. At a minimum, the company name and address details, tax identification code and social security contribution account number must be included.
  • Employment contract registered with the Public Employment Service, or notification of the contract and its conditions over the CONTRAT@ platform.
  • Document of registration, or a situation similar to registration, in the relevant social security scheme (provided by the hiring company) or consent to the verification of the data.

• If you are an employee hired by an EU company and posted to Spain, you must provide any of the following documents:
  • Copy of the employment contract with the company of origin.
  • Copy of the last three payslips.
  • Certificate of cover (A.1) certifying that the person concerned is still paying social security contributions in their country of origin.
  • Certificate/form E-106/S.1 showing that you are entitled to Spanish public healthcare during your stay in Spain.
• If you are self-employed, you may provide any of the following documents:
  • Certificate of registration with the tax authorities.
  • Proof of establishment by means of registration in the Companies Register.
  • Document of registration, or a situation similar to registration, in the relevant social security scheme, or consent to the verification of the data.

• If you do not work in Spain, you must provide:
  • Documentation proving that you have health insurance taken out in Spain or in another country that provides full cover in Spain.
  • Documentation proving that you have sufficient resources for yourself and your family members for your period of residence in Spain.
• If you are a student, you must provide:
  • Enrolment in the educational establishment, whether public or private, recognised or financed by the competent education authority.
  • Documentation proving that you have health insurance taken out in Spain or in another country that provides full cover in Spain. You will be able to provide a European health insurance card with a validity that covers the period of residence and enables you to receive the necessary health benefits from a medical point of view.
  • Documentation proving that you have sufficient resources for yourself and your family members for your period of residence in Spain.
  • The presentation of documentation providing evidence of participation in an EU programme promoting educational exchange for students and teachers will be considered sufficient to meet these requirements.

• If you are a family member of an EU citizen, you must provide:
  • Documentation, legalised, where appropriate, certifying family ties with the EU citizen.
  • Documentation proving financial dependence.
  • Documentation proving that the family member giving you the right fulfils one of the following requirements:
  • Being an employee or self-employed.
  • Having sufficient financial means and health insurance.
  • Being a student, having sufficient means for himself or herself and his or her family members, as well as health insurance.

How long does it take?

The deadline for submission is three months from the date of arrival in Spain.

How much does it cost?

The fee is €12.

Want to know more?

Body responsible for the formality

National Police Corps (Ministry of the Interior, Government of Spain).

Further information?

You can consult the Government of Spain's Immigration Portal (available only in Spanish).

Important linked procedures

In order to apply for the certificate of registration as an EU national, it is essential to have completed the following formalities:

• Registration in the municipal register of residents of the city of Barcelona
• Obtaining a social security number and registration with the social security system (for workers)