CHECKLIST: Six essential documents you need when moving to Spain

Visa

If you’re from a non-EU country the first piece of paperwork you’ll need in order to move to Spain is a visa. This is typically pasted into your passport and you will also get the authorisation on paper. Some of the most common visas that will allow you to come and live in Spain are the digital nomad visa, the non-lucrative visa and the student visa. All of these have different requirements and documents of their own that you need to submit, including proof of finances to be able to support yourself here. This will allow you entry into the country on a non-tourist basis.

Residency card

Unfortunately, the visa isn’t the only document that you need when coming to settle here, this only allows you into the country. To prove that you can legally stay here you need to apply for a residency card within the first three months. If you’re from an EU country you will need to apply for your EU green residency certificate (Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión), while if you’re from outside the EU you will need to apply for your TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) or foreign residency card. Here’s everything you need to know about the TIE from how to apply, to the differences between the TIE and the NIE and what happens if you don’t renew your TIE.

Padrón certificate

Once you have officially moved to Spain, decided where you’re going to live and have sorted out either renting or buying a property, you will need to register with your local town hall or ayuntamiento. This is what’s known as the padrón certificate. It acts as a kind of census, but also your town hall gets a certain amount of funds depending on how many people are officially registered there. You many need your Padrón in order to get other documents involved with living in Spain, such as your health card.

Social security number

Being issued with a social security number in Spain is very important, particularly if you want access to the public health system, you are working or you’re self-employed or you want to have access to benefits in the future. If you’re employed by a company, they will be responsible for registering you with social security, but if you are self-employed, you will have to do it yourself and go to the offices. Once issued with a social security number, you will have to actually register with social security before you can start working.

Health card

If you have access to the public health system in Spain it means that you are paying social security. This will be because you are either employed by a company here or are self-employed. Sometimes you may be able to get public health care if you’re retired through the convenio especial for example. If you’re not paying into the social security system, you will most likely have to get private health insurance. If this is the case your insurer will explain how to get your health card and register with a doctor.

On the public system, however, you will have to go to your local health clinic and register. You will be assigned a GP and be sent a health card through the post, which you can use to make appointments and sign in when you arrive for them. This is also what receptionists will scan to find your medical records here. It’s typically called a TSI or SIP card depending on what region you live in.

Bank account registration

Paperwork showing that you have opened a bank account is essential for life in Spain. There are many companies that require you to have a Spanish account in order to pay them, such as utility companies. If you’re employed by a Spanish company, it’s likely your employer will need you to open a Spanish bank account as well. It’s also a good idea to have one for paying taxes here.