• You must apply if you intend to live in Spain for more than three months and meet the residence conditions.
• The application is made in person using form EX-18.
• Depending on your circumstances, you must prove employment, self-employment, studies, or sufficient resources and health cover.
• Form 790, code 012, must be paid before the appointment.
• If the requirements are met, the certificate is issued immediately and includes the NIE.

EU Citizen Registration Certificate in Spain

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens who intend to reside in Spain for more than three months must register with the Registro Central de Extranjeros once they meet the residence conditions. Registration is evidenced by the Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión, often called the EU certificate, green NIE or green card.

It is not a TIE or a photo identity card. Among other details, it contains the foreigner's identification number, or NIE.

Who must apply?

EU, EEA or Swiss citizens who will remain in Spain for more than three months and meet the residence conditions must apply within three months of entering Spain. For stays of less than three months, a valid identity card or passport is normally sufficient.

Residence conditions

The evidence depends on the applicant's employment, financial or academic situation.

Employees

Employment may be shown through a declaration of employment or employer's certificate, a registered employment contract, or registration with Spanish Social Security.

Self-employed people

They must prove genuine economic activity in Spain, for example through registration in the Censo de Actividades Económicas, Social Security registration, documents establishing the business or, where applicable, registration in the Commercial Register.

People who do not work in Spain

They must show both sufficient financial resources for themselves and their family, where applicable, and public or private health insurance providing cover in Spain equivalent to the Spanish National Health System. Resources are assessed in light of personal and family circumstances and may be shown through bank balances, regular income, assets or other evidence.

Students

Students must prove enrolment at a recognised public or private institution, valid health cover in Spain and sufficient resources for their stay. In some cases, a European Health Insurance Card may be used if it covers the full intended stay and the necessary healthcare. A student's formal declaration may be accepted as evidence of resources.

Documents normally required

• completed form EX-18;
• a valid passport or national identity card;
• proof of payment of form 790, code 012;
• evidence of employment, self-employment, studies, or sufficient resources and health cover, as appropriate;
• any additional documents required by the competent office.

An expired identity document may be submitted together with proof that renewal has been requested. Check beforehand whether the office also requires empadronamiento or other proof of address.

How to apply

The application must be made in person.

1. Book a cita previa

Book the procedure for the EU Citizen Registration Certificate in your province of residence. The application is filed with the relevant Oficina de Extranjería or, where applicable, an authorised police station.

2. Complete EX-18

Provide the requested personal details, address and other information.

3. Pay the fee

Pay form 790, code 012 before the appointment. As the amount may change, verify the current fee when generating the form.

4. Prepare supporting evidence

Employees provide their contract or Social Security registration; self-employed applicants provide business documents; people without employment provide evidence of resources and health insurance; students provide enrolment, health cover and evidence of resources.

5. Attend the appointment

The applicant must attend in person. Bringing both originals and copies is advisable.

How long does it take?

If the requirements are met, the certificate is issued immediately. It records details such as name, nationality, address, NIE and registration date.

Does it include the NIE?

Yes. The NIE is the foreigner's identification number, while the EU Citizen Registration Certificate proves registration as a resident. Having previously obtained an NIE does not replace the duty to register when residing in Spain for more than three months.

Does it have to be renewed after five years?

There is no ordinary five-year renewal of the initial certificate. After five years of continuous legal residence in Spain, an EU citizen may acquire a right of permanent residence and request the corresponding certificate. In specific cases, permanent residence may be acquired earlier.

Certificates for family members

EU, EEA or Swiss family members who will live in Spain for more than three months must establish their own right of residence and register where required.

Non-EU family members do not normally apply for this certificate. If EU free-movement rules apply, they instead request the Residence Card for Family Members of an EU Citizen, which has different forms, requirements and documents.

EU certificate or residence card?

The EU Citizen Registration Certificate is for European citizens and proves their registration as residents in Spain. The Residence Card for Family Members of an EU Citizen is for certain non-EU relatives. Choosing the correct procedure avoids filing the wrong forms and evidence.

• Confusing the EU certificate with a TIE, or assuming that an existing NIE replaces registration as a resident.
• Attending the appointment without sufficient evidence of employment, economic activity, studies, financial resources or health cover.
• Applying for the EU certificate for a non-EU relative when the Residence Card for Family Members of an EU Citizen is required.