Apply for Residency/Green Card in Spain Today
This service is for EU Passport Holders who already have a NIE Number or fit the criteria for Spanish Residency
IF YOU ARE A UK PASSPORT HOLDER YOU NOW NEED TO OBTAIN A TIE CARD. Please visit our sister website www.tiecardspain.com
Need a NIE Number? Click here to read more.
Now you have your NIE Number the next thing you need is your Residency/ Certificate of the EU.
MYNIE now offers a full residency service. If you used our service to obtain your NIE Number you can now apply for your residency for just £49.99 + IVA per person.
This includes your police station booking, relevant paperwork for your application and a telephone consultation on the exact evidence you will need for applying for Residency/Certificate of the EU. We will also give advice on health insurance, and other requirements you may or may not need to apply for your Residency. (advice based on current information we have, the police can change this at any time)
Please note residency is issued at the sole discretion of the Spanish Police. We will book your appointment and provide your paperwork but it is your responsibility to provide the other proof such as proof of funds, private health insurance ect.
Our expert Residency advisor will guide you through the process so you have everything ready in time.
BOOK YOUR RESIDENCY/CERTIFICATE OF THE EU APPOINTMENT WITH US TODAY!
Please complete the form below ensuring all fields are completed. Once you have submitted your information please use the payment link below and our Residency expert will be in touch within 24hrs:
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Getting a Green Residency Card in Spain (EU Passport Holders): Requirements, Step-by-Step Process + FAQs (2026)
If you’re an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen moving to Spain for more than 3 months, you don’t apply for a “TIE card” (that’s for non-EU nationals). What you’re looking for is the Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión — commonly called the “green residency card” or “green NIE card.” It’s a green paper certificate that proves you’re registered as an EU resident in Spain and shows your NIE number.
This guide explains:
Who must apply
Which requirements apply to you (worker, self-employed, student, financially independent)
Exactly how to do it step by step
Common pitfalls (insurance, proof of funds, appointments)
A big FAQs section at the bottom
What is Spain’s “green residency card” for EU citizens?
The “green residency card” is the informal name for the EU Registration Certificate:
Official name: Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión Europea
What it does: proves you’re registered in Spain’s Central Register of Foreign Nationals and that you’re residing in Spain for more than 3 months.
What it looks like: a green paper certificate (not a plastic card).
What it includes: your name, nationality, Spanish address, NIE number, and date of registration.
It’s grounded in Spain’s EU free movement rules (including Real Decreto 240/2007).
Who needs it (and when)?
You must apply if:
You’re a citizen of an EU country, or an EEA country (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway), or Switzerland, and
You plan to live in Spain for more than 3 months.
Timing: the “3-month” rule
Spain’s public guidance commonly states you should register within 3 months of entering Spain if you’re going to stay longer than 3 months.
In real life, many people arrive, rent/buy a place, and then apply once they have the paperwork lined up. The key point is: if you’re living in Spain long-term, you should get registered.
The core requirement (in plain English)
To qualify for the EU registration certificate, you generally need to show you are one of the following:
Working in Spain (employed), or
Self-employed in Spain (autónomo), or
A student with health cover and means of support, or
Financially self-sufficient with health insurance.
Those categories are the backbone of EU registration in Spain, and the documents you bring depend on which category you fall into.
Before you start: what you’ll usually need (baseline)
Exact requirements can vary slightly by province/office, but these are the usual “foundation” pieces:
Valid passport or national ID card (EU/EEA/Swiss)
EX-18 application form (EU registration)
Proof of payment of the fee (commonly paid via Modelo 790, code 012)
Proof of address in Spain (commonly padrón certificate or rental contract + recent bill—office preference varies)
Evidence that you meet one category (work, self-employed, student, funds + insurance)
Spain’s Ministry of Interior also references using official forms (EX-18, etc.) and paying the corresponding fee before issuance.
Requirements by situation (pick your category)
1) If you are employed (working for a Spanish employer)
You typically prove you are a worker in Spain. Common evidence includes:
Work contract or employer certificate, and/or
Social Security registration evidence (alta)
Practical tip: If your contract is new, bring multiple proofs (contract + Social Security evidence if you have it). Offices like clear, official paperwork.
2) If you are self-employed (autónomo)
You typically prove you’re registered as self-employed in Spain. Common evidence includes:
Registration as autónomo (Social Security)
Tax registration (Hacienda) / activity registration
Practical tip: If you’re “about to start” but not registered yet, you can get stuck in limbo. Many people first do the autónomo registration steps, then book/attend the EU certificate appointment with the confirmations.
3) If you are a student in Spain
Students usually need to show:
Proof of enrollment (matrícula) at a recognized educational institution
Proof of health insurance coverage
A declaration/proof that you have sufficient resources so you won’t become a burden on Spain’s social assistance system
Insurance note: Some offices accept the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) only in specific circumstances (often for temporary stays). For long-term residence, offices frequently expect more robust coverage. Because local interpretation varies, it’s smart to bring the strongest evidence you have (policy documents + coverage summary in Spanish if possible).
4) If you’re financially independent (not working yet)
This is the most common category for retirees, remote-income people not employed in Spain, and anyone living off savings.
You generally need to prove:
Sufficient financial means, and
Health insurance with coverage in Spain
What counts as “sufficient means”?
Spain doesn’t always publish a single universal number on every public page because it can depend on household size and local criteria. In practice, offices often look for evidence like:
Bank statements showing balances
Pension statements
Proof of regular income
Proof of savings/investments
Some official guidance documents and municipal/immigration guidance reference typical evidence like bank certifications, income proofs, etc.
Health insurance: what they usually want
If you’re not employed and not covered through Spanish Social Security, you’ll typically need:
Private health insurance valid in Spain, often expected to be comprehensive (no major exclusions), and
Documentation showing you (and dependants) are covered.
Because refusals often happen due to insurance wording, bring:
Full policy certificate
Proof of payment
Coverage summary (Spanish is best)
“No copay / sin copago” wording if your policy has it (some offices care a lot)
Step-by-step: how to get the green EU residency certificate (EX-18)
Step 1: Get your Spanish address situation stable
Before your appointment, aim to have:
A fixed address you can put on EX-18
Ideally a padrón certificate (not always mandatory everywhere, but it smooths things)
Many offices want to see you actually live in the province where you apply.
Step 2: Book the appointment (cita previa)
You apply in the province where you intend to live, typically at:
The Oficina de Extranjería (Foreigners Office), or
The corresponding Policía office handling the procedure
Appointments can be scarce in some provinces (especially coastal areas). If you can’t find one:
Check at different times of day (systems refresh unpredictably)
Be flexible with nearby towns within the province (where allowed)
Avoid third-party “appointment sellers” — you can end up with cancelled appointments or mismatched details
Step 3: Prepare the paperwork pack (don’t wing it)
Bring:
Passport/ID + copies
EX-18 completed (and a spare blank copy)
Fee payment receipt (commonly Modelo 790, code 012)
Category proof (worker / autónomo / student / funds + insurance)
Proof of address (and padrón if you have it)
Extra copies of everything
Pro tip: Spanish offices love stamps and official certificates. If a document looks informal, bring a more formal version too (e.g., bank certificate in addition to bank statements).
Step 4: Pay the fee (Modelo 790, code 012)
The EU certificate requires paying an administrative fee before issuance (commonly via Modelo 790, code 012).
In many provinces you:
Fill in the Modelo 790 (code 012),
Pay it at a bank (or through supported payment methods), and
Bring the stamped/confirmed proof of payment.
Because payment options can vary, follow the instructions printed on the form and the local office guidance.
Step 5: Attend the appointment (in person)
The police/office will:
Check your identity
Review your documents
Confirm your category and that you meet requirements
Register you and issue the certificate
Public guidance often states it’s issued immediately once accepted.
Step 6: Check the details on the certificate before you leave
Look carefully at:
Your name spelling
Passport/ID number
Address
NIE number
Registration date
If something’s wrong, it’s easier to fix while you’re still at the counter than weeks later.
Common mistakes that cause delays or refusals
1) Weak health insurance evidence
This is the #1 issue for financially independent applicants.
Fix: bring the full policy certificate, proof of payment, and a Spanish summary if possible.
2) Funds proof that doesn’t look “official”
Screenshots from a banking app can be rejected.
Fix: bring bank statements and a stamped bank certificate (where possible).
3) Applying in the wrong province
If your paperwork and address suggest another province, some offices won’t process you.
Fix: apply where you live (and show it).
4) Turning up without copies
Many offices won’t copy for you.
Fix: copies of everything, neatly organised.
5) Confusing the “green EU certificate” with other residency documents
The EU certificate (green) is not the same as:
A TIE card (non-EU)
A Brexit TIE (UK nationals with Withdrawal Agreement rights)
A visa or residency authorisation used for non-EU routes
Different system, different rules.
What happens after you get it?
Once you have the green certificate, you’ll usually find it much easier to:
Register with your local health centre (depending on your entitlement route)
Sign contracts (utilities, telecoms)
Complete tax and employment steps
Prove legal residence in Spain
Do you need to carry it?
It’s not a photo ID. Your passport/ID is still your ID document. But the certificate is important—keep it safe, and many people carry a photocopy.
Permanent residence after 5 years (EU citizens)
EU citizens can acquire a right of permanent residence after 5 years of continuous legal residence in Spain under the EU regime. Official guidance documents reference “residencia continuada en España durante 5 años” for permanent residence.
This is a separate step from the initial EU registration certificate, but it’s closely linked because your registration history helps evidence your residence.
FAQs: Green Residency Card Spain (EU Citizens)
Is the “green card” the same as an NIE?
Not exactly.
NIE = your foreigner identification number.
The green EU certificate is the registration document that shows your NIE and confirms you’re registered as an EU resident in Spain.
You can sometimes get an NIE for administrative reasons without full EU residence registration, but for living in Spain long-term, the EU certificate is the key document.
Is it a plastic card?
No. It’s typically a green paper certificate. (That’s why people call it the “green card”.)
Do EU citizens need a visa to live in Spain?
EU/EEA/Swiss citizens don’t need a visa to enter and live in Spain under free movement rules, but if staying more than 3 months they must register and get the certificate.
How long does it take?
If you have an appointment and correct documents, it’s often issued the same day / immediately once approved.
The slow part is usually getting an appointment and gathering the right proof.
What are the requirements for retirees?
Retirees typically apply under the “self-sufficient” category:
Proof of sufficient funds (pension + savings evidence)
Health insurance valid in Spain
Do I need private health insurance if I’m working?
If you’re employed or self-employed and registered in Spain’s Social Security system, you may be covered through that route, which can satisfy the health coverage expectation. If you’re not yet registered, offices often ask for private insurance to cover the gap.
Can I apply without a padrón?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no — it can be province/office-dependent. But having a padrón certificate is one of the easiest ways to prove local address, so it’s strongly recommended.
Can my non-EU spouse get a “green card” too?
Non-EU family members do not get the EU citizen green certificate. They usually apply for a Tarjeta de residencia de familiar de ciudadano de la Unión under the EU family route (different form and document). The EU legal framework and Spain’s RD 240/2007 cover family members’ residence rights.
What if I’m not working yet and don’t have much savings?
That’s where people struggle. Spain expects EU residents who aren’t working to show they won’t become a burden on social assistance and that they have health coverage. If you can’t show funds and insurance, you may need to:
Start work (employed route), or
Register as self-employed, or
Delay until you can evidence resources/insurance.
Can I use travel insurance?
Usually travel insurance is not ideal for long-term residence registration because it can be limited (short duration, exclusions). Offices often expect more comprehensive coverage for residents. Bring the strongest policy you have.
Does the certificate expire?
The registration certificate itself doesn’t function like a short-term visa sticker. However, your status can be affected if you stop meeting conditions (for example, if you were self-sufficient and later have no funds/coverage). After 5 years you may qualify for permanent residence status.
If I leave Spain, do I lose it?
Short trips don’t matter. Long absences can affect “continuous residence,” especially if you later want permanent residence after 5 years. If permanent residence is your goal, track time out of Spain carefully.
Where do I apply?
At the Oficina de Extranjería or the corresponding Policía office in the province where you’ll live.
Ready to get your Green residency card in Spain? Use the online booking form above and we will get this organised for you.
Uk passport holder wanting to change your Green Card to a TIE Card? Click here