EU citizens: registering as a resident in Spain

By Always Spain editors · Updated Oct 16, 2026 · About Always Spain

Zaragoza, Aragon — Photo: Miguel. (respenda), CC BY 2.0, via Flickr

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can live in Spain freely, but if you stay more than three months you must register at the Central Register of Foreigners and get the Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión, often called the “green certificate”. It shows your NIE.

Requirements

You need to show one of:

Employment in Spain (contract or social security registration), or
Self-employment (registration as autónomo), or
Sufficient funds and health cover for you and your family (savings or income, plus private health insurance or an S1 form), or
Study with health cover and funds.

Steps

Get your padrón certificate.
Book a cita previa for “Policía: certificados UE” in your province.
Pay the fee (form 790 código 012, about €12).
Bring form EX-18, passport or national ID, proof of work or funds and health cover, and the fee receipt.

The certificate is usually printed at the appointment. Non-EU family members of EU citizens apply for a separate family member residence card.