Moving to Spain Guide – Chapter 4 – Becoming an official resident of Spain.
Becoming an official resident of Spain.
Visas and how to apply
‘Sufficient means’
If you are not working
Healthcare and visa application
UK Nationals Form S1
Introduction
There are several routes to residency in Spain. How you do this depends on your nationality. The different routes are summarised below. They are also explained in detail in our dedicated Infoguides
The route you choose depends on your nationality and the passport/s you hold.
Citizens of the EU and EEA
You have the right to move to Spain to live and work.
One of the first things to sort out is your registration with the Oficina de Extranjeros (Foreigners’ Office) — usually found in your local police station.
✅ When?
You need to register within three months of arriving in Spain.
✅ Why?
This puts you on the Central Register of Foreign Nationals, which is essential for legal residency.
Documents You’ll Need to Register
Before your appointment at the Oficina de Extranjeros, make sure you’ve gathered the following:
✅ Essential Documents
Padrón Certificate – collected after registering with your local Ayuntamiento (Town Hall)
Passport – valid and up to date
Completed Modelo EX-18 – the residency application form
Proof of fee payment – Modelo 790, code 012
✅ If You’re Not Employed (Retired or Non-Working):
Proof of sufficient financial means – such as recent bank statements or a bank certificate
Proof of health insurance – private or public coverage depending on your situation
Students
As a student from another EU country, you have the right to live in Spain for the duration of your studies – but only if you meet the following conditions:
✅ You must be:
Enrolled in an approved educational institution
Financially self-sufficient – your income can come from any source, as long as you don’t need public income support
Covered by comprehensive health insurance
⚠️ You Could Lose Your Right to Stay If:
You finish your studies and cannot prove that you’re either working or have enough funds to support yourself.
Reporting Your Presence & Registering Your Residence
During the first 3 months of your stay:
You’re not required to register your residence (though you can if you want to)
After 3 months, the host country may ask you to register with the local authorities.
You’ll need to show that you meet the conditions to stay as a student.
What You’ll Need to Register:
✅ Proof of enrolment at an approved educational establishment
✅ Proof of comprehensive health insurance
✅ Declaration of sufficient resources – this can include money from family, scholarships, part-time work, or savings
For more information visit the europe.eu website here
Non-EU students
If you are a student from a third country (non-EU) and you wish to study or volunteer in Spain for more than 90 days, you will need a student visa.
The student visa is a document that will allow you to live in Spain for over 90 days if you meet one or more of these requirements:
You are conducting or extending studies in Spain
You are undertaking research activities or education
You are volunteering in Spain
You are doing an unpaid internship, based on the signature of an agreement
You are following training in Spain or in a student mobility programme.
If you meet the requirements mentioned above, you will be able to present your application at the appropriate Spanish consular office in your Country
Read our full guide Student Visa Guide
Third country nationals – Citizens of other non- EU countries (including UK)
If you’re a UK citizen or a national from another non-EU country (a “third country national”) planning to move to Spain, you’ll most likely need to apply for a visa. There are several types of visas available, each with its own specific requirements.
You must apply for your visa before you travel, and you should do so through the Spanish consulate responsible for the area where you currently live.
Most visa applications require you to prove that you have:
Sufficient income or financial resources
Comprehensive healthcare coverage
This is to show that you can support yourself during your stay in Spain without relying on public funds.
The exact criteria and conditions will depend on the type of visa you apply for. Some visas also have rules about how long you can be outside of Spain and still keep your residency status.
You might not need a visa if:
- You’re a family member of an EU citizen
- You’re a third-country national with EU heritage – for example, a UK citizen with an Irish parent or grandparent may be eligible for an EU passport
Which Visa Do You Need to Move to Spain?
The type of visa you’ll need depends on why you’re moving to Spain — whether it’s to work, start a business, retire, or simply enjoy a new lifestyle. Choosing the right visa is essential, so take time to explore your options and find the one that best fits your plans.
Important Notes
You must apply for most visas before arriving in Spain, from the Spanish consulate in your country of residence. Check the requirement for each visa before making a move.
All visa types require proof of financial stability and healthcare coverage.
Each visa has specific conditions — including limits on how long you can leave Spain without losing residency.
Choosing the right visa is essential to starting your new life in Spain smoothly. Take your time to explore which one fits your needs best
Short Stay (Up to 90 Days)
Visa-free travel: Many countries (including the UK) have an agreement with the Schengen Area that allows their citizens to stay in Spain for up to 90 days within any 180-day period without needing a visa.
Schengen Visa: If your country doesn’t have a visa-free agreement, you’ll need to apply for a short-stay (Schengen) visa.
Long-Term Stay Visas
If you’re planning to live in Spain for more than 90 days, you’ll need a long-stay visa.
Here is a table of the most common Visa types with a more detailed outline below
Non-Lucrative Visa (For retirees or those not planning to work)
Ideal if you want to live in Spain without working.
You’ll need to:
Prove you have sufficient financial means to support yourself (and your family)
Show proof of comprehensive health insurance
Work Visa (For employees)
For those offered a job with a Spanish employer.
Key points:
Your employer must start the visa application process on your behalf
Not all job types qualify — it must be a role that meets immigration criteria
Self-Employed Visa (For freelancers or business owners)
Perfect if you plan to:
Start your own business in Spain
Work freelance or as an independent contractor
You’ll need to submit a business plan and show you can support yourself financially.
Digital Nomad Visa (Remote workers)
An option for remote workers or freelancers who work online for companies outside of Spain.
Key features:
Allows a 12-month stay, renewable up to 5 years
Eligible for permanent residency after 5 years
Applicants must meet income requirements and have relevant work experience
Applying for a visa
Almost all visa applications must be made to the Spanish Consular Office in the country from which you wish to move. The exception to this is the work visa for which your prospective employer will apply. After obtaining the visa, you will be able to live in Spain and renew your residency permit at the appropriate time. In some cases, you might be able to change from one type of visa to another.
Do you have ‘Sufficient Means’?
As part of the Visa application process you will have to demonstrate that you have ‘sufficient means’ i.e., sufficient income/financial resources to live in Spain so that you will not become a burden on the Spanish state. The rules vary according to the type of visa you have.
The Spanish Immigration authorities use a calculation based on a system called IPREM, literally ‘the Public Multiple Effects Income Indicator’ or Indicador Público de Renta de Efectos Múltiples which is set by the Spanish Government annually for taxation, visas and benefits.
If everything is in order you will be issued with a residency permit (Permiso de Residencia) which includes your name, address, nationality and your Foreigner’s Identity Number (NIE). This number is essential for all financial and administrative matters in Spain.
UK nationals already living in Spain before 2021
For UK nationals who have already been living in Spain since before 2021, and their family members, there are additional options through the UK/EU Withdrawal Agreement which protects UK nationals residency rights in Europe as a result of the UK leaving the European Union. This route to residency in Spain has less stringent conditions than those for UK nationals who moved to Spain from 2021 onwards.
Note that if you have a Spanish residency document issued prior to 2021, even if it states that you have permanent residency, you are strongly advised to check its status and update/exchange it for the new plastic biometric photo residency card called the TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) stating that you are a beneficiary of the Withdrawal Agreement. The old documents will not be accepted as proof of your right to residency at the borders when using the Entry and Exit System (EES). See here for our guide to exchanging your green residency card for a TIE.
Check here to make sure you still hold a valid residency document
To bring family members/dependents to live with you in Spain under the scope of the Withdrawal Agreement
If you already have your residency in Spain under the scope of the Withdrawal Agreement, you have the right to bring over immediate family members to live with you. Note that the person who makes the application is the person already with residency in Spain, not the family member who wishes to join them.
If your family member has UK nationality, read this guide: Obtaining the TIE for UK Family Members and Dependents
If your family member is not a UK national and does not hold EU citizenship, read this guide: TIE for Non-UK and NonEU Family Members to UK Nationals
If your family member holds EU citizenship, they can apply in their own right. Read this guide: How to Obtain the Resident Certificate as an EU citizen
Another exception is made by the Spanish system (called the Arraigo system) which has some routes to residency for non- EU citizens already living in Spain, including those with Spanish children or who have been legally working in Spain for two years.
Doctors and dentists
Two UK Nationals living in Spain explain how they registered with a doctor and dealt with toothache!
Registering with a doctor
Phil Waring has lived in Spain near Alicante for five years having moved from Canterbury in Kent.
He says: “I was previously registered with my local doctor as a member of the Convenio Especial and paying €157 per month. As I had previously lived and worked in the UK, when I was approaching retirement age I followed the steps here in the guide: Your State Healthcare in Spain for UK Pensioners
I contacted the NHS overseas team and they very quickly sent me an S1 for myself and my ‘dependent’ husband. We were ready to submit our S1 forms to the INSS, but we just could not secure an appointment. After weeks of trying we eventually employed a local Gestor. She had registered both our S1s within a couple of days! Once we heard back from the INSS we went to our local surgery where they issued us with “Tarjeta Sanitaria” cards. We have an App here in Valencia which we use to make appointments. All my prescription details are available on the card and I can use it in any Pharmacy in Spain to obtain my medication.”
Toothache on the Costa del Sol
Stephen from London lives in Málaga. He says, “I woke up with toothache one morning. I hadn’t been to a dentist before in Spain and frankly it wasn’t something I was looking forward to. I didn’t know what to expect or where to find a good dentist. I went next door to ask my Spanish neighbour for her recommendation. My Spanish wasn’t great at that time but using a combination of words, pointing and a translator app on my phone she pointed me in the right direction. She even phoned the dentist for me and made my first appointment for that very day. In Spain dental care is totally private and after the dentist sorted my problem I paid a very reasonable bill. I go back for a check-up every 6 months”.
Healthcare in Spain
Planning Your Healthcare in Spain
Access to healthcare is one of the most important things to consider when planning your move to Spain. Not only is it essential for your well-being, but having the right healthcare in place is also a key requirement when applying for a residency visa.
This section will help you understand how to arrange your healthcare to meet both your personal and legal needs.
UK Nationals: Using the S1 Form
If you receive a UK State Pension, you’re entitled to an S1 form, which gives you access to the Spanish state healthcare system on the same terms as Spanish citizens.
You can also use the S1 form as your proof of healthcare when applying for residency.
Learn how to apply for the S1 form online here: UK Gov Guidance – Healthcare in Spain
And here is a guide to registering your S1 online: UK Gov Guidance Register your S1 from in Spain online
Private Health Insurance
If you don’t qualify for an S1 — or even if you do — you may need or want to buy private health insurance.
To be accepted for your visa, the insurance must:
Provide full coverage, equal to the Spanish state healthcare system
Include no co-payments, no excess, and no exclusions
Tip: If you’re a UK pensioner with an S1, this will cover both you and your dependent family members — no private insurance needed for the visa.
Why Some People Choose Both
Even those with access to the Spanish state system often choose to get additional private health insurance because:
It’s often affordable
Offers shorter wait times and more flexibility
May include English-speaking doctors
Can cover international travel
Need Help Choosing the Right Cover?
Age in Spain can help you find the right health insurance — including policies designed for English speakers and tailored to meet visa requirements.
Contact our free support service: health@ageinspain.org
We’ll give you personalised information and help you choose the best healthcare option for your situation.
For more information and all our other Healthcare guides visit our Healthcare page .
Spanish State Healthcare
Spain’s public healthcare system is ranked among the best in the world — and as a foreign resident, you can access it in several ways depending on your situation:
If You’re Working in Spain (Contributory Scheme)
Whether you’re employed or self-employed, a portion of your salary goes into the Spanish Social Security system. In return, you get access to:
Full state healthcare
Unemployment benefits
Contributions toward your Spanish state pension
This coverage continues as long as you’re paying into the system.
If You Become a Permanent Resident
Once you’ve lived in Spain for five years and met the conditions, you can gain the right to permanent residency. This gives you full access to state healthcare, even if you’re not working.
If you Pay into the System (Convenio Especial)
If you’re not employed, another option is the Convenio Especial. After living in Spain for at least 12 months and registering on the padrón (local register), you can opt into the state healthcare system by paying a monthly fee.
Not based on income or age
Pre-existing conditions are not excluded
A useful option for early retirees or those between jobs
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