Documents Spanish landlords ask newcomer tenants for

Terms used

• nóminas — Nóminas are the monthly payslips your employer gives you, used to prove your income.
• TIE — The TIE is the foreigner identity card issued to non-EU residents, and it includes the NIE.
• IRPF — The IRPF is Spain's personal income tax.

Key rules

• Core file: A complete file normally holds ID, proof of income and, when needed, bank or tax evidence.
• Passport first: A passport copy is usually enough at first contact, and a lease can be signed with a passport or national ID; the NIE and a Spanish account can follow.

What a complete file holds

A normal tenant file has three parts: proof of who you are, proof that you earn enough, and, where needed, bank or tax evidence.

Proof of identity

• Passport. A copy is usually enough for a first contact or a reservation.
• NIE certificate or foreigner card (TIE). You do not need it to sign the lease; utilities and a Spanish bank account usually ask for it. The order of steps is in Renting before you have an NIE or a Spanish bank account. EU citizens hold the registration certificate, a paper A4 sheet showing the NIE, not a card. Non-EU residents use the TIE, or a visa plus NIE.

Some landlords accept only a passport at first and ask for the NIE later. If you don't have a NIE yet, say so early.

Proof of income

If you are employed, landlords typically ask for:

• Your last 3 payslips (nóminas). Some ask for 3 to 6.
• Your employment contract. An indefinite contract is preferred.
• A letter from your employer stating your seniority, position and salary.

Some also ask for your latest IRPF return or a vida laboral report, which shows your work history with Social Security.

Bank and tax evidence

These are common extras, not universal. Employed tenants with Spanish payslips are often not asked for them.

• Bank statements from the last 3 months. Landlords ask for them when your income is foreign or self-employed, or when your savings make up for weak documents.
• Tax return (IRPF). Landlords ask mainly if you are self-employed or your income is new or irregular, or when payslips are not enough.

Foreign documents and translations

No law requires a translation or an apostille for a private rental. It is the landlord's choice. English documents are usually accepted, especially by agencies in big cities. Documents in other languages may need a translation, sometimes a sworn one (traducción jurada), if the landlord asks. Apostilles are rarely requested. Offering a simple translation or an English version usually helps.

If a landlord insists, or an official procedure such as a residence application requires it, the rule depends on where the document was issued:

• In another EU country: no apostille, and no law requires a translation.
• In a non-EU country that is a Hague Convention member: an apostille from the issuing country and a sworn translation into Spanish (traducción jurada).
• In a non-EU country that is not a Hague member: full legalisation through the Spanish consulate and a sworn translation.

What a landlord may not demand

A landlord may ask only for data that is relevant and limited to checking your identity and ability to pay. Identity, proof of income or employment, and contact details are reasonable.

A landlord should not demand:

• Health, religion, ethnic origin or political views.
• Family planning plans.
• Your full bank movements.
• Copies of documents beyond what is needed.

The landlord must tell you why they collect your data, keep it only as long as needed, and delete it if you are not chosen. Whether a specific request is excessive depends on the case. You can refuse an excessive request politely and offer a lighter proof instead.

When to send what

What to send at each stage, and what to hold back until signing is close, is set out once in Renting with no Spanish job, credit history or track record. In tight markets such as Madrid and Barcelona, agencies often ask for the complete file right after the viewing so the landlord can choose. Send documents only to a contact you have verified; the fraud checks, and what to do if you already sent documents to a false contact, are in searching from abroad.

Documents you need

• Passport or national ID, from your home authorities.
• NIE certificate or TIE, from the Spanish police or your consulate, if you have one.
• Payslips and employment contract, from your employer.
• Company letter or certificate, signed by your employer.
• IRPF return or vida laboral report, from the tax agency or Social Security.
• Bank statements, from your bank.
• A sworn or plain translation of foreign-language documents, only if the landlord asks.

If you are applying with a partner or children

Each adult co-tenant gives ID and income proof. Combined income counts toward the 3-times-rent test. Unmarried partners renting together are treated the same way: each proves identity and income, the incomes are added together, and both sign and are jointly liable. Children need no income documents. A family book or birth certificate is rarely asked.