First steps after being recognised as Spanish by descent

Terms used

• Registro Civil — The Registro Civil is the civil registry where births, marriages and nationality are officially recorded.
• DNI — The DNI is Spain's national identity card for citizens.
• Padrón — The padrón is the town hall's register of residents, which proves your address.
• INSS — The INSS is the national Social Security institute, which issues your social security number.
• Tarjeta sanitaria — The tarjeta sanitaria is the health card that gives access to public health care in your region.

Key rules

• Order: Get your registry certificate first, then the DNI, then the passport and padrón.
• DNI appointment: You need an appointment at a Policía Nacional station for the DNI.
• Passport: You need your DNI to apply for the passport.
• Health card: Your padrón certificate is needed to get your health card.

Start with the DNI, then the passport

Your first job is to get your DNI. Everything else, from the passport to the health card, builds on it or on your address registration.

1. Check your nationality is entered in the Registro Civil. If an oath or promise is required in your case, take it first. You then get a registry certificate. You need it for the DNI appointment.
2. Book an appointment at a Policía Nacional station for your DNI. You can't just walk in.
3. Go to the appointment with the registry certificate, a photograph, proof of address and the fee. The DNI is issued in person after a short wait.
4. Apply for your passport at a police station. Take your DNI, a photograph and the fee. It is usually issued within a few days.

If you are still abroad, a Spanish consulate can issue these documents. Ask the consulate for its process.

Register your address

Register in the padrón at your town hall (ayuntamiento). Take your DNI or passport and proof of address, such as a rental contract or an owner's deed. The padrón certificate you get is the key to public services, including health care.

Set up Social Security and health care

1. Register with Social Security (INSS) to get your social security number.
2. Ask your regional health service for a health card (tarjeta sanitaria). Take your padrón certificate.
3. If you don't work or have no coverage, you must prove you have no other health coverage. You can apply through the regional health service.

Procedures differ by autonomous community, so check the steps with your own regional health service.

Where to look next

The documents list, the checklist and the questions below cover the detail for each step.

Documents you need

• Registry certificate showing your nationality is entered in the Registro Civil, needed for the DNI appointment.

• A photograph for the DNI and another for the passport.

• Proof of address for the DNI application, such as a rental contract or an owner's deed.

• The fee for the DNI, about 12 euros, and for the passport, about 30 euros in 2025.

• Your DNI, needed for the passport application.

• Your DNI or passport, plus a rental contract or owner's deed, to register in the padrón at the town hall.

• Your padrón certificate, needed to get your health card at the regional health service.

• If you don't work or lack coverage, proof that you have no other health coverage.

Checklist

• Confirm your nationality is entered in the Registro Civil and take the oath or promise if it is required.

• Book an appointment at a Policía Nacional station for your DNI.

• Take the registry certificate, a photograph, proof of address and the fee to the DNI appointment.

• Apply for your passport at a police station with your DNI, a photograph and the fee.

• Ask your regional health service for a health card, with your padrón certificate.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a passport before I get my DNI?

No, the passport application at a police station needs your DNI, so the DNI comes first. Bring the DNI, a photograph and the fee. If you live abroad, a consulate can issue both.

What if I don't work and have no health cover in Spain?

You can still apply for a health card through your regional health service, but you must show you have no other coverage. Bring your padrón certificate. You also need a social security number from the Social Security office (INSS).

Which ID can I use to register in the padrón?

You can register in the padrón with either your DNI or your passport, plus proof of address.