How Spain is governed

It is for anyone thinking about, planning or carrying out a move to Spain. Once you see how the state is built, it becomes clear why a rule, a fee or a procedure can differ from one place to the next. It also helps you avoid queuing at the wrong office.

Start with "How Spain's government works, in plain terms". It gives you the working picture of the king, parliament and prime minister, and how laws are made. Then read the pages on regions, then town halls and provinces. After those, "Which level of government handles your problem?" shows you where to send a specific issue. The page on what EU membership means for residents covers the layer that sits on top of all of them.

Key rules

• PM investiture: A prime minister candidate needs 176 votes in Congress in the first vote, or more yes than no votes in a second vote 48 hours later.
• Decree-law validation: Congress must vote to validate or repeal a Real Decreto-ley within 30 days of its promulgation.
• Real power: The prime minister and government make policy; the king's role is ceremonial.
• Final word: Congress has the final say on laws, and the Senate cannot topple the government.
• Immigration: Visas, residence permits and nationality are decided by the state, so they are the same in every region.
• Taxes: Your regional tax bill can differ a lot depending on where you live, especially for inheritance, wealth and property purchase taxes.

How Spain is governed: the whole process, step by step

• Learn who does what: the king, the Cortes, Congress, the Senate and the prime minister: first, before dealing with any office

• A new prime minister is invested by Congress after each general election, then appointed by the king: after each general election; if nobody is invested within two months of the first vote, new elections are called

• Laws pass Congress, then the Senate has two months to approve, veto or amend (20 days if urgent), and Congress has the final say: the king sanctions within 15 days; the law enters into force 20 days after publication unless it says otherwise

• A Real Decreto-ley, an urgent government rule, takes effect on publication, before Congress votes on it: Congress must vote to validate or repeal it within 30 days of its promulgation

• Find out which rules are set by your region and which by the state: before you start any housing, health or school process

• Register at your town hall on the padrón, the local residents' register: as soon as you have an address, since healthcare, school places and many procedures ask for it

• Route each problem to the state, the region or the town hall: whenever an issue comes up

• Apply the EU layer: euro, Schengen travel of up to 90 days in any 180 days, and EU-citizen or non-EU residence rules: before you travel or change your residence status

Documents you may need

Identity and residence

• Your passport or residence document — Town halls (ayuntamientos) and provinces: what each does, Which level of government handles your problem?
• Padrón registration — Which level of government handles your problem?
• Valid ID or passport — What Spain's EU membership means for residents
• Family-member residence card for non-EU relatives of an EU citizen — What Spain's EU membership means for residents
• Valid Spanish residence permit or TIE — What Spain's EU membership means for residents

The home and the lease

• Proof of your address — Town halls (ayuntamientos) and provinces: what each does, Which level of government handles your problem?

Other documents

• Social security number or equivalent entitlement — Which level of government handles your problem?
• Registration certificate — What Spain's EU membership means for residents

How Spain is governed: questions that cross several articles

Do regions or the state run healthcare and schools?

Yes, regions run healthcare and schools day to day, but the state sets the basic rules. All 17 communities manage hospitals, primary care and school staff, while the state sets basic laws, the common benefits package and qualification recognition. Read "Regions (comunidades autónomas): who decides what" and "Which level of government handles your problem?".

Who decides housing and rental rules, the state or the region?

Both decide, because tenancies follow national law while regions control housing policy. The national tenancy law applies everywhere, and regions handle social housing, subsidies, deposits and registers.

Which office issues my residence documents?

The state handles residence documents, since immigration and foreigners are state matters. The Policía Nacional issues the NIE and TIE, and the Oficinas de Extranjería sit under the central government's local offices.

Does the town hall padrón register count for state and regional services?

Yes, your town hall's padrón registration is often needed for regional healthcare, school places and state procedures. Each town hall runs it, and it also proves where you live. Read "Town halls (ayuntamientos) and provinces: what each does".