What the paperwork of moving to Spain really costs

Terms used

• NIE — The NIE is the foreigner identification number you need for most official steps in Spain.
• TIE — The TIE is the physical residence card issued to non-EU foreigners who stay in Spain.
• Modelo 790 code 012 — Modelo 790 code 012 is the payment form for the NIE and TIE fees, paid at a bank or online.
• Apostille — An apostille is an official stamp that makes a foreign document valid in another country.
• Traducción jurada — A traducción jurada is a sworn translation, made by a translator officially appointed to translate documents for authorities.
• Cita previa — The cita previa is the appointment you must book before most immigration offices will see you.

Key rules

• Free appointment: Booking a cita previa costs nothing on the official portal, so never pay someone for a slot.
• Biggest variable costs: Police certificates, apostilles, translations and medical certificates cost the most and vary by country and provider.
• Payment: Pay the NIE and TIE fees before your appointment, at a bank or online.
• Fee changes: Fees are updated regularly, so check the amount on the current form before paying.

Fee amounts change often and consulates convert the visa fee to local currency, so confirm each figure with the consulate, the current payment form and the issuing authority.

The government fees are small; the extras add up

The fixed fees are low. The costs that vary are the ones outside Spain: certificates, apostilles and translations. Budget for those first, because they depend on your country and your documents.

Fixed fees

• Long-stay visa: the consular fee is 80 euros. The consulate may convert it to local currency and update it yearly. Some applicants are exempt or pay less, such as family of EU citizens, researchers and holders of diplomatic passports. Some nationalities are also exempt.
• NIE: 9.8 euros. EU citizens pay about 12 euros for the registration certificate that includes the NIE.
• Residence card (TIE): 15.6 euros for the first issue or renewal of most cards. Some renewals and long-term categories cost more.

The NIE and TIE are both paid with Modelo 790 code 012, at a bank or online, before your appointment. Check the amount on the current form, because fees are updated from time to time.

Costs that vary

Police-record certificate. Your home country's authority sets the price. The real cost is that fee plus the apostille plus the sworn translation. Agents add their own charges. The certificate usually has to be recent, often under three months old when you submit it, so do not order it too early.

Apostille. The country that issued the document sets the fee. Some charge a small amount and others charge nothing. Agents add service and courier costs. If your country is not in the Hague system, the legalisation route has more steps and usually costs more. Ask the issuing authority for the current charge.

Sworn translation. A sworn translator (traducción jurada) charges per page or per document. Price depends on language, length and urgency. Simple certificates cost less than long documents, and rare languages cost more. Get several quotes.

Medical certificate. A private doctor or clinic issues it, and there is no fixed national price. It must say you have no diseases of public health relevance. Ask each clinic what it charges and whether apostille or translation is included, since these often cost extra.

Appointments

Booking a cita previa for the NIE, TIE or other immigration procedures is free on the official portal. Slots are scarce in many provinces, especially Barcelona, Madrid, Alicante and Málaga. Some intermediaries and bots sell slots. That is an unofficial charge, so avoid it. Availability changes by province and month, so check the portal regularly.

How to build your budget

1. Write down which documents your case needs.
2. For each one, add the issuing fee, apostille and sworn translation.
3. Add the visa fee if you apply from abroad, then the NIE and TIE fees.
4. Add a margin for courier costs and urgent translations.

The documents list, checklist and questions below cover the details of each step.

Documents you need

• Police-record certificate from your home country's authority, issued recently, often under three months old when you submit it, then apostilled and sworn-translated.

• Sworn translation (traducción jurada) of your foreign documents, done by a translator appointed by the Spanish Foreign Ministry.

• Medical certificate from a private doctor or clinic stating you have no diseases of public health relevance under the International Health Regulations, needed for non-EU visa and residence applications where required.

• Paid Modelo 790 code 012 form for the NIE or residence card (TIE), paid at a bank or online before your appointment.

Checklist

• Pay the NIE fee with Modelo 790 code 012 at a bank or online before your appointment.

• Book your cita previa on the official portal, where booking is free, and avoid anyone selling slots.

• Ask the authority in the country that issued your documents what its apostille fee is.

• Get quotes from several sworn translators, since prices depend on language, length and urgency.

• Ask your home country's authority for the police-record certificate fee, then add the apostille and sworn translation to your budget.

Frequently asked questions

Does it cost anything to book a cita previa appointment?

No, booking a cita previa for the NIE, residence card or other immigration procedures is free on the official portal. Appointments are scarce in Barcelona, Madrid, Alicante and Málaga, and people selling slots are an unofficial charge you can avoid.

How much is the fee for the residence card (TIE)?

The TIE fee is about 15.6 euros for the first issue or renewal of most cards in 2025. You pay it with Modelo 790 code 012 at a bank or online, and some renewals and long-term cards cost more.

How much does the NIE cost?

The NIE fee is about 9.8 euros in 2025, paid with Modelo 790 code 012. An EU citizen's registration certificate with NIE costs about 12 euros. Pay before your appointment.

How much is the consular fee for a long-stay visa?

The fee for a long-stay visa is about 80 euros in 2025.