First month by your situation

This topic is for anyone thinking about, planning or carrying out a move to Spain. It shows the order and the extra steps that fit your own profile, so you can skip what does not apply to you.

It covers first-month sequences by route, employer-supported moves, families with children, retirees and remote workers, families who arrive in stages, and how your city can change things. It does not cover which route to choose, family route applications or school admission and points. Other topics handle those.

Start with "Your first month in Spain as an EU citizen". It sets out the basic order of the first month. If you are not an EU citizen, or your situation is different, go from there to the page that matches you, such as the one for work, residency or nomad visas, or the one for moves with children.

Key rules

• Visitor stay: Visa-free visitors can stay up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period across the whole Schengen area.
• TIE deadline: If you enter Spain on a long-stay visa, you must apply for your TIE within one month of entering Spain, and each family member's month runs from their own entry.
• EU registration: If you are an EU citizen staying more than three months, you must register and obtain your registration certificate within three months of arrival.
• Beckham regime: You request the special regime for inbound workers within six months of starting work or registering with Social Security.
• Visa: As an EU citizen you need no visa to move to Spain.
• Employees: Your employer must register you with Social Security before you start work.

First month by your situation: the whole process, step by step

Your first month, step by step

• Visitors: keep your stay within the visa-free limit while you prepare (read: Your first month if you arrived as a visitor planning to settle): From the day you arrive: up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period across the whole Schengen area

• Register in the padrón, the town hall's residents list (read: Your first month in Spain as an EU citizen, or the article for your situation): As soon as you have a place to live. No fixed national deadline, but health card, school and many offices ask for it

• Visa holders: book a cita previa and apply for your TIE, the foreigner identity card, with fingerprints in person (read: Your first month in Spain on a work, residency or nomad visa): Within one month of entering Spain. Each family member's month runs from their own entry

• Employees: make sure your employer registers you with Social Security (read: Your first month when your employer is relocating you): Before work starts. Self-employed people register before starting activity

• Children: apply for their own TIE and enrol them in school (read: Your first month in Spain with children): Same one-month window for the TIE; school enrolment is possible at any time of year for ages 6 to 16

• Families with children under 3: apply for a nursery place: Public places are applied for in spring for September; mid-year vacancies and private nurseries may be available during the year

• Family joining later: each person follows their own entry date (read: When one of you moves first and the family follows): One month from each person's own entry

• Collect your TIE in person: Usually about 30 days after the fingerprint appointment

• EU citizens: register and get your registration certificate (read: Your first month in Spain as an EU citizen): Within three months of arrival if you stay more than three months

• Remote workers: request the special regime for inbound workers with modelo 149 (read: Your first month as a retiree or remote worker): Within six months of starting work or registering with Social Security

• Check how your city's offices work (read: Does your city change your first month in Spain?): Before booking appointments, as waiting times differ by province

Documents you may need

Identity and residence

• Passport
• Padrón certificate
• Registration in the padrón
• Your passport with the visa inside it — Your first month in Spain on a work, residency or nomad visa
• One recent passport photo — Your first month in Spain on a work, residency or nomad visa
• NIE (foreign identification number) — Your first month if you arrived as a visitor planning to settle
• NIE or DNI — Your first month when your employer is relocating you

The home and the lease

• Proof of address

Payments and receipts

• Fee receipt — Your first month in Spain as an EU citizen, Your first month in Spain on a work, residency or nomad visa

Other documents

• Family book or birth certificate for children
• Form EX-18 — Your first month in Spain as an EU citizen, Your first month in Spain on a work, residency or nomad visa

Each article lists the other documents it asks for, where you need them.

First month by your situation: questions that cross several articles

Do I need an NIE in my first month if I am an EU citizen?

No, an NIE is not legally needed to live in Spain in your first month, but you will need it for a bank account, a long lease, work, taxes and Social Security. EU registration gives you a certificate that shows your NIE.

Which first-month steps need a padrón certificate?

The padrón certificate is typically needed for the public health card, school enrolment and, in many offices, the TIE or EU registration. Banks, some utilities and driving licence exchange also ask for it. Read Your first month in Spain with children and Your first month in Spain on a work, residency or nomad visa.

Is there a deadline to register in the padrón?

No fixed national deadline exists for the padrón, but registering is a legal obligation for everyone who lives in Spain. Do it as soon as you have an address, because other steps depend on it. See Your first month in Spain as an EU citizen for how it fits with registration.

Who gets me a Social Security number?

Your employer registers you before work starts if you are an employee, using your passport or NIE. If you are self-employed, you apply yourself before starting activity. Read Your first month when your employer is relocating you or Your first month as a retiree or remote worker.

How do I book the EU registration appointment?

Book a cita previa online with the foreigners' office or Policía Nacional, then attend with form EX-18, ID, proof of work or means plus health insurance, and the fee receipt. See Your first month in Spain as an EU citizen.