Your first month in Spain on a work, residency or nomad visa

Terms used

• TIE — The TIE is the foreigner's identity card (tarjeta de identidad de extranjero) that proves you are a legal resident in Spain.
• Cita previa — A cita previa is an appointment you must book in advance at a public office.
• Padrón — The padrón is your town hall's register of residents, and its certificate serves as proof of address.
• Modelo 790 código 012 — Modelo 790 código 012 is the payment form for the fee on your foreigner's identity card.

Key rules

• TIE deadline: Apply for your TIE within one month of entering Spain; each family member's month runs from their own entry.
• Employees: Your employer must register you with Social Security before you start work.
• Self-employed: Apply for your Social Security registration before you start, and register with the tax office.
• Non-lucrative visa: You need private health insurance with no co-payments, and you may not work.

What to do first

Your whole month is built around one deadline. You must apply for your TIE within one month of entering Spain. Everything else on this page fits around that.

If family members come with you, each person's month runs from their own entry date.

Do it in this order

1. Book your cita previa straight away. Appointments at the foreigners' office or comisaría can fill up, and the wait varies by province. Book as soon as you land, or before if the system lets you.
2. Register in the padrón at your town hall. Many offices ask for the padrón certificate as proof of address, so get it before your appointment.
3. Sort your visa-specific duties (next section). Some must be done before you start work.
4. Fill in form EX-17 and pay the fee with modelo 790 código 012. Keep the receipt.
5. Go to your appointment. You give fingerprints and hand in your documents. Take originals and photocopies.
6. Collect your card in person at the same office. The card is usually ready after about 30 days. Go by appointment or bring your collection slip.

Requirements can differ slightly between offices, so check the list on your appointment confirmation. The documents list below shows what is usually needed.

Duties that depend on your visa

Use the decision below to see which apply to you. In short:

• Work or highly qualified visa: your employer registers you with Social Security and must do so before you start work. Ask them to confirm it. Your employment contract is one of the papers you take to the TIE appointment.
• Digital nomad visa, if you are self-employed: apply for your Social Security registration before you start working. Also register with the tax office.
• Non-lucrative visa: you need private health insurance with no co-payments. You are not allowed to work.
• Student visa: you need health insurance and proof of enrolment.

If your employer or sponsor supports your move, they often handle part of this. Still ask them what they have done and what you must do yourself.

Watch for

• Counting the month from the day you enter Spain, not from the day you find a place to live.
• Turning up without photocopies or the fee receipt.

Rules for visas change. Check your own visa conditions and the date you entered Spain with the foreigners' office.

Choosing between options

Which first-month duties apply to your visa?

• Work or highly qualified visa: You work for an employer. They enrol you in Social Security and handle the alta, so you only need to follow up with them.

• Digital nomad visa, self-employed: You work for yourself. You register with Social Security yourself before starting activity.

• Non-lucrative visa: You live in Spain without working. You need private health insurance with no co-payments, and you cannot work.

Your visa type decides your extra duties. Every long-stay visa holder also applies for the TIE and registers in the padrón.

Check your visa-specific duties with the office that issued or handles your visa.

Timeline and deadlines

• Employees: your employer registers you with Social Security: before work starts

• Self-employed: apply for your Social Security registration and register with the tax office: before you start your activity

• Book your cita previa at the Policía Nacional foreigners' office or comisaría: as soon as you arrive (earliest on entry date; recommended 3 days after entry date)

• Fill in form EX-17 and pay the fee with modelo 790 código 012: before your appointment

• Attend your appointment, give fingerprints and hand in your documents: within one month of entering Spain (latest 30 days after entry date)

• Collect your card in person at the same office, by appointment or with your collection slip: usually about 30 days after the appointment

Documents you need

• Your passport with the visa inside it. Bring the original and a photocopy.

• Form EX-17, the application form for the foreigner's identity card, filled in.

• The receipt for the fee, paid with modelo 790 código 012.

• One recent passport photo.

• Your padrón certificate (the town hall's residence registration) or other proof of address. Many offices ask for it.

• Papers that match your visa: an employment contract, proof of Social Security registration, or proof of enrolment for students.

Checklist

• Book your cita previa at the foreigners' office or comisaría as soon as you arrive.

• Complete form EX-17 and pay the fee with modelo 790 código 012.

• Gather your passport with visa, fee receipt, photo, proof of address and visa-specific papers, with photocopies.

• Register in the padrón at your town hall.

• Apply for your self-employed Social Security registration before you start working, and register with the tax office.

• Collect your card in person at the same office when it is ready.

Frequently asked questions

Who registers me with Social Security if I am employed?

Your employer registers you with Social Security and gets your Social Security number, using your passport or NIE. This must happen before you start work. If your employer supported your move, it usually handles this as part of your work authorisation.

What do I do about Social Security as a self-employed digital nomad?

If you are self-employed, you apply for your own registration (the alta) in the self-employed scheme through the Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social. Do it before you start working. You also register with the tax office.

Can I work on a non-lucrative visa?

No, a non-lucrative visa does not allow you to work. You need private health insurance with no co-payments, which means you pay nothing extra when you use it.

Do I need the same documents for the TIE on every visa?

No, the core documents are the same, but extra papers depend on your visa type. That can be an employment contract, Social Security registration or proof of enrolment for students. Offices also differ, so ask yours before the appointment.