Arriving as a Spanish citizen who has never lived in Spain

Terms used

• tarjeta sanitaria — The tarjeta sanitaria is the health card from your regional health service that gives access to public healthcare.

You need a DNI, not an NIE

The NIE is only for foreigners. Your DNI number is also your tax ID (NIF), and you use it with banks, the tax office, Social Security and employers.

Your DNI is your national identity card. It is compulsory from age 14, and a child under 14 can get one voluntarily. The Policía Nacional issues it. It works as ID in Spain and as a travel document in the EU. A DNI issued at ages 5 to 29 is valid for 5 years, and one issued at ages 30 to 69 is valid for 10 years.

The order to follow

Do these steps in this order. Each one feeds the next.

1. Enter the Spanish Civil Registry. If you were born abroad, you must be registered in the Spanish Civil Registry, normally through the consulate where your birth was registered. Start here, because the DNI office needs the certificate.
2. Register on the padrón (the local resident register) at your town hall once you have an address in Spain. Your passport is enough.
3. Get your first DNI. Book a cita previa (an online appointment) at a DNI office or a Comisaría of the Policía Nacional. Bring your Spanish birth certificate, your passport, a photo and your padrón certificate.
4. Get your Social Security number as in getting your Social Security number, using your DNI as ID.
5. Apply for your tarjeta sanitaria at your regional health service, with your padrón certificate and Social Security number.

Things to watch for

• A first DNI can be issued at many consulates abroad, so you can get it before you move. A consulate does not ask for a padrón certificate.
• A parent must be present when a minor applies.
• Each region runs its own health service, so documents and steps for the tarjeta sanitaria vary.
• If you hold no Spanish nationality, this page does not apply to you: you follow the NIE or residence-card route for foreigners. A UK citizen with Withdrawal Agreement rights who is not also Spanish holds a Withdrawal Agreement residence card and gets no DNI.
• Non-Spanish family members do not get a DNI through you. Each applies for a residence card as family of a Spanish citizen: see applying as family of a Spaniard.
  • Spouse: the right is automatic once the marriage is proven with the marriage certificate.
  • Registered partner: applies like a spouse, with the partnership registration certificate.
  • Unregistered partner: entry is facilitated and decided case by case, and you must prove the durable relationship, for example 12 months living together or a child together.
  • Child: under 21 the right is automatic, proven with a birth certificate; at 21 or over the child needs proof of dependence.
  • Parent: qualifies only if dependent on you, proven with documents on the relationship and the dependence.

Documents you need

• Spanish birth certificate (literal de nacimiento).
• Valid passport or other proof of Spanish nationality, shown in person at the appointment.
• Recent photo, needed if the office has no photo booth.
• Proof of address (padrón certificate).
• The fee of €12 for the first DNI, paid at the DNI office.