EU, EEA and Swiss citizens
EU Registration Certificate in Spain (Green NIE)
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen and will live in Spain for more than three months, you need to register as a resident. The registration certificate, often called the green NIE, includes your NIE and is the document Spanish offices will ask you for.
What it is
The Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión records that you are living in Spain as an EU citizen. It is a green certificate, either A4 or card-sized, and it shows your NIE. It is not an identity document, so you will carry it together with your passport or national ID card.
To register, you have to show that you fall into one of the categories in the rules: employed, self-employed, with sufficient resources and health cover, a student, or a family member of someone who qualifies. Most of the work is in proving that category properly.
Who it is for
- EU, EEA and Swiss citizens moving to Spain for more than three months.
- People starting a job or self-employed activity in Spain.
- Retirees and people living on their own income, with health insurance.
- Students enrolled in a Spanish centre.
- EU citizens who registered years ago and need an updated certificate.
Documents usually needed
- Valid passport or national ID card, original and copy.
- Application form EX-18, completed and signed.
- Proof of payment of the official fee (modelo 790, code 012).
- Proof of your category: employment contract or Social Security registration, self-employed registration, or evidence of sufficient resources and health insurance, or enrolment as a student.
- In many provinces, a recent padrón certificate.
What counts as "sufficient resources" and acceptable health insurance is assessed case by case. We review your documents before the appointment.
How we handle it
- Category review. We look at your situation and decide which category you register under and what evidence works best.
- Padrón. If you are not yet registered at your address, we arrange the padrón first.
- File and fee. We complete the EX-18, prepare the fee document and check your evidence.
- Appointment. We book the appointment at the office responsible for your province and brief you on what to expect.
- Certificate. You leave with the certificate or collect it later, depending on the office.
Timeframes
Most of the waiting is for the appointment, which depends on your province. In many offices the certificate is handed over at the appointment itself.
Price
From 200 € + VAT, including the appointment, the file and the fee document. Where you also need the padrón, we usually offer both together. The official fee is paid separately.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need it if I only spend part of the year in Spain?
The obligation applies if you stay more than three months as a resident. Second-home owners who stay less and keep their residence elsewhere usually only need a NIE. We can check your case.
Is the green certificate a residence card?
It certifies your registration as a resident, but it is not an identity document. You use it together with your passport or ID card.
My partner is not an EU citizen. Can they register?
Non-EU family members apply for a separate EU family member residence card, with its own requirements. Ask us and we will quote both procedures together.
Does the certificate expire?
The certificate generally does not show an expiry date, but some offices and banks ask for a recent one. After five years you may be able to apply for permanent residence.
Other services
Get in touch
Tell us about your case
Send us a message with your nationality, where you live now and what you need. We reply on working days, usually within one business day, with the steps and a fixed quote.
- WhatsApp+34 673 374 567
- Phone+34 673 374 567
- Emailcontact@expatwelcome.com
- WhereOnline across Spain; in-person support in Barcelona