Spanish NIE Number - Residency Status in Spain

EU, Liechtenstein, Norwegian and Swiss nationals – Application for official resident status.

Nationals from countries within the EU and EEA (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) and Swiss nationals who have full-time employment with a legal contract and social security, are self-employed (paying social security and registered with the Spanish tax authorities) or who are in full-time education no longer have to apply for a residence permit in Spain. Their family members do not need a residence permit either.

However, EU and EEA nationals who are living in Spain but are not working or studying still need to apply for official resident status in Spain at the nearest police station (comisaría de policía nacional). At the police station you should go to the foreigners’ department where there may be someone who speaks English, French or German, although at locations inland this is less likely.

You will need to fill in the required form and take along the following documents:

- Your passport and 1 photocopy of the pages showing your particulars;

- 4 photographs (passport size);

plus the following depending on your status in Spain:

Retired: proof that you have sufficient funds to support yourself (e.g. bank statements) and proof of medical insurance or that you’re entitled to medical treatment under the Spanish public health system.

Apart from food and drink to match the worlds finest with regional and international restaurants throughout the country, there are many things to do in Spain, from the old story of Skiing in the morning in the Sierra Nevada and Swimming in the sun drenched Mediterranean in the afternoon, “How very tiring for you” as Basil Fawlty remarked. There are dozens of ancient cities to be explored, countryside to walk in, ride in, or for the lazy like me, just drive through. With it’s undiscovered beaches to swim in, and mountains to climb or paraglide down from. Golf courses abound and because there are so many foreign residents in Spain there is nothing you cannot do or find, in your own language or better still there is the great adventure of learning the language. With it’s blue skies and sunny days moving to Spain will add ten years to your life and take them off your age. When you live in Spain your really are living.