Authority responsible for the information
Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration
State Secretariat for Migration
Directorate-General for Migration
Last update: 25-03-2026
Registering your residence
Content
Application
The persons concerned must apply in person at the Non-nationals Office in the province where they intend to stay or establish their residence or, failing that, at the relevant local police station, for registration in the Central Register of Non-nationals. An appointment is necessary in order to do this.
Deadline
The application must be made within three months of the date of entry into Spain, and the person registering will immediately be issued a registration certificate stating his/her name, nationality, address, non-national identification number (NIE) and date of registration.
Documentation
Along with the application for registration, the applicant must show a valid passport or identity document or, if it has expired, a copy of his/her passport or identity document and of the renewal application, as well as originals and copies of the relevant documentation required depending on his/her circumstances
Workers
- Employed workers must provide a confirmation of engagement from the employer or a certificate of employment. It is permissible, in all cases, for workers to submit an employment contract registered at the relevant public employment office, or proof that they are registered with the relevant social security scheme, or are in an equivalent position.
- Self-employed workers must provide proof that they are engaged in self-employed work. It is permissible, in all cases, for self-employed workers to submit proof of registration in the register of economic activities, proof of their establishment by means of their entry in the commercial register, or proof that they are registered with the relevant social security scheme, or are in an equivalent position.
Persons not in active employment
Persons who are not in active employment in Spain must provide documentary evidence of compliance with the following two conditions:
- They must have public or private health insurance, contracted either in Spain or in another country, that provides coverage in Spain for the period of their residence equivalent to that provided by the national healthcare system.
- They must have sufficient resources for themselves and their family members during their period of residence. Assessments of the adequacy of resources must be carried out on a case-by-case basis and, in all cases, take into account the personal and family circumstances of the person concerned.
Students
Students, including those enrolled in vocational training courses, must provide documentary evidence of compliance with the following conditions:
- They must be enrolled at a private or public establishment, accredited or financed by the competent education authority.
- They must have public or private health insurance, contracted either in Spain or in another country, that provides comprehensive coverage in Spain. However, this condition is deemed to be fulfilled if the student has a European Health Insurance Card which is valid for the entire period of residence and entitles him/her to healthcare, covering only necessary treatments.
Information from local authorities
You need to be registered with your municipal council in order to be able to apply for residence. The register set up for this purpose is known as the ‘padrón’ (municipal administrative register).
Access to the Local Government Map to select the relevant municipality.
Legal and/or technical references
