Even though you don’t need a visa or residence permit, you may be required to embark on one additional legal step. And that will depend on how long you would like to stay in the country:
If you are planning to stay for less than 3 months in Spain, maybe due to your holidays/tourism, then you can freely enter the country.
No need to request any kind of document.
Things are different if you will stay for more than 90 days. You will then have to register and obtain your certificate, registering your address and demonstrating you have sufficient economic funds to sustain yourself in the country, providing a health insurance contract.
The EU registry certificate* Green card/Residence Permit is the legal document any European Union national wishing to live and work in Spain for more than 3 months has to request in order to become legal in the country.
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.
This can vary from province to province but in general in excess of €6000 per adult
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.
Being on the Empadromiento *Padrón is a must in most provinces too.
REQUIREMENTS
All pages of the passport
Padrón
Passport photo on a white background
Bank Statements, 3 to 6 months, if in a Spanish Bank, then an Average balance can be obtained from the bank and stamped if necessary.
Healthcare certificate with no co payments, accident, emergency and surgeries included and the payment proof, unless autonomo or a worker then this will include all the family.
If applying for a spouse or child, then the above is needed plus the translated proof of the relationship, such as the birth certificate or marriage and must be dated within 3 months.
Tasa fee of €12
Applying for a family member that is an EU is as above,for the NON EU family member it is in 2 stages, the appointment in which both parties attend, or the applicant can obtain a digital certificate and apply on line, the 2nd stage is after approval and a visit for the Visa card.
Family members must apply for a residence card of a family member of a citizen of the European Union in person, within three months of their date of entry into Spain, 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.
In all cases, the applicant will immediately be given a certificate of application for the residence card, which is sufficient to prove the legality of his/her stay until the residence card is issued.
The residence card of a family member of a citizen of the European Union must be issued within three months of the application being submitted.
In addition to the application form, duly completed and signed by the family member of the EU citizen, the family member must submit in person the original and a copy of each of the following documents:
A full, valid passport or identity document. If it has expired, a copy of the expired document and of the renewal application.
Documentary evidence of the family relationship with the EU citizen.
In the case of an unregistered partner, documentary evidence that he/she is a stable partner and in a long-term relationship with the EU citizen, along with proof of the period of conjugal cohabitation or, where appropriate, the birth certificate(s) of the child(ren) they have had together.
In the case of a child of an EU citizen, or the child of his/her spouse or registered partner, who is over 21, documentary evidence of the child’s status as a dependent family member.
In the case of a minor child who is not residing in Spain, documentary evidence of his/her status as a family member who is dependent on the EU citizen.
In the case of a relative in the ascending line, documentary evidence of his/her status as a dependent family member.
DNI (national identity card) of the Spanish citizen or registration certificate of the EU citizen who the family member is accompanying or joining.
In the case of other family members, referred to in Article 2a(1)(a) of Royal Decree 240/2007, documentary evidence of the degree of family relationship and, where appropriate, the existence of serious health or incapacity grounds, or of cohabitation.
Three photographs.
Payment of a fee in the legally established amount.
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).
Please get in touch if you need assistance with any or all of the above.