Moving to Spain? The 7 mandatory procedures you must complete to live in Spain in 2026

Spain is one of the most popular destinations in the world to move to. However, settling in the country legally requires planning and fulfilling a series of mandatory legal requirements.

At Fotocasa, we have analyzed all the necessary procedures to move to Spain, whether you are a European Union citizen or coming from outside the EU, and we explain them in this guide to make it very easy for you. In addition, we detail what documentation you will be asked for if you are thinking of renting an apartment or buying a house in Spanish territory.

What is the first mandatory legal step you must resolve before crossing the border and staying in the country for more than 90 days?

1. How do you process a residency permit in Spain?

Having a residency permit is essential to move to Spain. The procedure for obtaining a residency permit in Spain varies completely depending on whether you are a European Union citizen (EU) or if you come from a country outside the EU (non-EU). If your plan is to stay in Spanish territory for more than 90 days, the law will require a completely different administrative procedure and requirements depending on your nationality of origin.

What is the maximum amount of time I can stay in Spain in 2026?

Visas for non-EU citizens (Outside the EU)

If you come from a country outside the European Union, you must apply for your corresponding visa at the Spanish consulate in your home country, or from within Spain in specific cases such as remote work. The most common options in 2026 include student stays, employment or self-employment visas, non-lucrative residency, and the digital nomad visa.

For the latter, the law requires proving that you work remotely for foreign companies and having a minimum income of €2,765 per month. In all cases, a copy of your passport, a clean criminal record certificate, and health insurance will generally be required.

Registration certificate for European Union citizens

Citizens of an EU member state, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland do not need a visa or a temporary residency authorization to settle in Spain. They have the right to circulate, work, and live freely in the country, and are only exempt from paperwork if their stay is less than three months.

If you are going to exceed 90 days in the country, you must personally go to the Foreign National’s Office (Oficina de Extranjería) or the Police Station to register in the Central Registry of Foreigners. There, you will be immediately issued the EU Registration Certificate (the document on green paper that includes your identification number). For it to be granted, the law will require you to prove that you have a job, that you are enrolled in an official course of study, or that you possess funds and savings exceeding €9,000 along with health insurance.

2. What is the NIE and how do you get it?

The NIE (Foreigner’s Identity Number) is the sequential, personal, and unique number that administratively identifies any foreigner in Spain. It is an indispensable code that you will be asked for to carry out almost any official procedure, from signing an employment contract to buying a car or a house.

To get it, you must apply in person at the foreigner’s offices or police stations if you are in Spain, or at the consular offices in your country if you are abroad. It is essential to understand that the NIE is only a numerical identification: obtaining it is not equivalent to having a permit to reside legally in the country.

How to apply for an NIE to buy property in Spain step by step

3. What is the TIE and when should you apply for it?

The TIE (Foreigner’s Identity Card) is the physical, plastic document that proves you have a valid authorization to remain legally in Spain. Unlike the NIE, which is just a number, the TIE contains your personal details, your photograph, and the type of residency you have been granted.

Non-EU citizens are obliged to apply for this physical card at the police station within the month following their entry into Spain, provided that their permit is for longer than six months. To obtain it, you must have received prior residency approval and attend to register your fingerprints.

What is the difference between the NIE and the TIE?

The main difference between both concepts is that the NIE is an identification number on an administrative level, while the TIE is the physical document (the plastic card) that proves your legal residency in Spain. The NIE on its own does not grant you the right to reside or remain in the country.

4. Is it mandatory to register with the town hall (empadronarse) if you are going to live in Spain?

The empadronamiento is the official registry managed by the town hall that certifies at which residential address you live and from what exact date you have been doing so. This document is mandatory for all inhabitants and will be required for crucial procedures such as schooling your children or applying for a health card.

The procedure is carried out at the town hall of the locality where you establish your residence by providing your passport, your NIE, and the rental contract or title deeds of the property. Failure to comply with the obligation to register can lead to municipal financial fines of up to €150.

5. How do you open a bank account in Spain?

The requirements to open a bank account in 2026 are simple: it is enough to present your valid passport or identity document, your NIE number, and proof of your address in Spain. In addition, entities will request documents proving your employment status or the origin of your financial resources.

Having an account with a Spanish financial institution is a highly relevant step that will ease your daily financial management in the country. Although it is not mandatory for your everyday purchases, as most businesses accept cash, you will absolutely need it to set up direct debits for water and electricity bills, pay taxes, or receive your salary.

Currently, there are many free bank accounts in Spain that do not charge any type of opening or maintenance fee.

6. How to register for Social Security if I want to come and live in Spain?

If you are going to work as an employee, the employing company itself will be responsible for handling your affiliation by providing your residency details. Conversely, if you register as a self-employed worker (autónomo), you must complete the process yourself and fulfill specific tax requirements, such as proving that you are not in an irregular situation in the country.

Registering with the General Treasury of the Social Security is the procedure that grants you the right to access the benefits of the Spanish social protection system. Through this registry, you will be able to receive free public healthcare, contribute to your pension, and qualify for unemployment benefits.

7. Buying or renting a house: procedures and requirements to secure a home in Spain

Once the basic bureaucratic sequence is resolved, the time comes to establish your home in the country. Both buying and renting options have very clear regulations that you must know in advance.

Procedures and documents required to rent an apartment in Spain

To rent an apartment in Spain, landlords will demand documents that verify your identity and financial solvency. Typically, they will ask you for:

1. Identity document: Valid passport or residency card.
2. Employment contract: To check your job stability in the country.
3. The last three payslips: In order to ensure that your income covers the rent.

Additionally, you may be required to provide an employment history report (vida laboral), a tax return, or a non-defaulter tenant certificate to stand out from other candidates.

Regarding upfront payments, the law establishes that you must obligatorily pay a one-month deposit (fianza). Additional optional guarantees are limited by the LAU to a maximum of two months’ rent.

As for prices in 2026, you should know that the cost of living varies significantly by region. Madrid, Catalonia, and the Balearic Islands record the highest rents, while La Rioja, Castilla-La Mancha, and Extremadura offer the most affordable prices.

Mandatory procedures and requirements to buy a home

To buy a home in Spain as a foreigner, the indispensable legal requirement is to obtain an NIE number, formalize the transaction through a public deed before a notary, and register the property in the Property Registry.

Important: you must bear in mind that acquiring a property no longer grants an automatic right to legal residency due to the abolition of the Golden Visa.

The buying process strictly requires completing the following steps:

• Obtaining the NIE: It is the basic and mandatory identification code for any official procedure. Without it, it is not possible to open bank accounts, settle taxes, or sign the acquisition of the property.
• Signing the public deed: The notary is responsible for checking that all documentation complies with Spanish legislation, verifying property titles, the certificate of occupancy (cédula de habitabilidad), and the energy certificate.
• Property registration: This is the mandatory procedure to establish ownership of the home in the eyes of the law. Fees are regulated by official brackets according to Royal Decree 1427/1989.

If you are going to apply for mortgage financing, you should know that banks in Spain apply stricter criteria to non-residents and offer a lower financing percentage, which usually stands between 60% and 70% of the appraisal value, compared to the usual 80% that residents receive. This will force you to contribute a larger amount of your own savings to cover the down payment of the property.

Calculating expenses when buying a house in Spain 2026

Moving to Spain is a big step, but you need to do it with planning. In the current 2026 scenario, the pathways to housing and residency in Spain have been notably transformed. With the definitive elimination of the Golden Visa via real estate investment, buying a property is no longer a legal shortcut to gaining residency. Now more than ever, planning each procedure sequentially is essential to operate with legal and financial security within the national real estate market.

Do not try to rush the processes: the NIE and the town hall registration certificate (empadronamiento) are the master keys that will open the doors to both banking entities and private landlords.

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