Living in Spain

VisasRegistering andas residencea permitsfirst-time resident 

CheckYou whichmust visaapply orfor your residence permitdocument youas needsoon toas liveyou arrive in Spain. Children must also be registered with their own residency documents. 

ReadUK guidancenationals on:living in Spain must register on: 

• the differentcentral residenceregister permitsof availableforeign tonationals (‘registro central de extranjeros’) where you (inwill Spanish)

• applyingbe forissued a visabiometric fromID thecard Spanishcalled consulatea in‘Tarjeta  Londonde Identidad de Extranjero’ (TIE)
• applying forand assigned a visaunique fromForeigner theIdentity SpanishNumber consulate(‘NIE’ in– Edinburgh
• applyingNúmero de Identificación de Extranjero). Your NIE is essential for various legal and financial transactions, including buying property, opening a visabank fromaccount, paying taxes, and more.  

• the Spanishmunicipal consulateregister  Manchester(‘padrón municipal’) at your local town hall. This is necessary to access local public services in the area where you live (i.e. schools, social services etc.).

YouConsulting an immigration lawyer or gestor can gethelp with the residency process. See ‘Find a visalawyer to:in    Spain’.  

• study
• retire
• work

  Many –bureaucratic includingprocesses asin Spain have now been digitalised allowing you to consult records and submit applications online via a digital nomad

• carrysignature outcertificate ansuch internship
• receiveas medicalCl@ve.  

  See treatment

• liveFurther sources of support with familyresidency.    The inSpanish Spain
• performgovernment missionaryoffers workthe orfollowing otherinformation religiouson activitiesliving in Spain:  
  • moving to Spain 
  • volunteer registering your residence  
  • do different researchtypes of residence permit available to you (in Spanish)

  For

  Applying morefor information,a readTIE 

  To begin the Spanishprocess, government’ssee guidance onfrom livingthe inSpanish Spainauthorities (inon Spanish)registering your residency. 

  You canmust alsosubmit contactyour residence application to the Spanishimmigration consulatesoffice (Oficina de Extranjeria) in Londonthe province where you live.  

  Schedule an appointment with the immigration office, or ManchesterNational Police station through the electronic office of the Public Administration.

  Check in advance of your appointment the list of documentation you need to present on the day.   

  Your fingerprints will be taken as part of the application process.  

  After your application is processed (this usually takes a few weeks), you will need to return to the Immigration Office or Edinburghpolice station to collect your TIE card.  

  You must renew your TIE card if it is about to expire. See TIE Renewal.

  RegisteringGreen ascertificate holders

  If you have a residentgreen andA4 gettingcertificate or credit card-sized piece of paper from Extranjeria or the Police called a ‘Green Certificate’ (‘Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión Europea’) you should exchange it for a ‘Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE)’. See Applying for a TIE .  

  OnceUnlike the Green Certificate, the uniform-format biometric TIE is compatible with the new EES, simplifying travel in and out of the Schengen Zone (see New Schengen entry requirements section. It also facilitates your access to public services within Spain, and can help you arrive,access any support you needneed. Most British residents in Spain now hold a TIE.  

  British residents in Spain in possession of the Green Certificate will not be able to register:use the document as proof of legal residency status at Spanish or other Schengen borders and they will not be recognised for EES exemption. The ‘Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero’ (TIE) is the only residency document listed in the EU Schengen Border Guard Handbook and, therefore, the only document which border offices will accept as legal proof of residency.

  • Green Certificate holders may be wrongly identified as aoverstaying resident

  • onin the municipalSchengen registerarea (‘padrónand, municipal’)therefore, atdenied yourentry localto townSpain hallor other Schengen countries. To ensure you are exempt from registering with EES checks, you will need to show a TIE
  .  

  ChildrenWhile mustthe alsogreen certificate will not be registeredrecognised withfor theirtravel ownand EES exemption when EES is introduced in October, it does continue to be a valid proof of residency, and therefore, entitlement to public services within Spain.

  If you have difficulty using your green A4 certificate or credit card-sized piece of paper within Spain, you can refer to this Letter confirming the continued recognition of the certificate of registration (green residency documents.certificate) for UK residents in Spain (PDF, 216 KB, 2 pages). This document sets out the most relevant official Spanish government websites that confirm the validity of the Green Certificate.

  ReadFor ourfurther guidanceinformation in English on registeringexchanging asyour agreen residentcertificate andsee gettingthe aSpanish TIEgovernment’s residency Q&A for UK nationals and their families living in Spain.

  ExtendingIf oryou replacinghave yourlived visain orSpain residencefor permitsome time but not previously registered as resident 

  ContactIf theyou Spanishhave policebeen living in Spain for some time and have not yet registered as a resident, you should take action now. It is a legal requirement for all foreign nationals residing in Spain to register as residents. See Applying for a TIE.   

  Obtaining a ‘Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE)’ ensures you are prepared for informationthe future as this document is key to accessing vital services in later life.  It also means that you won’t face travel disruptions when the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) comes into effect on how12 to:October 2025.  

  • extend

    If you were living in Spain prior to 1st January 2021 and can demonstrate you were living in Spain legally despite not having previously registered, you and your visafamily ormembers residencymay permit

  • replacehave arights lost,under damagedthe Withdrawal orAgreement. stolenYou visawill orbe asked to submit evidence to prove that you complied with the residency permit
  criteria at the time (e.g. you were registered on the municipal registry ‘padron municipal’ and had comprehensive healthcare insurance).  

  Permanent

  If residency

  your application is successful, you will be issued with a biometric residence card called a ‘Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE).’ This card has ‘Articulo 50 TUE’ printed on it which shows that you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.  

  YouIf your application is rejected, you may be able to applyappeal. forSee permanentAppeal residencyprocess infor Spain.further information. 

  ToFor findfurther outinformation ifin you’reEnglish eligibleon andregistering howas toresident apply,see read the Spanish government’s guidanceresidency onQ&A permanentfor residenceUK nationals and their families living in Spain.

  CitizenshipAppeal process 

  SpainIf doesyour notapplication recognisefor dualresidency citizenshipor withrequest to register under the UK. 

  ToWithdrawal findAgreement is refused, read the refusal letter carefully. It will set out ifthe you’redecision, eligiblethe reasons for Spanishit, citizenship:and how to appeal. You have 1 month to appeal from the date of the refusal letter. 

  The appeal process usually has 2 steps: 

  1. readadministrative theappeal, Spanishwhere government’sa guidancedifferent onadministrative gettingauthority Spanishreviews nationality the decision 
  2. contactcourt theappeal 

  The outcome of an appeal is final. If you want to appeal, we strongly recommend you seek independent, specialised legal advice. The British Embassy cannot get involved in individual immigration applications and we cannot provide legal advice. 

  You can: 

  • seek legal advice using the Spanish MinistryBar ofAssociation Justicewebsite (Spanish (inwith Spanish)English translation) or the ‘Find a lawyer in Spain’ directory  
  • contactread theabout access Spanishto consulateslegal aid in EdinburghSpain, 
  • get Londonhelp and advice, or Manchestermake a complaint about how your registration request has been processed, free of charge, using the European Commission’s specialist assistance service

  HelpIf withyou visa,do residencynot andmeet citizenshipSpanish applicationsresidency requirements 

  TheIf Britishyou Embassydo andnot Consulateswant into Spain appeal, cannotor helpdo withnot Spanishmeet visa,the residencycriteria orto citizenshipreside applications.

  Forin anySpain questionsunder orthe issues,terms contact:of the Withdrawal Agreement, you can consider other options: 

  • yourcontact the local foreigners’immigration officeservices (extranjería)(servicio orde policeatención stational (ininmigrante) Spanish) provided by your local town hall or regional government 
  • theread the Spanish consulatesgovernment ininformation London,on Manchestergeneral immigration routes and criteria (in Spanish). This includes information on how to apply for residence status under exceptional circumstances, such as if you are a victim of domestic violence, or Edinburgh if you can prove strong family, work or social links to Spain 
  • ancontact English-speakingorganisations lawyerthat specialise in Spainmigration issues, such as ACCEM  (in Spanish) or Migrar.org (in Spanish) run by the Red Cross 

  Residency

  read ifinformation youon movedreturning to Spainthe UK

  If beforeyou 1already Januaryhave 2021

  a TIE  

  If you movedalready have a TIE, it is your responsibility to Spainensure beforethat 1your Januarydetails 2021,(i.e. address) are up to date and haveyou beenmust legallyrenew livingyour thereTIE sincecard then,if it is about to expire. See TIE renewal.

  You must also ensure that you andare correctly registered on the municipal register (‘padron municipal’).

  If your familyTIE memberswas haveissued under the Withdrawal Agreement see TIE holders with rights under the Withdrawal Agreement. for further information.

  ResidenceTIE documentsrenewal  

  You ifshould youapply moved to Spainrenew your TIE 30 days before 1the Januarydocument 2021

  Thereexpires, areor 2within types90 days of residenceits documentexpiry thatdate. 

  If you mayneed haveto iftravel yououtside movedSpain during the renewal process, apply for a Autorización de Regreso to Spainallow beforere-entry 1to JanuarySpain 2021.after Thesetravel areoutside the:the country.

  foreigner’s

  TIE identityappointment cardavailability 

  We (‘TIE’are aware that some British nationals in Spain are having difficulty booking appointments to obtain or ‘Tarjetarenew their Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero’)Extranjero (TIE). 

  We continue to raise this issue with Spanish authorities and have asked them to improve appointment availability. 

  What you can do: 

  • check the appointment system regularly 
  • ‘green’try certificateaccessing (‘Certificadothe deappointment Registrosystem deusing Ciudadanoa deDigital laID Unión(i.e. Europea’)
  Cl@ve. See Further sources of support with residency
  • consider using a gestor or immigration lawyer. See our list of English-speaking lawyers in Spain 

  Complaints about TIE appointments 

  If you haveare experiencing difficulties securing an appointment to apply for or collect a greenTIE, certificate,you thecan Spanishsubmit authoritiesa andcomplaint to the Britishcentral Embassygovernment andrepresentative Consulates(Delegacion inde Spaingobierno) stronglyin recommendthe thatprovince where you exchangelive iteither forby post or online if you have a TIEdigital ID (i.e. Cl@ve. See list of links to each regions online complaints process. 

  TheShould TIEyou iscontinue to have difficulties, you can also present a complaint online in Spanish or English to the onlyNational validPublic residencyOmbudsman document(Defensor listeddel Pueblo). See their FAQs for further information in English about the Withdrawalcomplaints Agreement.process.

  TIE Asholders awith result,rights under the Withdrawal Agreement

  If you cannothave usebeen issued a green‘Tarjeta certificatede asIdentidad proofde thatExtranjero you(TIE)’ dowith not‘Articulo need50 toTUE’ registerprinted withon theit, newthis EUshows Entry/Exitthat Systemyou (EES).have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.  

  ForThe morerights information,of includingBritish hownationals toprotected makeunder the exchange,Withdrawal readAgreement ourare guidancenot dependent on registeringholding a valid TIE card. The card serves as aevidence residentof andthose gettingrights, abut its expiry does not mean the loss of residency status.  

  You must renew your TIE card if it is about to expire. See TIE Renewal. When EES is launched in October, if you travel on an expired TIE you may be registered in EES or face other travel difficulties.  

  If you do notgo haveahead and travel without a valid TIE, you should carry as much evidence of your residence documentin Spain as possible and be prepared to explain your situation to Border Officials.

  Family members of TIE holders with rights under the Withdrawal Agreement

  If you werehave livingbeen issued a ‘Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE).’ with ‘Articulo 50 TUE’ printed on it, this shows that you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement and your close family members are able to join you and settle in Spain beforeat 1any Januarytime 2021,in butthe dofuture. notRead havemore information on who this applies to in the Living in Europe guidance. They should apply online before moving to Spain (in Spanish) or through a residencethird document,party youin mustSpain, registersuch as a residentlawyer. andAlternatively, getthey acan TIEapply now.within 3 months of arrival to Spain. 

  ReadDepending ouron guidancetheir onnationality, registeringsome asnon-EU family members may need a residentvisa andbefore gettingtravel. aThe TIE.Spanish Thisauthorities coversshould howissue toWithdrawal applyAgreement forfamily reunion visas free of charge. 

  You may be asked to provide a TIEforeign andmarriage makerecognition ancertificate appealin ifsupport of your spouse’s application isif unsuccessful.all of the following are true: 

  Renewing

  • you yourare residenceBritish documentand ifregistered as resident in Spain 
  • you movedgot tomarried in a country other than Spain beforeor 1the UK 
  • your Januaryspouse 2021

  is applying to register as resident in Spain 

  You’llRead needthe Spanish government’s guidance for ‘UK nationals and their family members residing in Spain’. This explains how you and your close family members can apply for the TIE and how to renew your residenceTIE documentbefore when it expires.expires. 

  Registering on the municipal register ‘Padron Municipal’ 

  ReadIf ouryou guidancelive in Spain, you must register on the municipal register ‘padrón municipal’ —a local register of residents maintained by your town hall. This is separate from registering as a resident andin gettingSpain a(Registro TIECentral forde informationExtranjeros). 

  Padron onregistration howis key to renew.    accessing public services such as healthcare and social services, enrolling children in school, registering a vehicle and much more.  

  Bringing

  You familymust membersregister toat Spainyour usual address, even if you movedrent thereor beforelive 1with Januaryothers. 2021

  You can only be registered at one address. 

  The Spanishregistration government’sprocess frequentlyvaries askedby questionsregion aboutand Brexitsome (PDF,town 1,520KB) halls explains:may charge a small fee.  

  You may need to: 

  • whichbook familyan membersappointment canonline join(cita youprevia) inor Spainapply online 
  • howcomplete anda whenregistration theyform should(solicitud applyde foralta), theiravailable residencefrom documentyour town hall or its website
  • feescheck andwith processingyour timestown hall which documents you should take to your appointment  

  IfYou youwill wantbe toissued bringwith a ‘certificado de empadronamiento’, a spousepadron orcertificate.  

  It civilis partneryour responsibility to livekeep withyour padrón registration up to date. If you inmove Spain,house, readeven guidanceif onit foreignis marriagewithin recognitionthe certificatessame fortown, Britishyou nationals.

  Passportsmust request a ‘cambio de domicilio’ and travel

  register your new address. If you move to a new town, you must register at your new address; de-registration is automatic. If you decide to leave Spain, you should request a ‘baja por residencia’ at your town hall. 

  ReadThe ourpadron guidancecertificate onis moving,a livingstandard documentary requirement for many administrative processes in Spain. You will often be asked to present a padron certificate issued with the last 3 months. You can request a duplicate certificate in person at your town hall, online (if available), by post or retiringdownload abroadit instantly using a digital ID (e.g. certificado digital or Cl@ve.

  Further Thissources coversof howsupport to:

  with residency

  • apply Cl@ve foris Spain’s secure digital ID system that allows you to access public services online. You can download ‘padron’ certificates, employment records and tax returns as well as booking appointments with public administration offices. Having a Britishdigital passportID fromcan abroadalso be helpful when trying to book an appointment at the Police Foreigners Office (Oficina de Extranjeria)  
  • travelconsulting urgentlyan withoutimmigration yourlawyer Britishor passportspecialist can help with the residency process. See our ‘Find a lawyer in Spain’ directory 

  Alwaysresidency carryfor UK nationals yourliving passportin andSpain residencebefore document1 (TIEJanuary 2021
   

• EU)’s whenfrequently entering,asked leavingquestions orabout travellingthe withinnew the SchengenSchengen areaentry requirements (EES.
  

Passports Ifand you’retravel

You askedcan toapply showfor or renew your British passport atfrom borderSpain. control,The makeBritish sureEmbassy youdoes alsonot showissue yourpassports.

Check residencethe documentSpain ortravel otheradvice evidencefor ofpassport residencevalidity status.requirements.

Always Yourcarry your passport maywhen betravelling stampedwithin ifthe youSchengen doarea. not.    

If you have dual citizenship of an EU or or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) country, in addition to your British citizenship, you should enter and leave Spain using your your EU or or EFTA passport.

Dual

On citizens12 travellingOctober to2025, the UK

WhenEU travellingplans to theintroduce UK,a Britishnew citizensdigital mustEntry/Exit carrySystem a(EES). validTo Britishbe passportexempt orfrom certificateregistering ofwith entitlementthe EU’s Entry Exit System. Read(EES), guidanceBritish onresidents dualin citizenship.

Residentthe EU will childrenbe travellingrequired withoutto show a parentuniform-format orbiometric legalcard guardian

Readwhich ouris guidancelisted onas notariala andresidency document servicesunder inthe Spain.Withdrawal ThisAgreement. coversFor lettersresidents of authoritySpain, forthat residentcard childrenis travellingthe from‘Tarjeta Spainde withoutIdentidad ade parentExtranjero or(TIE). legalView guardian.

the EU’s entry/exitfrequently systemasked (EES)

questions about the EES.

UnderIt will require third country nationals, including UK nationals, visiting the newEU to create a digital Entry/Exitrecord Systemand (EES)provide theretheir arebiometric newdata rules(fingerprints forand entering,facial leavingimage) orat travellingthe withinborder the Schengenwhen area.they Non-enter the EU’s nationalsSchengen entering,Zone. leavingGreen orCertificates travellingwill withinnot the Schengenbe arearecognised willand needGreen toCertificate haveholders theirmay photobe andwrongly fingerprintsidentified takenas overstaying in the Schengen area and, therefore, denied entry to Spain or verifiedother atSchengen countries. Contact the border.Spanish ThisGovernment’s ‘Extranjeria’ dataoffices for willinformation beon storedhow to apply for the new TIE.

If you stay in Spain with a digitalSpanish recordresidence andpermit usedor tolong-stay monitorvisa, howthis longtime visitorsdoes havenot spentcount intowards your 90-day visa-free limit for the Schengen area.

BritishIf nationalsyou legallyvisit residentother inSchengen area countries outside Spain, andmake whosure haveyou ado biometricnot residenceexceed cardthe (‘TIE’visa-free or90 ‘Tarjetadays dein Identitdadany de180-day Extranjero’),period. doYou notare needresponsible tofor registercounting withhow long you stay under the EES.Schengen visa waiver, and you must comply with its conditions.

IfDifferent rules apply if you haveare travelling to other EU and Schengen countries as a ‘green’resident certificateof (CertificadoSpain. deCheck Registroeach country’s travel advice page for information on entry requirements.

If you were living in Spain before 1 January 2021

When you travel, carry your ‘Tarjeta de CiudadanoIdentidad de laExtranjero Unión(TIE)’ Europea),or frontier worker permit issued under the Withdrawal Agreement, in addition to your valid passport.

You must proactively show your TIE if you willare needasked to registershow withyour thepassport EES.at  border control.

IfTo you’rebe legallyexempt residentfrom registering with the EU’s Entry Exit System (EES) which is expected to launch on 12 October 2025, British residents in Spainthe EU will butbe dorequired notto haveshow a TIE,uniform-format readbiometric ourcard guidancewhich onis registeringlisted as a residentresidency anddocument gettingunder athe TIEWithdrawal Agreement. For residents of Spain, that card is the TIE. View the EU’s frequently asked questions about the EES.

ForIt morewill informationrequire aboutthird howcountry thenationals, EESincluding works,UK read:

• nationals, visiting the EU guidanceto oncreate a digital record and provide their biometric data (fingerprints and facial image) at the EES
• guidanceborder onwhen they enter the EESEU’s forSchengen UKZone. nationals

HealthcareGreen Certificates will not be recognised and Green Certificate holders may be wrongly identified as overstaying in Spain 

Readthe ourSchengen guidancearea onand, moving,therefore, livingdenied entry to Spain or retiringother abroadSchengen countries. Contact the Spanish Government’s ‘Extranjeria’ offices. for Thisinformation coverson how to:

• planto yourapply healthcare
• takefor medicinethe abroad

new TIE.

ToIf findyou outcannot howprove that you are a resident in Spain, you may be asked additional questions at the border to getenter medicalthe treatment:EU.    

• readYour guidancepassport onmay healthcarebe instamped Spainon entry and healthexit. This will not affect your rights in Spain
• findthe English-speakingcountry medicalor facilitiescountries where you live or work. If a passport is stamped, the stamp is considered null and doctorsvoid forwhen Britishyou nationalscan inshow Spain

Workingevidence inof Spain 

lawful residence.

ReadIf ouryou guidancehave onrights moving,under livingthe orWithdrawal retiringAgreement, abroad.you Thiscan coversenter workingand abroad,exit includingSpain documentswith youa mayvalid passport. You do not need fromany additional validity on the UKpassport government.beyond the dates on which you are travelling.

Children travelling from Spain

ToChildren work(under 18 years old) resident in Spain, youwho travel out of Spain without a person who has parental responsibility, may need a workcertified permitauthorisation orby workthat visa.person. OurThis guidanceis onrequired travellingin addition to a valid travel document.

The regulation does not apply to foreign children resident in Spain forwho workare explainssubject to the differentlaw workof permitstheir andcountry visasof availablenationality, or to you.non-resident foreign children visiting Spain.

YouThe Spanish immigration authorities are aware that there is no similar standard regulation in the UK and, therefore, British consulates do not provide travel authorisation documents.

British children do not need written permission to travel unless they are subject to a workcourt permitorder orwhich visastates ifthat youwritten havepermission beenis livingrequired infrom Spainthose legallyholding sinceparental beforeresponsibility. 1If Januarythe 2021,child asis subject to such a court order, or to ensure that an unaccompanied child will be able to leave Spain without delay, you havemust rightsobtain undera thecertified Withdrawalauthorisation Agreementfrom a public notary.   in Spain.

ToIf applyyou have parental responsibility for aSpanish job,children in Spain, you maycan needobtain toa providecertified a:

• UKauthorisation policeat certificate
• Spanisha criminalnotary, recordsa certificatenational police station (in Spanish)
• certificate fromor the SpanishGuardia sexCivil offenders registry (in Spanish),.

  Flight todiscounts workfor withresidents children

• recordin ofCanary yourIslands, employmentBalearic historyIslands, inCeuta Spain

and Melilla

IfRead youthe liveSpanish ingovernment’s Spainguidance andon werewho regularlyis commutingeligible to workaccess indiscounts another EU oron Europeanflights Free(in TradeSpanish), Associationand (EFTA)on countryhow beforethis 1has Januarychanged 2021,for readUK guidancenationals forsince frontier1 workersJanuary 2021.

Recognition

Healthcare

Read ofour qualificationsguidance on healthcare in Spain and make sure you are correctly registered for your circumstances.

If you wantare toresident work in aSpain, regulatedyou professionmust not use your UK-issued EHIC or GHIC for healthcare in Spain, unless you mayare needa student or a detached (posted) worker.

Travel insurance is also not intended to getcover yourhealthcare foreigncosts qualificationsif recognisedyou live overseas.

Read aboutthe recognitionSpanish ofgovernment’s foreignguidance degreeson inaccess Spainto healthcare.     

You mayshould also needread guidance on:

• finding an English-speaking doctor in Spain
• travelling with medicines (NHS)

Working in Spain

If you are planning to getmove yourto qualificationSpain legalisedand beforework, ityou canmust beapply recognised.for Readthe aboutappropriate legalisingvisa.
See UKthe documentsSpanish Consulate in ourLondon, guidance[Edinburgh](Consular onservices documentsor [Manchester] (https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/Manchester/en/ServiciosConsulares/Paginas/Home.aspx) for Britishinformation peopleon abroad.how to apply. Application processing times vary and you should only make travel arrangements once your visa has been issued.

Driving

Read the Spanish government’s guidance on:

• working in Spain 

Spain as a foreign national

how to get a visa

Read ourthe guidance on moving,visas livingand orapplying retiringfor abroad.a Thisvisa coversat how to:the:

• driveSpanish abroadconsulate legallyin London
• takeSpanish yourconsulate UKin vehicle abroadManchester
• getSpanish drivingconsulate licencein lettersEdinburgh

The SpanishTo Directorateapply General for Traffica (injob, Spanish)you providesmay informationneed onto drivingprovide in Spain, including how to:a:

• applyUK for,criminal renewrecords orcertificate
• Spanish replacecriminal arecords Spanishcertificate driving(Certificado licencede Antecedentes Penales)
• exchange certificate yourfrom drivingthe licenseSpanish sex offenders registry (Certificado de Delitos de Naturaleza Sexual) to work with children
• registerrecord aof foreignyour vehicleemployment history in Spain from Seguridad Social (a Vida Laboral certificate)

ForRead:

• working moreor information,providing readservices guidancein on:
  Spain
  • drivingworking in thean EU country
  • roadEU travelguidance inon Spain,working in safetyan andEU securitycountry
  • guidance inon thehow travelto adviceget foryour UK academic or professional qualifications recognised in Spain
  • the UKSpanish andgovernment’s Spain’sguidance agreement on the recognitionright andof exchangeUK ofnationals drivingto licenceswork in the public sector

  Driving

  If you plan to work in SpainSpain, usingeven if you work for a foreignUK-based drivingcompany, licence

  Youthis canmay driveaffect inwhere Spainyou forpay upNational toInsurance-type 6contributions. monthsRead usingthe aNational drivinginsurance licenceand issuedsocial in:security  contributions section for more information.

  • the

    If UK

  • Gibraltar
  • Jersey
  • Guernsey
  • theyou Islewere ofliving Man
  in Spain before 1 January 2021

  You cannothave replacethe right to work without a visa, under the Withdrawal Agreement.You can use your TIE or renewgreen anyA4 certificate or credit-sized piece of thesepaper licencesas ifproof of your right to work.

  If you live in Spain.

  ExchangingSpain aand UKwere regularly commuting to work in another EU or GibraltarEFTA drivingcountry licence

  Tobefore continue1 drivingJanuary after2021, 6read months,our youguidance mustfor exchangefrontier workers.

  Professional and academic qualifications

  You may need to get your drivingprofessional licencequalification recognised if ityou waswant issuedto work in thea UKprofession orthat Gibraltar.is    regulated in Spain.

  You’llRead needguidance to:on:

  • recognition of professional qualifications
  • how to get ayour checkqualification coderecognised fromin theSpain

  Recognition DVLAand legalisation of UK –academic fordocuments

  If English,you Welshneed andyour ScottishUK drivingacademic licences

• getqualification aofficially checkrecognised codein fromSpain, follow the DriverSpanish andMinistry Vehicleof AgencyEducation’s (DVA)guidance –(in forSpanish).

  Your Northerndegree Irishcertificate drivingor licences

Youother shoulddocuments applyneed forto thebe exchangecertified beforeby a UK notary public and then legalised by the 6FCDO monthsLegalisation Office. This legalisation service is over.not Applicationsprovided mayby takethe timeBritish toEmbassy process,in andMadrid, you’llUK needconsulates in Spain, or the British Council in Spain.

Read guidance on getting your SpanishUK licencedegree toqualification drivecertified legally. and legalised in the UK.

ApplyingIf foryou awere Spanishliving drivingin licence   Spain before 1 January 2021

If yourthe drivingrelevant licenceregulator wasin issuedSpain inofficially Jersey,recognised Guernseyyour professional qualification before 1 January 2021, or you started the Islerecognition ofprocess Man,by this date, make sure you cannotunderstand exchangethe it.terms Youof mustyour applydecision. forYou ashould Spanishget licenceadvice asfrom athe non-EUrelevant national.regulator.

Studying in Spain

YouIf willyou needplan to passstudy in Spain, carry out an internship or take up a theoryplacement testas anda practicallanguage drivingassistant, test.you must meet all visa requirements before you travel.

Disabled drivers

YouContact maythe berelevant ablehigher education provider in Spain to applycheck for:what fees you may have to pay.

Read guidance on:

• ancontinuing your studies in the EU
• studying parkingin cardthe forEuropean people with disabilitiesUnion
• aimmigration Spanishroutes disabledfor parkingstudents, cardinternships –and contactlanguage yourassistants
• visas localfor townstudents, hallinternships orand sociallanguage servicesassistants department

Iffrom youthe haveSpanish aConsulates UKin blueLondon, badgeEdinburgh and liveManchester

healthcare for students in Spain,Spain

If you mustwere returnliving  itin toSpain thebefore original1 UKJanuary issuing authority.

2021

Tax   

ReadThe ourstudying guidancein onthe moving,European livingUnion orguidance includes retiringinformation abroad.if Thisyou coverswere tax,already includingliving payingin UKSpain taxbefore and1 NationalJanuary Insurance. 2021.

Tax

The UK has a a double taxation agreement with Spain so so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.

Contact Ask the Spanishrelevant Taxtax Agencyauthority  foryour any questions about double taxation relief.

ConsiderYou gettingshould seek professional advice on paying tax in Spain.Spain Tofrom doa this,lawyer find(see an‘Find English-speakinga lawyer in SpainSpain’ directory.

You) canor alsofrom instruct a ‘gestor’.‘gestor’ (or ‘gestoría’). A gestor is a private professional agent who canspecialises dealin dealing with yourSpanish administrative bureaucracy such as tax and accountancy foron you.behalf Youof cana findclient.

It ais qualifiedcommon gestorpractice in yourSpain areato usinginstruct a gestor, although other countries may not have this service. See the National Register of Accredited Gestores (infor Spanish).a directory of gestores in your area.

Read guidance about:

• tax if you leave the UK to live abroad
• tax on your UK income if you live abroad
• tax if you get a pension and live abroad
• paying income tax in Spain
• paying tax in Spain from the Spanish Tax Authority
• EU factsheet on buying goods online from UK websites

Declaring your assets

IfAs you’rea residentSpanish inresident, Spain,you you: 

• must declare allyour assetsglobal income to the Spanish authorities, no matter which country it came from. If you holdare outsidenot Spain
• a resident, you will only pay tax on income that came from Spain.

  You may need to file an annual taxdeclaration return

of overseas assets called a Modelo 720. There are penalties if you do not file, or give incorrect or incomplete information.

Baja consular

ContactBritish aconsulates tax adviser in Spain forno morelonger information. 

Nationalissue Insuranceletters    

Checkto ifsupport youa needtransfer toof payaddress Nationalfor Insuranceimportation ifof you’revehicles goingor tohousehold workgoods, inor thea EU,change Gibraltar,of Iceland,registration Liechtenstein,plates Norway,(also orknown Switzerland.

Pensions    

Claimingas youra UK‘baja pension

consular’).

ReadYou ourcan guidanceprovide onthe moving,following livingdocuments orinstead retiringof abroad.a Thisbaja covers:consular:

• howwork tocontract claimor yourproof UKof State Pensionself-employment
• wherea theresidence UKpermit governmentor payswork anpermit annualfor increasethe country you’ve been living in the– Stateif Pensionyou’re coming from outside the UK

YourIf UKyou do not have these, contact the Spanish state pensiontax isadministration calculatedagency (Agencia differentlyEstatal ifde you’veAdministración previouslyTributaria/AEAT).

If livedthe intax Australia,authorities Canadainsist oron Newa Zealandletter andfrom nowthe liveconsulate, inyou can print out a letter explaining that the EUconsulate no longer issues the baja consular (PDF.,   141 KB, 1 page).

Claiming

National ainsurance Spanishand pension

social security contributions

YouNational mayInsurance-type becontributions able(NIC) are called ‘social security contributions’ (SSC) in Spain. Find out if you need to claimpay aNational SpanishInsurance pensionin (inthe Spanish)UK or social security contributions. in Spain.

ToIf findyou outplan to move to Spain and work, even if you’reyou eligiblecontinue working for a UK-based company, you and howyour employer may need to claim:

• contactpay yoursocial localsecurity contributions in Spain. These social security officecontributions (‘Institutowould Nacionalentitle deyou Seguridadto Social’certain orbenefits, ‘INSS’)
• readsuch theas Spanishhealthcare, government’sin Spain.

  Read guidance on National insurance for pensionersworkers from the UK working in the EEA or Switzerland.

Check your UK National Insurance record.

Benefits Benefits

Claiming UK benefits

Read our guidance on moving,entitlement livingto orUK retiringbenefits abroadand pensions. Thiswhile coversyou howare toliving claimin UKSpain.

Check which benefits abroad,you includingcan Childclaim Benefit. while    abroad and how to claim them.

YouMany canincome-related alsobenefits readsuch guidanceas onPension benefitsCredit and pensionsHousing forBenefit UKcannot nationalsbe inpaid theif EU,you’re EEAabroad orfor Switzerland.more than 4 weeks.

Claiming Spanish benefits  

You may be eligibleentitled forto some Spanish benefits.  

To find out if you’reyou eligibleare entitled to Spanish benefits and how to claim:claim, you can:

• speak to a social worker (‘trabajador(trabajador social’)social) at your local town hall (ayuntamiento) (in Spanish)
• read the guidance from the Spanish Ministry of Social Rights
• read the guidance from the Institute for Senior Citizens and Social Services (IMSERSO) (inor Spanish)contact the Institute for more information
• read the Spanish government’sgovernment guidance on social security benefits for workers (in Spanish)

BuyingPensions

Read guidance on entitlement to UK benefits and rentingpensions propertywhile you are living in Spain.

Read ourState Pension guidance onif moving,you livinghave lived in Australia, Canada or retiringNew abroadZealand. Thisand coversyou buyingare andclaiming rentingor propertywaiting abroad. to claim your UK State Pension.

YouIf you retire in Spain, you can alsoclaim:

• your readUK aboutState buyingPension andor rentingnew propertyUK State Pension. Contact the International Pension Centre for further information
• pensions if you’ve worked in Spainother EU countries. 

Read the Money and Pension Service’s MoneyHelper guidance on pension and retirement for more information on cross-border pensions.

Life Certificates for UK State Pensions

ContactIf an English-speakingyou lawyerget ina Spain‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service if, you’reyou consideringmust buyingrespond propertyas orsoon land.as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you do not.

VotingMoney inand Spain  banking

Whether UK elections

banks can provide service to customers living in the EEA depends on local laws and regulation.

Read ourthe Money and Pension Service’s MoneyHelper guidance on moving,banking, livinginsurance and financial services for more information on cross-border banking.

Accommodation and buying property

Read guidance on how to buy or retiringlet abroadproperty in Spain.

Driving Thisin coversSpain

Read howthe to:guidance on:

• votewhat inyou UKneed electionsto fromdrive abroadin the EU
• registerroad astravel anin overseas voterSpain

Spanish elections

You cannot voterenew inor generalreplace your UK, Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or regionalIsle electionsof inMan Spaindriving unlesslicence if you holdlive Spanishin citizenship.Spain.

YouIf alsoyou cannothave voteone of these licences, you can use it to drive for up to 6 months after becoming resident in EuropeanSpain. ParliamentaryTo electionscontinue unlessdriving after this, you holdmust citizenshipapply offor ana EUSpanish driving licence.

The process for obtaining a Spanish licence depends on whether you have a UK, country.Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man licence.

You cancannot voteuse inan localInternational electionsDriving inPermit Spain(IDP) ifinstead of a Spanish licence.

From 16 March 2023 you havecan beendrive residentusing foryour 3valid UK or yearsGibraltar andlicence areuntil on15 September. This is a temporary measure that the electoralUK register.and Spanish governments have agreed.

Studying

If inyou Spain  

have a valid UK or Gibraltar driving licence

If you planwere living in Spain before 16 March 2023, you can use your valid UK or Gibraltar driving licence to studydrive in Spain,Spain youfor must6 meetmonths allfrom  visathis requirements beforedate you(15 travel.September).

If you move to Spain legallyafter since16 beforeMarch 12023, Januaryyou 2021,can asdrive using your valid UK or Gibraltar licence for six months from the date you haveacquire rightsresidency. underWe recommend you start the Withdrawalexchange Agreementprocess. during this time.

ForExchange moreis informationpossible readafter guidancesix on:months, but your UK licence will not be valid for driving in Spain while you await your exchange to be completed.

Read:

• studyingthe inSpanish theTraffic EUAuthority (DGT) information on how to exchange your UK and Gibraltar licence for a Spanish one.
• travelthe grantstext forof studentsthe studyingAgreement abroadbetween orthe UK and Spain on placementsthe (England)recognition and exchange of driving licences (in English)

You canwill alsoneed contact:to present a ‘check code’ from the DVLA, along with other documentation, at your appointment. If you have problems obtaining a check code, contact the DVLA on +44 300 083 0013.

• If your educationlicence providerwas issued in Northern Ireland, read Northern Ireland government guidance to obtain the UKcheck orcode. Spain

• If you have problems obtaining a check code, contact the SpanishDVA.

  If consulatesyour licence was issued in London,Gibraltar Manchesteryou do not need a check code.

  Expired UK or Edinburgh

Gibraltar licences

Children     

ReadSpanish ourauthorities guidancewill onexchange moving,your livingexpired UK or retiringGibraltar abroad.licence Thisfor coversa movingSpanish abroadone withif children,it including:was valid when you entered Spain. You cannot drive on an expired UK licence.

getting
We permissionknow tothat takesome yourUK childlicence abroad
claimingholders with expired UK Childdriving Benefitlicences abroad
child(primarily maintenancethose paymentsover if70) ahave parentbeen livesexperiencing abroad

issues when trying to exchange their licence for a Spanish one.

YouThe canDepartment alsoof readTransport has been working to resolve this issue with the Spanish government’sGovernment guidanceand oncan familyconfirm benefits.

Schoolsthat andSpain’s education

TheTraffic EuropeanAuthority Commission(DGT) provideswill informationbe aboutable to exchange expired UK licences, as long as they expired after the schoolindividual systemmoved into Spain.Spain.

AllA childrendigital aged“check 6code” to 16enable mustthe attendDGT schoolverify inthese Spain.licences   is available via gov.uk.