LEGAL & RELOCATION

Legal Immigration Consultancy

Our legal department handles everything from visa applications and residency permits to NIE numbers, city hall registrations, and rental disputes. We make Spanish bureaucracy simple.

Legal Immigration Services
WHAT WE OFFER

Legal & Relocation Services

From visas to driving licenses, we handle all the paperwork

Residence Permits & Visa Processing

Digital Nomad Visa, Non-Lucrative Visa, Golden Visa, and all types of residency permits.

CUE Application

EU citizen registration certificate for residing in Spain.

NIE Application

Foreigner identification number required for all official transactions.

TIE Application

Foreigner identity card for non-EU residents in Spain.

Empadronamiento Registration

City hall registration required to access local services.

Social Security Registration

Register with the Spanish social security system.

Tax Office Registration

Register with the Spanish tax authorities (Agencia Tributaria).

Certificado Digital Registration

Obtain your digital certificate for online government procedures.

Assistance with Insurance

Help with health, car, home, and other insurance needs.

Property Investment Guidance

Legal advice for buying property in Spain as a foreigner.

Rental Dispute Resolution

Legal support for any issues with your rental property or landlord.

Company Registration

Set up your business in Spain with full legal support.

Legal consultation
WHY CHOOSE US

Expert Legal Team at Your Service

Our legal department consists of experienced immigration lawyers who understand the complexities of Spanish bureaucracy. We make the process smooth and stress-free.

  • Expert legal team with years of immigration experience
  • Personalized guidance throughout the entire process
  • Direct communication in English, Spanish, and Dutch
  • Fast-track processing for urgent applications
  • Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
IMMIGRATION GLOSSARY

Essential Spanish Immigration Terms

Clear definitions of key terms you'll encounter when relocating to Spain

Foreigner Identity Number (NIE)

The NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is a unique identification number assigned to all foreigners who have legal, financial, or social dealings in Spain. It is required for nearly every official transaction, including opening a bank account, signing a rental contract, paying taxes, and buying property. The NIE is a number only, not a physical card — it is typically issued on a certificate or stamped document.

Timeline
2–6 weeks
Cost
~€12 (Tasa 790-012)
Who needs it
All foreigners conducting any official, financial, or legal transaction in Spain, including both EU and non-EU citizens

Requirements

  • Valid passport or national ID card (EU citizens)
  • Completed EX-15 form (Solicitud de Número de Identidad de Extranjero)
  • Proof of reason for requesting NIE (e.g., employment contract, property purchase agreement)

Foreigner Identity Card (TIE)

The TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) is a physical biometric ID card issued to non-EU nationals who hold a valid residence permit in Spain. It serves as the primary identification document for non-EU residents and contains the holder's NIE number, photograph, and fingerprint data. The TIE must be applied for within 30 days of entering Spain or receiving a residence authorization.

Timeline
30–45 days
Cost
~€16.32 (Tasa 790-062)
Who needs it
Non-EU/EEA nationals who hold a valid residence permit or visa for Spain

Requirements

  • Valid passport (original and copy)
  • Completed EX-17 form
  • Proof of residence permit or visa authorization

EU Citizen Registration Certificate (CUE)

The CUE (Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión) is the official registration certificate for EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens who plan to reside in Spain for more than three months. It is a green credit-card-sized document that contains the holder's NIE number and confirms their right to reside in Spain. EU citizens are required to register within three months of arrival if they intend to stay longer.

Timeline
1–3 weeks
Cost
~€12 (Tasa 790-012)
Who needs it
EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens who plan to reside in Spain for more than three months

Requirements

  • Valid passport or national ID card
  • Completed EX-18 form
  • Proof of employment, self-employment, sufficient financial resources, or enrollment in an educational institution

Municipal Registration

Empadronamiento is the process of registering on the padrón municipal (municipal census) at your local town hall (ayuntamiento) in Spain. It is a mandatory registration for anyone living in Spain, regardless of nationality or immigration status. The empadronamiento certificate is required for accessing public healthcare, enrolling children in school, applying for residency permits, and many other administrative procedures.

Timeline
Same day to 1 week
Cost
Free
Who needs it
Everyone living in Spain, regardless of nationality or immigration status

Requirements

  • Valid passport or national ID card
  • Proof of address: rental contract, property deed, or authorization letter from the property owner
  • Completed solicitud de alta en el padrón municipal form (varies by municipality)

Related terms

Digital Certificate

The Certificado Digital is an electronic certificate issued by the FNMT (Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre — Spain's Royal Mint) that allows individuals to identify themselves securely online when interacting with Spanish government agencies. It enables filing taxes, checking Social Security records, accessing the public healthcare portal, and completing many other administrative procedures entirely online. The certificate is installed in the user's web browser or on a dedicated device.

Timeline
1–2 weeks
Cost
Free (issued by FNMT)
Who needs it
Anyone who needs to complete administrative procedures with Spanish government agencies online, including tax filing and Social Security matters

Requirements

  • Valid NIE or DNI number
  • Online request at the FNMT website (www.sede.fnmt.gob.es)
  • In-person identity verification at a registration office (oficina de registro), Social Security office, or AEAT tax office

Digital Nomad Visa

Spain's Digital Nomad Visa (Visado para teletrabajo de carácter internacional), introduced under Law 28/2022 (the Startups Act), allows non-EU remote workers employed by or contracting with companies outside Spain to live and work in Spain. Applicants must demonstrate a minimum monthly income of €2,520 (200% of the IPREM for 2024). The visa is initially granted for one year, and can be renewed as a residence permit for up to five years total.

Timeline
20 business days (visa decision) + 30–45 days (TIE card)
Cost
~€80 (visa fee) + ~€16.32 (TIE card fee, Tasa 790-062)
Who needs it
Non-EU remote workers employed by or contracting with companies based outside Spain who wish to live in Spain

Requirements

  • Valid passport with at least one year of validity
  • Proof of remote employment or freelance contract with a company outside Spain (relationship of at least 3 months or 1 year for freelancers)
  • Proof of minimum monthly income of €2,520 (200% IPREM 2024)

Non-Lucrative Visa

The Non-Lucrative Visa (Visado de residencia no lucrativa) allows non-EU nationals to reside in Spain without the right to work. Applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial means to support themselves without employment — generally at least €2,400 per month or approximately €28,800 per year from savings, pensions, investments, or other passive income. The visa is initially granted for one year and can be renewed for successive two-year periods.

Timeline
1–3 months (visa decision)
Cost
~€80 (visa fee)
Who needs it
Non-EU nationals who wish to reside in Spain without working, such as retirees and financially independent individuals

Requirements

  • Valid passport with at least one year of validity
  • Proof of sufficient financial means (minimum ~€2,400/month or ~€28,800/year)
  • Clean criminal record certificate (apostilled and translated)

Golden Visa (Investor Visa)

Spain's Golden Visa (Visado de inversor) is an investment-based residence permit that allows non-EU nationals and their families to live in Spain by making a qualifying investment. The most common route is purchasing real estate worth at least €500,000. Other qualifying investments include €1 million in Spanish company shares or bank deposits, or €2 million in Spanish government bonds. The visa is initially granted for two years and can be renewed for successive five-year periods, provided the investment is maintained.

Timeline
20 business days (visa decision) + 30–45 days (TIE card)
Cost
~€80 (visa fee) + ~€16.32 (TIE card fee, Tasa 790-062)
Who needs it
Non-EU nationals making a significant investment in Spain, most commonly real estate purchases of at least €500,000

Requirements

  • Valid passport with at least one year of validity
  • Proof of qualifying investment (e.g., property deed or purchase contract for real estate worth ≥€500,000)
  • Clean criminal record certificate (apostilled and translated)

Social Security Number

The Número de Seguridad Social is a unique number assigned by Spain's Social Security administration (Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social) to individuals who need to interact with the social security system. It is required for employment (employers must register employees), accessing the public healthcare system (through assignment to a primary care center), and receiving social benefits such as unemployment or retirement pensions. Both employees and self-employed workers (autónomos) need this number.

Timeline
1–2 weeks
Cost
Free
Who needs it
Anyone working in Spain (employed or self-employed) or accessing the public healthcare system

Requirements

  • Valid passport or national ID card
  • Valid NIE or TIE
  • Completed TA.1 form (Solicitud de afiliación/número de Seguridad Social)

Municipal Census Register (Padrón)

The Padrón Municipal de Habitantes is the official municipal census register maintained by each town hall (ayuntamiento) in Spain. It is the administrative record of all persons residing in a municipality, regardless of their nationality or legal status. The empadronamiento is the act of registering on the padrón. The padrón serves as the basis for allocating government resources to municipalities, and a certificate of empadronamiento (certificado de empadronamiento) is required for numerous administrative procedures.

Timeline
Same day (certificate issued immediately at the town hall)
Cost
Free
Who needs it
Everyone residing in a Spanish municipality, regardless of nationality, immigration status, or length of stay

Requirements

  • Valid passport or national ID card
  • Proof of address: rental contract, property deed, or authorization letter from the property owner
  • Completed municipal registration form (solicitud de alta en el padrón)
OUR TEAM

Meet Our Specialists

Dedicated professionals ready to help with your immigration needs

Tiscar Navarro

Tiscar Navarro

Immigration & Investment Lawyer

Carlos Ortega

Carlos Ortega

Immigration Lawyer

Cristian Soriano

Cristian Soriano

Immigration Lawyer

Antonio Cubel

Antonio Cubel

Relocation Specialist

Ready to Get Started?

Book a free consultation with our legal team and get expert guidance on your visa, residency, or any legal matter.

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