What is the EU Citizen Registration Certificate?

Every EU, EEA or Swiss citizen who plans to reside in Spain for more than 90 days. This includes employees, self-employed workers, students, retirees and people with their own financial means.

British citizens who arrived in Spain after 1 January 2021 can no longer obtain this certificate. Being post-Brexit, they are treated as non-EU nationals and need to apply for a visa and the TIE.

The official fee is approximately €12 (form 790, code 012, rate for EU citizen family members and registration certificates). It is paid before the appointment at any partner bank.

It is one of the lowest fees in immigration matters. There are no additional charges from the administration.

Retirees and self-sufficient people must prove two things:

1. Private health insurance contracted with an insurer authorised in Spain, with no co-payments, no waiting periods and coverage equivalent to the public system. Minimum coverage of €30,000.
2. Sufficient financial means to not be a burden on the Spanish social assistance system. The law does not set an exact minimum for EU citizens (unlike the 400% IPREM required for non-EU nationals), but in practice you need to demonstrate income or assets: pension, income, savings, property, etc.

The initial certificate is valid for 5 years. After 5 years of continuous and legal residence in Spain, you can apply for the EU Citizen Permanent Residence Certificate, which is valid for 10 years and renewable.

Your right to reside in Spain as an EU citizen does not expire as long as you meet the conditions. The certificate is a registration, not a permit: your right comes from the EU Treaty.

It depends on when they arrived in Spain:

• Before 1 January 2021: British citizens who were already legally resident are protected by the Withdrawal Agreement (Article 50 TEU). They were issued a special "Article 50 TEU" TIE that preserves their rights as if they were EU citizens (work, reside, healthcare). That TIE is renewed, but the underlying rights are permanent.
• After 1 January 2021: they are treated as non-EU nationals (third-country citizens). They must apply for a visa and the TIE like any other non-EU foreigner, through the general immigration system.