New in Spain? We’ll walk you through every procedure
Legalisation, residence, health, work and support — explained simply, step by step, always with a link to the official rule.
Legalization & residence
- Agreement between the Ministerio del Interior and ACNUR on the asylum procedure in Spain Agreement between Spain's Interior Ministry and UNHCR supporting the asylum procedure (interpretation, technical assistance). Institutional cooperation, not an individual service.
- Resolution 3-06-2026 SEM — instructions to authorize temporary residence of Sahrawi minors (Programme «Vacaciones en Paz 2026») The 3-06-2026 SEM Resolution publishes the Council of Ministers Agreement (2-06-2026) setting the procedure to authorize temporary residence of Sahrawi minors and monitors under the Vacaciones en Paz 2026 programme.
- Arraigo: types and requirements under the new Immigration Regulation (RD 1155/2024) Types of arraigo in Spain after RD 1155/2024: social, socio-labour, socio-training, family and second-chance. Common requirement: 2 years in Spain.
- How to apply for international protection (asylum) in Spain (Ley 12/2009) How to apply for asylum or subsidiary protection in Spain: where to apply (border, police, immigration office), the red card, protection from expulsion and healthcare. Law 12/2009.
- New asylum procedures in Spain under the EU Pact: timelines, rights and how applications are processed from 12 June 2026 From 12 June 2026 new asylum procedures apply in Spain (EU Regulations 2024/1348 and 2024/1351): border procedure timelines (4 days / 12 weeks), accelerated and ordinary procedures, free legal aid guaranteed.
- Appealing an asylum refusal: what changes under the EU Pact from 12 June 2026 (administrative review no longer interrupts the judicial deadline) From 12 June 2026, an administrative review in international protection does not interrupt the European judicial deadline. You have direct access to courts without exhausting the administrative route. Instruction BOE-A-2026-12856.
- International teleworker (digital nomad) residence permit / visa — requirements Requirements for Spain's international teleworker (digital nomad) visa and residence permit under Ley 14/2013: economic means of 200% of the SMI (≈€2,850/month holder, +75% for the first family member), health insurance, criminal record, online filing with the UGE-CE and a 3-year permit.
- Student stay in Spain (RD 1155/2024): requirements and student work Student stay authorisation in Spain (RD 1155/2024): admission to an official centre, financial means and health insurance. Allows working up to 30 h/week in higher studies.
- SEM Instructions 2/2026: moving from temporary protection (Ukraine) to an ordinary residence authorisation SEM Instruction 2/2026 opens the transition from Ukraine temporary protection to ordinary authorisations (residence & work, arraigo, long-term). Time under temporary protection counts. It is not automatic: you must apply.
- Spanish nationality by residence: terms (10/5/2/1 years), exams and procedure Spanish nationality by residence: 10 years general, 2 for Ibero-Americans, 1 if married to a Spaniard, 5 for refugees. CCSE and DELE A2 exams. Filed with the Ministry of Justice.
- Orden INT/96/2026 — automatic extension of TIE cards for Temporary Protection beneficiaries from the Ukraine conflict (until 4 March 2027) Order INT/96/2026 automatically extends Foreigner Identity Cards (TIE) issued to beneficiaries of Temporary Protection from the Ukraine conflict until 4 March 2027. No card renewal required.
- Temporary Protection for people displaced from Ukraine: how to apply How to apply for Temporary Protection in Spain as a person displaced from Ukraine: where to go (CREADE and National Police), what documents to bring and what it grants.
- Real Decreto 316/2026 — reform of the Immigration Regulation: two regularisation routes (deadline 30 June 2026) RD 316/2026 opens two regularisation routes until 30 June 2026 for people in Spain before 1 Jan 2026 (not for Temporary Protection holders). 1-year residence+work permit; administrative silence means rejection.
- Family reunification under RD 1155/2024: who can reunify and requirements Family reunification in Spain (RD 1155/2024): a resident may bring spouse/partner, children and parents over 65. Requires income (150% IPREM) and adequate housing.
- What to do after a denial or administrative silence in immigration matters (appeals, recursos) If your immigration application is denied or unanswered: silence is usually negative. You can file an appeal (recurso de reposición, 1 month) or go to court (2 months). Law 39/2015.
- Orden ISM/164/2026 — Electronic Registry of Immigration Collaborators (Colaboradores de Extranjería) Spain's Registry of Immigration Collaborators lets unions and NGOs file immigration procedures electronically on behalf of foreigners, often for free — an alternative to a private gestor.
- Corrigendum — Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2055 on asylum and migration management (Dublin system) Corrigendum to EU Implementing Regulation 2025/2055 on asylum and migration management: terminological corrections to Dublin transfer forms and readmission procedures. Published OJEU 11 June 2026.
- Renewal of residence permits: when to apply and positive administrative silence How to renew your residence permit in Spain: apply before expiry (a later window is also allowed). In renewals, administrative silence is usually positive. You can keep working while it is decided.
- Temporary residence of a family member of a Spanish citizen (RD 1155/2024, Ch. VII) Residence of a family member of a Spanish citizen (RD 1155/2024, Ch. VII, arts. 93-97): spouse, partner, children up to 26, dependent parents. Form EX-24. Not the same as reunification or EU-citizen family.
- Long-term residence (larga duración): 5 years of legal residence (RD 1155/2024, arts. 175-189) Long-term residence in Spain: after 5 years of continuous legal residence. Allows indefinite residence and work. Regulated by RD 1155/2024 (arts. 175-189).
- Non-lucrative temporary residence (without working) — RD 1155/2024 Non-lucrative temporary residence in Spain (RD 1155/2024): living without working by proving financial means (400% IPREM) and health insurance. Visa at the consulate, TIE within 1 month.
- Temporary residence and self-employment (autónomo) in Spain (RD 1155/2024) Initial residence-and-work permit as self-employed (autónomo) in Spain (RD 1155/2024, arts. 82-87): requirements, business project, investment, form EX-07, 3-month decision.
- Residence and work as an employee (cuenta ajena) and self-employed (cuenta propia) (RD 1155/2024) Initial work-and-residence permit in Spain (RD 1155/2024): employed (with a contract) or self-employed (viable project). Decision within 3 months.
- Residence card for a family member of an EU citizen (régimen comunitario, RD 240/2007) EU regime (RD 240/2007): family of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens get the EU family member residence card, on more favourable terms. Issued within 3 months.
Procedures
- Customs: how to clear a vehicle imported from outside the EU (DUA → H1) How to clear customs for a vehicle imported from a non-EU country in Spain: DUA submission, documents, payments (VAT 21% + ~10% duty) or traslado de residencia exemption. Output: H1 certificate.
- Change of residence to Spain from a non-EU country: how to prove it and what it's used for Change of residence (traslado de residencia) to Spain: legal concept, importance for customs and tax exemptions, supporting documents, standard route (consulate, visa) and TP/refugee route (TIE + padrón + de facto proof).
- Cita previa for immigration: how to get it (official and free) How to get a cita previa for immigration in Spain: official, free service on the electronic headquarters. Avoid paid intermediaries; many renewals are done online.
- How to get Cl@ve and the Electronic Certificate (FNMT) in Spain with TIE/NIE How to get Cl@ve (PIN, Permanente, Móvil) and the FNMT Electronic Certificate in Spain as a foreigner with TIE/NIE: registration paths (video ID, invitation letter, in-person), differences, what each unlocks.
- Empadronamiento: how to register on the municipal padrón as a foreigner What padrón registration is and how to register as a foreigner in Spain: an obligation for every resident, independent of status, possible without a rental contract.
- Instrucción SEM 1/2024 — legitimated subjects, personal appearance and representation in immigration applications Instrucción SEM 1/2024 sets out who may file Spanish immigration applications, when personal appearance is mandatory and when a representative (notarial, apud acta, standard form or accredited professional) may act.
- First-registration ITV: how to pass technical inspection for a vehicle imported from outside the EU How to pass the first-registration ITV for a vehicle imported from outside the EU: documents (H1, original registration, CoC), individual homologation if no CoC, ITV stations in Valencia, result Spanish reduced technical sheet.
- Registering in Spain a vehicle imported from outside the EU How to register in Spain a vehicle imported from a non-EU country: steps at Customs (DUA, H1), ITV inspection, registration tax (modelo 576), municipal tax (IVTM) and DGT (modelo 9050). Official forms and links.
- Registering a non-EU vehicle in Spain: final steps when you already have DUA and ITV You've cleared Customs (DUA, H1) and ITV (reduced technical sheet): what's left to finish your Spanish registration — IEDMT (form 06 or 576), municipal IVTM and DGT (form 9050).
- Registering a Ukrainian vehicle for Temporary Protection holders: traslado de residencia regime If you hold Ukrainian Temporary Protection and brought your car, you can apply for the traslado de residencia regime (exemption from VAT, import duties and registration tax) via Form 05 at AEAT. Conditions, documents and steps.
- Reference amounts of financial means to cross the external border (entry into Spain) Funds a foreigner must prove to enter Spain from outside Schengen: EUR 122.10 per person per day and a minimum of EUR 1,098.90 per person.
- Mercurio: how to submit an immigration application online How to submit immigration authorisations (initial and renewals) online via Mercurio: digital certificate or DNIe, AutoFirma, steps and the valid receipt (resguardo).
- Form 06 (IEDMT exemption for transfer of residence): how to fill it in, field by field How to fill in Form 06 for the registration-tax (IEDMT) exemption due to transfer of residence: code ET4, form fields, documents and how it is filed (in person or by a registered gestor, NOT online by the individual).
- NIE (Foreigner Identity Number): what it is and how to apply What the NIE is and how to apply: it is only an identification number (not residence or a work permit). Three routes, form EX-15 and fee 790-012.
- How to get the health card and access the SNS as a foreigner How to get a health card in Spain as a foreigner: through work (insured), without legal residence (RD 180/2026), or via the special agreement (€60/€157/month). Requires town registration.
- TIE (Foreigner Identity Card): how to obtain it after approval How to obtain the TIE, the physical card proving your residence: you must apply in person within one month (art. 209 RD 1155/2024). Appointment, fingerprints and collection, with EX-17 and fee 790-012.
Health
- Hearing aids for minors: SNS orthoprosthetic benefit (RD 1030/2006 anexo VI, RD 1506/2012) Spain's SNS funds hearing aids for minors with hearing loss under the orthoprosthetic benefit, with age cover progressively extended to 26. Managed by each region.
- Real Decreto-ley 11/2026 — pharmaceutical co-payment (copago, contribution by income bracket) How much you pay for SNS prescription drugs in 2026: 40-60% by income for active workers, 10% for pensioners with caps. Exempt groups (minimum income, unemployed without benefit).
- Voluntary termination of pregnancy (IVE): access in the SNS for everyone in Spain (Ley Orgánica 2/2010, reformed by Ley Orgánica 1/2023) Abortion (IVE) is free in the public health system up to 14 weeks on request, for everyone in Spain regardless of nationality or legal residence status.
- Real Decreto 902/2025 — Plan VEO (aid for glasses and contact lenses for minors under 16) Plan VEO: Spanish government direct grant of up to €100/year for glasses, prescription lenses or contact lenses for minors under 16 with public healthcare coverage. Valid until 31.12.2026.
- Real Decreto 180/2026 — access to public healthcare for foreign nationals without legal residence RD 180/2026 grants full public healthcare (SNS) access to foreign nationals without legal residence, asylum seekers and protected groups, by proving habitual residence. Provisional document issued immediately.
- Orden SND/606/2024 — expansion of the common dental care package (children's dental care 0-14 years) Spain's public health system expands free dental care for children aged 0-14: check-ups, fluoride, sealants, fillings for caries or trauma. Managed by each region.
Employment
- Theoretical-practical exams for the recognition of healthcare qualifications obtained outside the EU Theoretical-practical exams to recognise (homologate) non-EU healthcare specialist qualifications in Spain. A prior assessment report is required; up to 2 attempts.
- SARA programme (CONVIVE Fundación CEPAIM) — free employability training for migrant women SARA programme by CONVIVE Fundación CEPAIM: free employability training for migrant women and women in vulnerable situations, aged 16+, resident in Spain. 2026 centres: El Ejido, Molina de Segura, Olot, Zaragoza.
- Real Decreto 325/2026: minimum training requirements for the recognition of EU healthcare qualifications (nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine) Spain updates the minimum training requirements for automatic recognition of EU qualifications in nursing, dentistry, pharmacy and veterinary medicine (RD 325/2026).
- Regulation (EU) 2026/1047 establishing an EU Talent Pool The EU creates the Talent Pool: a platform matching workers from outside the EU with shortage-occupation jobs. Each member state joins voluntarily.
Education
- University scholarships for students with international protection, statelessness or temporary protection (Ukraine conflict) — 2026/2027 call University scholarship call for students with international protection, statelessness or temporary protection (Ukraine conflict), academic year 2026/2027. BDNS 911958. Status: closed.
- Recognition of foreign university degrees in Spain — homologación and equivalencia How to get your foreign university degree recognised in Spain under Royal Decree 889/2022: documents, €166.50 fee, electronic application and timelines.
- Plan Refugio Internacional (Universitat de València) — grants for refugee students or those under international protection The University of Valencia runs an annual International Refuge Plan: grants for refugee students or those under international protection. The 2026 call is currently closed.
Info
- Spain-Ukraine agreement on technical and financial cooperation (March 2026) Spain and Ukraine signed a framework agreement on technical and financial cooperation in March 2026 for projects in Ukraine (reconstruction, EU integration). What it covers and what it does not mean for individuals.
- Want to return to your country? The voluntary return programme and where to go Orientation guide on the voluntary return programme in Spain: funded by the State with the EU AMIF fund and run by collaborating entities from the Ministry's «Directory of collaborating entities». You do not apply directly to the State: you access it through an entity or the official Ministry of Inclusion page. Here, where to go.
Glossary
- Immigration glossary: NIE, TIE, NIF, empadronamiento, arraigo, regimes Glossary of Spanish immigration terms: what NIE, TIE, NIF, padrón registration, arraigo, IPREM, long-term residence and the general/EU regimes mean.
General information, not individual legal advice. Check the official source and consult a professional for your case.