Move to Spain
NIE, TIE, padrón, EU registration, visas, and residency.
ExploreWhere should we begin?
Vacation in Spain
Short visits, entry rules, transport, places to stay, and practical trip planning in Spain.
Live in Spain
Healthcare, banking, taxes, digital access, and the key admin steps for everyday life in Spain.
Not legal advice. Always verify with official sources before filing.
European Health Insurance Card
What it is: The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) — or its successor the GHIC for UK citizens — gives you access to medically necessary public healthcare during temporary stays in other European countries, at the same cost as local residents.
What it is not: It is not a substitute for travel insurance and does not cover private treatment, repatriation, or non-emergency care.
Practical note: It is issued by your home country's health authority, not Spain. If you already live in Spain and are registered for Spanish public healthcare, your Spanish SIP/TSI card covers you here; your home-country EHIC covers temporary visits elsewhere in Europe.
Timing: Check the validity date — cards expire and need to be renewed.
Next 3 steps
- Confirm that your right to healthcare in Spain is active before requesting it.
- Request or renew the EHIC through the official Social Security route and check whether you need it only for yourself or also for your dependants.
- If you are travelling very soon and the card may not arrive in time, check whether you need a Provisional Replacement Certificate instead.
Official links
This app is a planning guide, not legal advice. Spanish immigration and administration rules, document lists, fees, and appointment labels can change. Always verify your procedure with official sources before filing.
Documents that often slow people down
Identity and civil records
- Valid passport or EU national ID.
- Birth, marriage, or partnership records where relevant.
- Legalization or Hague apostille for many foreign public documents.
- Sworn Spanish translations when documents are not accepted as-is.
Spain-side basics
- Address in Spain and, when requested, padrón certificate.
- Immigration appointment confirmation.
- Correct EX form for your procedure.
- Paid tasa receipt, often Modelo 790 with the matching code.
Money, health, purpose
- Proof of economic means for routes that require it.
- Health insurance or public coverage proof where required.
- School admission, remote-work evidence, family link, or permit approval.
- Criminal record certificate for some visas and residence routes.
Not every document applies to every route. The guide should help you narrow this down.
Official sources
Appointments and fees
Identity and residence
Digital access
Residence routes
This app is a planning guide, not legal advice. Spanish immigration and administration rules, document lists, fees, and appointment labels can change. Always verify your procedure with official sources before filing.
Last reviewed: July 2026