Move to Spain
NIE, TIE, padrón, EU registration, visas, and residency.
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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.
Public health card
What it is: The public health card gives you access to Spain's public healthcare system. It is called SIP in Valencia, TSI in Catalonia, and has different names in each autonomous community, but the function is the same.
When you may need it: You typically need to be registered on the padrón and have a Social Security affiliation or qualifying residence status. EU citizens registered as residents and their family members are generally entitled to it; non-EU residents with a work or residence authorization usually qualify once they have padrón and Social Security registration.
What you use it for: Present it at your assigned health centre (centro de salud) for GP appointments, referrals, prescriptions, and emergency care.
Next 3 steps
- Check whether your right to public healthcare is already recognized automatically or whether you need to request healthcare registration in Spain.
- Card names you may see by region: Valencian Community (SIP card), Madrid (Tarjeta Sanitaria Individual), Andalusia (Tarjeta sanitaria), Catalonia (TSI), and Murcia (Tarjeta Sanitaria Individual).
- Bring identity documents, NIE/TIE if you have it, padrón or address proof, and any Social Security or healthcare-entitlement documents requested.
Official links
Social Security
Request healthcare entitlement in Spain
Official healthcare entitlement route
Regional health authority
Valencian Community: SIP card
Official regional health-card information
Regional health authority
Madrid: Tarjeta Sanitaria Individual
Official regional health-card information
Regional health authority
Andalusia: Tarjeta sanitaria
Official regional health-card information
Regional health authority
Catalonia: TSI
Official regional health-card information
Regional health authority
Murcia: Tarjeta Sanitaria Individual
Official regional health-card information
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