Visa options and residency permits in Spain: What you need to know

If you’re a Dutch or Belgian citizen planning to move to Spain, understanding the administrative steps to register your stay is essential. While freedom of movement within the EU allows you to live in Spain without a visa, you still need to fulfill specific legal requirements once you’re there — especially if your stay exceeds 90 days.

This guide breaks down the different situations and what action you need to take, step by step.

Registering as an EU Citizen in Spain (Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión)

As an EU citizen, you don’t need a visa to live in Spain, but you must register if you plan to stay for more than 3 months. This registration gives you official resident status and allows you to access public services.

Step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Obtain a NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero)

This is your unique tax identification number in Spain. You’ll need it to:

• Sign rental or purchase contracts

• Open a bank account

• Register for utilities

• Pay taxes

How to apply:

• In Spain: Go to a Policía Nacional station or Oficina de Extranjería. You must make an appointment online (https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es).

• From the Netherlands or Belgium: Visit the Spanish consulate in The Hague or Brussels. Appointments are usually needed.

• Or see the following blogpost: How to apply for your NIE number in Spain as a Dutch or Belgian citizen

Documents required:

• Completed form EX-15

• Copy and original of your passport or ID

• Reason for NIE request (e.g. pre-signed rental contract, job offer)

• Proof of payment of the government fee (Modelo 790, código 012)

Step 2: Register with the town hall (Empadronamiento)

You must register at your local municipality (ayuntamiento). This confirms where you live and is needed for:

• Healthcare access

• School registration for children

• Applying for residency

How to register:

• Make an appointment at your local town hall

• Provide proof of your address (e.g. rental contract or utility bill)

• Bring your NIE (if already issued), passport/ID

You’ll receive a “certificado de empadronamiento”, usually valid for 3 months when used for administrative procedures.

Step 3: Apply for your EU Certificate of Residency

Also known as the Certificado de Registro como Ciudadano de la Unión Europea, this document officially registers you as a resident.

Where: At the local immigration office (Oficina de Extranjería)
How to book: Through the official website (https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es) — choose “Certificados UE” when selecting the procedure.

Documents required:

• Form EX-18 (application form)

• Valid passport or ID + copies

• Proof of financial means:

  • If employed: Work contract and recent payslips

  • If self-employed: Registration with social security and tax agency

  • If retired or not working: Proof of sufficient funds (bank statements) and private health insurance

• Proof of health insurance (public if you work; private if you’re not working)

• Empadronamiento certificate (usually less than 3 months old)

• Payment of the corresponding fee (Modelo 790, code 012)

Outcome: You’ll receive a green credit-card-sized certificate (not a card), showing your name, NIE, and the date of registration. This document doesn’t have an expiry date but must be updated if your situation changes significantly.

What If you have a Dutch residence permit but are not an EU citizen?

If you’re a non-EU citizen living in the Netherlands or Belgium on a national residence permit (e.g. a Moroccan or Turkish passport holder), that permit does not automatically allow you to live in Spain. You will need to apply for a Spanish residence permit based on your new intended activity in Spain.

Common visa options for non-EU citizens include:

Non-lucrative visa (Visado de residencia no lucrativa)

For people who don’t intend to work in Spain but have enough savings or passive income.

Requirements:

• Proof of income (~€2,400/month for individuals in 2025, more for families)

• Private health insurance (Spanish provider, no co-payments)

• Criminal background check from home country

• Medical certificate (in Spanish)

• Valid passport

• Proof of accommodation in Spain

Application process:

• Must apply from your country of residence (e.g. via Spanish consulate in The Hague or Brussels)

• Submit all required documents translated into Spanish by a sworn translator

• Wait for approval (typically 4–8 weeks)

Self-employment visa (Visado de trabajo por cuenta propia)

For freelancers or entrepreneurs wanting to start a business in Spain.

Extra requirements:

• Detailed business plan

• Financial investment proof

• Proof of clients (if freelance)

• Registration with Spanish social security and tax office

Work visa (Visado de trabajo por cuenta ajena)

For those with a Spanish job offer. Your employer must initiate the process by proving the job couldn’t be filled by a local.

Permanent Residency in Spain (Residencia de larga duración)

After 5 consecutive years of legal and registered residence in Spain, you may be eligible for permanent residency, which grants:

• The right to stay in Spain indefinitely

• Fewer renewal obligations

• The ability to work freely

Conditions:

• You must not have left Spain for more than 10 consecutive months during those 5 years

• Must show proof of continued residence (empadronamiento history)

• Continued financial means and health insurance

The application is submitted at your local immigration office using form EX-11, along with updated documentation and proof of your 5-year residence.

Need help with the visa or residency process?

Spanish bureaucracy can be complex — and every region may have slightly different rules or practices. If you need help navigating the paperwork, making appointments, or understanding your eligibility, click the Find Help button below to find emigration experts. We’ll connect you with trusted migration experts who speak your language and know how to get things done in Spain.