Settling in Spain: NIE, TIE, Padrón & Post-Arrival Checklist

Your First 30 Days in Spain: What Must You Do?

Congratulations — your visa has been approved and you've arrived in Spain. But the paperwork isn't over yet. The first month is critical: several administrative steps have strict legal deadlines, and missing them can cause serious complications for your residency status. Agrin UK's post-arrival support service ensures you complete everything correctly and on time.

Step 1: NIE Number (Foreigner Identification Number)

The NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) is your Spanish tax identification number. It is required for virtually every financial and administrative transaction in Spain — signing a lease, opening a bank account, buying a car, paying taxes, and registering for healthcare.

Some visa holders receive a provisional NIE number during the visa process. If not, you must apply at the local Policía Nacional (National Police) or at a Comisaría de Extranjería shortly after arrival. Agrin UK guides you through the NIE appointment booking and document preparation.

We have a dedicated NIE Number complete guide covering both application routes (UK consulate and in Spain), all required documents, current wait times, and the most common mistakes.

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Step 2: TIE Residency Card (within 30 days)

The TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) is your official Spanish residency card. It proves your right to live in Spain and is required for many administrative and employment-related tasks. The TIE replaces the old green Certificado de Registro that EU nationals used pre-Brexit.

To apply for your TIE, you will need:

• Your passport and a copy
• Your long-stay visa
• Your NIE number
• Two recent passport photographs
• Proof of payment of the TIE fee (Tasa 790, ~€16)
• Proof of accommodation in Spain
• Supporting income/financial documents (same as your visa application)

The TIE is issued by the Oficina de Extranjería and typically takes 1–4 weeks to process after your appointment.

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Step 3: Padrón Municipal (Town Hall Registration)

The Padrón municipal is Spain's municipal residents register. All residents — including foreign nationals — must register at their local Ayuntamiento (town hall) with their current address. Registration is free and can usually be done in a single visit with your passport and proof of address (rental contract or property deed).

Your Padrón certificate is needed for: healthcare registration, school enrolment for children, some bank account openings, and TIE renewal applications.

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Step 4: Opening a Spanish Bank Account

You'll need a Spanish bank account to pay rent, utilities, taxes, and Social Security contributions. Major banks accessible to new UK residents include BBVA, Santander, CaixaBank, and Sabadell. Some banks offer digital account opening before you arrive in Spain.

You'll typically need: passport, NIE, Padrón certificate, and proof of address. Agrin UK provides guidance on which accounts are most accessible for newly-arrived UK nationals.

See our dedicated guide to opening a bank account in Spain as a UK national — including a comparison of Santander, BBVA, CaixaBank and expat-friendly digital options.

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Step 5: Healthcare Registration (SIP Card)

Once you have your TIE and Padrón, you can register with a local health centre (Centro de Salud) to access Spain's public healthcare system. You will receive a SIP card (Sistema de Información Poblacional) — your Spanish health card. Present this at any public health centre or hospital for treatment.

Note: During the period between arrival and public healthcare registration, your private health insurance (required for your visa) continues to cover you.

Read our full Spain healthcare guide for UK nationals — covering the S1 route for pensioners, private health insurance options, and the convenio especial.

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Step 6: Beckham Law Application (within 6 months)

If you arrived on a Digital Nomad Visa or Startup Visa, you may be eligible for the Beckham Law — a flat 24% income tax rate for up to six years. The application must be filed with the AEAT (Spanish Tax Agency) within six months of registering with Spanish Social Security. This is a strict, non-extendable deadline.

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Post-Arrival Checklist

See our full Spain driving licence exchange guide — you have just 6 months from getting your TIE to complete the exchange at the DGT.

If you are relocating with pets, note that the process changed significantly after Brexit. Read our full guide to bringing pets from the UK to Spain — including Animal Health Certificate requirements, approved entry points, and microchipping rules.