Papers
Every document you need for life in Spain, what it is, where to get it, and what to bring.
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Proof of Funds / Justificación de fondos
Proof of Funds / Justificación de fondos
Buyers, investors, and applicants who need to demonstrate available funds or financing capacity, commonly for property purchases, investment onboarding, bank account openings, or a reservation or offer step that the counterpart conditions on liquidity evidence. The exact format the counterpart accepts varies; confirm in advance.
NIF provisional de la sociedad, provisional company NIF
NIF provisional de la sociedad
A newly incorporated Sociedad Limitada needs the provisional NIF from Hacienda before invoicing or registering with the Registro Mercantil.
IVA + AJD, VAT and Stamp Duty (obra nueva / new-build)
IVA + AJD — para obra nueva
Buyers of a new-build property (primera entrega) directly from the developer. New-build sales are taxed via IVA on the purchase plus AJD (Actos Jurídicos Documentados) on the deed, not via ITP.
Escritura pública de compraventa - public sale deed
Escritura pública de compraventa
Buyer and seller of a property in Spain; the Escritura pública is the notarial act that transfers ownership.
Origen de fondos / AML file
Origen de fondos / AML / KYC
Buyers, investors, founders, and applicants who must document where money comes from for a Spanish bank, notary, abogado, gestor, developer, real estate counterpart, or investment onboarding, commonly for property purchases, large transfers, company setup, or regulated KYC/AML checks. Each institution sets its own checklist; nothing is automatically accepted across counterparts.
IRNR, Modelo 210 (Non-Resident Income Tax)
IRNR — Modelo 210
Non-residents with Spanish-source income, most commonly non-resident property owners (rental income or imputed income on a property held for personal use), and certain other situations involving Spanish-source income. Exact obligations depend on residency status, income type, rental use, and any applicable tax treaty; verify with an asesor fiscal or gestor.
Health card
Tarjeta Sanitaria / SIP Valencia
Anyone registered in the regional public health system. In Valencia, it is called SIP.
NIF definitivo de la sociedad, definitive company NIF
NIF definitivo de la sociedad
A Sociedad Limitada that has completed the Registro Mercantil inscription; Hacienda then issues the definitive NIF in place of the provisional one.
Bank account for share capital
Cuenta bancaria para el capital social
Founders of an SL must deposit capital into a temporary account before the notary.
NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero)
NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) — inversor
Any foreigner investing in Spain. The NIE itself is one identity number per person; the "investor" label refers to the stated reason on the application, not a separate number.
ITP - Impuesto sobre Transmisiones Patrimoniales (resale property transfer tax)
ITP — Impuesto de Transmisiones Patrimoniales
Buyers of a second-hand (resale) property in Spain. ITP does not apply to new-build sales from a developer; those are taxed via IVA + AJD instead.
NIF / NIE fiscal
NIF / NIE fiscal
A foreigner with Spanish tax obligations. For individuals, the NIE itself serves as the fiscal identification (NIF); for companies, the NIF is a different number with its own procedure.
Toma de huellas - biometric appointment for TIE
Toma de huellas
Non-EU foreigners with an approved residence permit, awaiting the TIE card.
Alta en el RETA - registration in the special social security regime for the self-employed
Alta en el RETA (Régimen Especial de Trabajadores Autónomos)
Every autónomo (self-employed worker) in Spain must register in the RETA and pay monthly Seguridad Social contributions.
Registration with Hacienda, autónomo
Alta en Hacienda — Modelo 036/037 (autónomo)
Anyone wishing to work as autónomo (self-employed) must register with Hacienda.
Business bank account for the company
Cuenta bancaria operativa de la empresa
A company must have a business bank account for all transactions.
Contract with gestor
Contrato con gestoría
Recommended for all companies, especially for foreigners unfamiliar with the system.
Recogida de la TIE - TIE card collection
Recogida de la TIE
Foreigners who have completed the toma de huellas and received the SMS/email invitation.
Digital certificate
Certificado Digital (FNMT)
Anyone who wants to submit documents online to public administration without going in person.
Modelo 130/131, quarterly income tax advance (IRPF)
Modelo 130/131 — pago fraccionado IRPF
Self-employed individuals estimating income must pay IRPF quarterly in advance.
Modelo 303, quarterly IVA declaration
Modelo 303 — declaración trimestral de IVA
All autónomos and companies that are IVA taxpayers must submit Modelo 303 quarterly.
Residence and work permit
Autorización de residencia y trabajo
Non-EU citizens wishing to work in Spain must obtain a residence and work permit.
Company bylaws
Estatutos sociales
All founders of an SL must have bylaws that define management and rules.
Corresponding visa
Visado correspondiente
Non-EU citizens coming to Spain for longer than 90 days with the intention of residing or working.
Municipal address registration
Empadronamiento / Alta en el Padrón Municipal
Anyone living in Spain; registration is required at the municipality where you reside.
Nota Simple
Nota simple registral
Anyone buying property in Spain; used to check ownership, mortgages, charges, and disputes before signing arras.
Modelo 036 - alta censal de la empresa (Hacienda registration)
Modelo 036 — alta censal de la empresa
New Spanish companies must register with the Agencia Tributaria for tax census purposes (alta censal) - defines activity, IVA, and corporate tax treatment at a high level.
NIE, SL company founder variant
NIE — fundador de SL
A non-Spanish founder, shareholder, or director of a Sociedad Limitada. NIE itself is one identity number per person; the 'company founder' label refers to the stated reason on the application, not a separate number.
Inscripción en el Registro de la Propiedad - Land Registry inscription
Inscripción en el Registro de la Propiedad
The new owner of a property in Spain; inscribing the escritura at the Registro de la Propiedad protects the title against third-party claims.
Payment of share capital
Aportación de capital social
Founders must pay the minimum capital (3,000€ or 1€ for SLU).
Spanish bank account (cuenta bancaria)
Cuenta bancaria española
Foreigners settling, buying property, investing, working, becoming autónomo, opening a company, or simply living in Spain.
Registration in the Commercial Registry
Inscripción en el Registro Mercantil
The company must be registered in the Registro Mercantil to exist legally.
Investment contract
Contrato de inversión
An investor entering a project, company, or structure needs a contract.
Tax representative for non-resident investor
Representante fiscal — inversor no residente
A non-resident investing in Spain usually requires a tax representative.
NIE - property buyer variant
NIE para comprador de inmueble
A foreigner buying property in Spain. NIE itself is one identity number per person; the 'buyer' label refers to the stated reason on the application, not a separate number.
Shareholders' agreement / partners' agreement
Pacto de socios
Any company with multiple founders or investors requires an internal agreement.
Annual tax return - IRPF
Declaración de la Renta (IRPF)
Resident of Spain with income. Mandatory from a certain income threshold.
Escritura de constitución, notarial deed of company incorporation
Escritura de constitución de la sociedad
Founders establishing a Spanish company (typically an SL) must sign the public deed of incorporation before the company legally exists.
Certificación negativa del nombre de la sociedad, company name clearance
Certificación negativa del nombre de la sociedad
Anyone forming a Spanish company (commonly an SL) who must prove the proposed corporate name is available before the notarial constitution (escritura de constitución).
Passport / valid identification document
Pasaporte / Documento de identidad válido
Any foreigner for any administrative procedure.
KYC / AML, investor documentation file
KYC / AML — documentación inversor
Any investor going through Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) checks in Spain, typically required by banks, notaries, lawyers, developers, real estate counterparts, and investment platforms when onboarding or signing significant transactions. The exact document list varies by institution and transaction; verify with the specific counterpart and your gestor or abogado before submitting.
Contrato de arras penitenciales - earnest-money pre-contract
Contrato de arras penitenciales
Buyer and seller who have agreed on a property purchase and want to lock in the transaction before the final Escritura pública.
Digital certificate of the company's representative
Certificado digital de representante de la empresa
The company must have a digital certificate for electronic procedures with the administration.
Certificate of No Criminal Record for No Lucrativa
Certificado de antecedentes penales — no lucrativa
Applicants for No Lucrativa must include a certificate of no criminal record from every country where they have lived in the last 5 years.
Proof of income for digital nomads
Justificación de ingresos — nómada digital
Digital nomads must prove a monthly income above the threshold (2,160€/month).
Resolución favorable, favorable residence decision
Resolución favorable / Autorización de residencia
Non-EU foreigners who applied for a residence permit and received approval; it is a prerequisite for the TIE.
Foreigner Identity Card (TIE)
TIE — Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero
Non-EU foreigners who have been granted a residence permit. The TIE is the physical card proving the right to reside.
Residence permit for digital nomads
Autorización de teletrabajo de carácter internacional
After entering with a visa, it is extended for 3 years as a residence permit.
Visado de teletrabajo internacional - digital nomad / international telework visa
Visado de teletrabajo internacional
Non-EU nationals who plan to live in Spain while working remotely for foreign employers or clients under the international telework / digital nomad route (Ley 28/2022 and implementing rules) - eligibility depends on nationality, income, employment structure, and current consulate criteria.
EU citizen registration certificate
Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión
EU/EEA/Swiss citizens living in Spain for more than 3 months.
Proof of remote work
Justificación de trabajo a distancia
Digital nomads must prove they work for companies or clients outside Spain.
Apostille (Hague Apostille)
Apostilla de La Haya
Almost every non-EU foreigner submitting foreign certificates (birth, marriage, criminal record, diploma) to Spanish authorities.
Private Health Insurance Without a Co-Payment
Seguro médico privado sin copago
No Lucrativa permit requires insurance without a co-payment (sin copago) for the full year.
Social Security number (NUSS)
Número de la Seguridad Social (NUSS)
Anyone starting work, registering as autónomo, or accessing the public health system.
Plusvalía municipal (IIVTNU), municipal capital-gains tax on land
Plusvalía municipal — IIVTNU
Usually the seller of a property (in most cases), but sometimes the buyer (by contract). Also applies to inheritances and gifts.
Criminal record certificate (apostille)
Certificado de antecedentes penales (apostillado)
All non-EU applicants for a Spanish residence permit must provide a criminal record certificate.
Car Insurance
Seguro de automóvil
Mandatory for all registered cars in Spain. The minimum is third-party coverage (obligatorio).
Foreigner Identity Number (NIE)
NIE — Número de Identidad de Extranjero
Every non-EU foreigner who needs to perform any administrative, financial, or legal activity in Spain.
Informe social - social work assessment report
Informe Social
People whose case requires a broader social assessment than a short certificate, often requested by Servicios Sociales, courts, Extranjería, or social programs when family, housing, income, and administrative context must be documented together.
Vulnerability situation certificate / report
Certificado / Informe de Situación de Vulnerabilidad
A person or family in a difficult social, economic, family, housing, health, or administrative situation.
Private Health Insurance
Seguro médico privado
Non-EU arrivals (digital nomads, No Lucrativa) must have private health insurance for the entire duration of stay.
Proof of Passive Income
Justificación de ingresos pasivos
Candidates for No Lucrativa must prove steady passive income.
Employment Contract
Contrato de trabajo
Employees must have an employment contract that complies with Spanish labor law.
Appointment with social services
Cita previa en Servicios Sociales
For all contacts with Servicios Sociales (proof of vulnerability, informe social, ayudas), an appointment is needed.
Residencia no lucrativa - non-lucrative residence authorization
Autorización de residencia no lucrativa
Non-EU nationals who wish to reside in Spain without carrying out work or professional activity in Spain, typically based on sufficient passive or financial means, subject to current consulate and Extranjería rules. This route does not by itself authorize employment in Spain unless the law and permit type allow it.
Traducción jurada, sworn translation
Traducción jurada
Anyone submitting a foreign document to Spanish administration, court, notary, or bank that requires a sworn translation.
Social security registration as an employee
Alta en la Seguridad Social como empleado
Every employee must be registered with Seguridad Social from the first day of work.
Address registration certificate
Certificado de Empadronamiento
Anyone who needs proof of registered address for residence, school, health, social services, banks, or courts.
Tasa Modelo 790 (012 / 013 / 052)
Tasa Modelo 790 (012 / 013 / 052)
Anyone applying for TIE, NIE, a residence permit, or certain certificates. The relevant Modelo 790 fee must be paid before or on the day of the appointment.
Investor compliance file
Expediente de compliance — inversor
An investor working with funds, banks, or regulated companies.
Utilities: electricity, water, gas
Suministros: luz, agua, gas
Buyer who needs to take over or activate utilities after purchase.
EU family member card
Tarjeta de familiar de ciudadano de la Unión
Non-EU foreigner who is the spouse, child, or dependent parent of an EU citizen living in Spain.
Social assistance and subsidies
Ayudas sociales (prestaciones, bonos, subvenciones)
People in difficult situations can request various forms of aid such as RMI, bono social, ayudas comedor, etc.
Verification of tax status, non lucrative
Verificación de residencia fiscal — no lucrativa
A person with non lucrative status becomes a tax resident of Spain after 183 days and needs to understand their obligations.
Registration of changes in the Commercial Register
Inscripción de cambios en el Registro Mercantil
A company that has undergone changes (capital, management, statute) must register them.
Alta censal / NIF - tax-census registration (orientation only)
Alta censal / NIF / Modelo 030 / 036 / 037
Anyone needing tax identification in Spain; a company, an autónomo, or a foreigner with Spanish tax obligations. For individuals, the NIE itself usually serves as the NIF; for companies, the NIF is a separate number with its own procedure.
Health card for children
Tarjeta sanitaria para menores
Children living in Spain who are entitled to public healthcare.
Historical certificate of address registration
Certificado de empadronamiento histórico
Proof of continuous residence at a certain address over time (for arraigo, court proceedings, etc.).
Escolarización de menores - school enrolment for minors
Escolarización de menores
Parents or legal guardians enrolling a child of compulsory school age after moving to Spain, changing municipality, or switching between public (público), concertado, or private (privado) paths.
Birth certificate (apostille + sworn translation)
Certificado de nacimiento con apostilla y traducción jurada
Anyone needing to prove origin, identity, or family relationship in Spanish procedures.
Tourist accommodation registration
Registro de Vivienda Turística
Property owner who wants to rent to tourists (Airbnb, etc.).
Renewal of residence permit
Renovación de residencia
A non-EU foreigner whose residence permit is expiring.
Rental agreement
Contrato de Arrendamiento
Owner renting out the property long-term.
Electronic identification system
Sistema Cl@ve
Anyone who wants to log in to public administration websites without a digital certificate.
Reagrupación familiar - family reunification documentation
Reagrupación familiar
Non-EU residents in Spain who seek to bring eligible family members (typically spouse, minor children, and in limited cases other relatives) under the reagrupación familiar route; subject to current Extranjería income, housing, and relationship rules.
Vehicle registration in Spain
Matriculación de vehículo en España
A resident bringing a vehicle from another country must register it in Spain.
Registration of activity (IAE)
Alta en el IAE (Impuesto sobre Actividades Económicas)
The company must be registered in the appropriate IAE epigraph according to its activity.
Antecedentes penales españoles, Spanish criminal-record certificate
Certificado de antecedentes penales — España
Foreigners renewing or modifying their residence permit, applying for nationality, or for certain professions and licenses.
Property reservation contract
Contrato de reserva
A buyer who wants to reserve a property while arranging other paperwork.
Exchange of foreign driving license
Canje de permiso de conducir extranjero
Foreign drivers becoming residents of Spain need to exchange their driving license.
Technical Vehicle Inspection (ITV)
ITV — Inspección Técnica de Vehículos
All vehicles must undergo regular ITV inspections. It is mandatory for registration.
Tax representative for non-residents
Representante fiscal para no residentes
Non-resident who owns property in Spain must have a tax representative (gestor or lawyer) who represents them before Hacienda.
Loan agreement
Contrato de préstamo / Loan agreement
An investor providing a loan to a company or receiving a loan instead of equity.
IAE Activity Code
Epígrafe IAE (actividad económica)
Every autónomo and company must have the appropriate IAE epigraph for their activity.
Certificate of cohabitation
Certificado de convivencia
A certificate showing who lives in the same household for social aids, family reunification, and tax benefits.
Billing autónomo
Facturación autónomo
Every autónomo must properly invoice according to Spanish rules.
Analysis of Tax Residency
Análisis de residencia fiscal
Anyone coming to live in Spain needs to understand the implications of tax residency.
Pay slips
Nóminas
Employees receive a pay slip every month. It is an important document for credit, housing, and administration.
Modelo 390, annual VAT declaration
Modelo 390 — declaración anual de IVA
All VAT taxpayers submit Modelo 390 annually (summary of annual VAT transactions).
Declaration of the ultimate beneficial owner
Declaración de titular real (empresa)
Every company must report the ultimate beneficial owners to the Registro Mercantil.
GDPR compliance of the company
Cumplimiento RGPD (Reglamento General de Protección de Datos)
Every company processing personal data must comply with GDPR.
Medical certificate for residence
Certificado médico (para residencia)
Some types of residence permits (no lucrativa, family reunification) require a medical certificate.
Work booklet / Report on work history
Informe de Vida Laboral
Anyone who wants to see their work history in Spain or prove their service.
Cadastral number / checking the cadastre
Referencia catastral / Consulta en el Catastro
Buyer who needs to check the area, purpose, and value of the property for taxes.
Marriage certificate (apostille + sworn translation)
Certificado de matrimonio con apostilla y traducción jurada
Married couples needing to prove the marriage to Spanish institutions.
Deposit of rental bond
Depósito de Fianza (IVAJ / organismo autonómico)
The landlord must deposit the bond with the autonomous community.
Declaration of beneficial ownership
Declaración de titular real (beneficial owner)
Every company must report who the real owners are (beneficial owners).
Traffic Permit (Spanish)
Permiso de circulación
After registering a vehicle in Spain, the DGT issues a Spanish traffic permit.
Bank reference letters
Carta de referencia bancaria
An investor whose partners or Spanish bank request confirmation from the parent bank.
Digital certificate for investor
Certificado Digital — inversor
An investor who wants online access to Hacienda, registers, and administration.
Certificado de la comunidad de propietarios - debt-free certificate from the building community
Certificado de la comunidad de propietarios
Buyers of a flat or unit in a building with a comunidad de propietarios. The certificate confirms that the seller has no outstanding debts to the comunidad.
Registration of the entire family in the municipality
Empadronamiento familiar
The entire family living at the same address in Spain.
Certificate of tax residency
Certificado de residencia fiscal
An investor who needs to prove in which country they are a tax resident (Serbia, Spain, etc.).
Modelo 600, tax on transfer/documents
Modelo 600 — ITP/AJD
Paid for certain transactions, the incorporation of a company, an increase of capital, and certain contracts.
Certificado energético
Certificado energético
Sellers are required by law to provide it for any sale or rental. Buyers should verify it before signing arras.
Recibo del IBI
Recibo del IBI (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles)
Buyers checking that the seller has no outstanding IBI debt and owners as evidence of payment.
Informe de arraigo social - social integration report for residence
Informe de arraigo social
Non-EU applicants pursuing the arraigo social residence route who need a municipal report on social integration, subject to current Extranjería rules on residence length, integration evidence, and other requirements.
Notarial deed of the company
Escritura notarial de la sociedad
An investor entering a company through a notarial deed (change of statutes, capital, management).
Notarial power of attorney
Poder notarial
A buyer who cannot be present in Spain and authorizes another person (lawyer/gestor) to sign on their behalf.
Home insurance
Seguro de hogar
Every property owner. Banks usually require it when mortgaging.
Cédula de habitabilidad / Licencia de ocupación
Cédula de habitabilidad / Licencia de ocupación
Buyers of residential property in autonomous communities that require it (e.g., Valencia). It certifies that the property is legally fit for residential use.
Family book or equivalent
Libro de familia o equivalente
Families who want a formal Spanish document recording their family structure.
Consular registration
Inscripción consular
Foreigner living in Spain who wants to register at their country's embassy or consulate.
Modelo 349, intra-community operations
Modelo 349 — operaciones intracomunitarias
Companies and self-employed individuals billing or receiving invoices from EU clients must submit Modelo 349.
Homologation of foreign license / diploma
Homologación de título / licencia extranjera
If direct exchange is not possible, a driving license can be homologated.
School meal assistance
Ayudas de comedor escolar
Families in difficult situations can receive a subsidy for their children's school meals.
Residential Card for Blue Zone Parking
Tarjeta de residente para zona azul
Residents who park in residential areas can obtain a resident rate.
Public Transport Card
Tarjeta de transporte público
Anyone who uses public transport can obtain a personal card.
Integration report
Informe de integración social
A supplementary document with arraigo that proves integration (language courses, volunteering, work).
Vehicle Tax (IVTM)
IVTM — Impuesto sobre Vehículos de Tracción Mecánica
Every owner of a vehicle registered in Spain pays an annual tax to the municipality.
Monthly Public Transport Subscription
Abono de transporte (bonificación)
Regular users of public transport may obtain a subsidized monthly card.
Collective certificate from the residents' register
Certificado colectivo del padrón
A certificate of all persons registered at the address for social analyses.
Assessment of dependency / disability
Valoración de dependencia / discapacidad
Individuals with health conditions that limit daily life can request an assessment of dependency or disability.
Registration in DGT System
Registro en la DGT
A driver who wants online access to DGT data (fines, puntos, permiso).
Change of residence permit type
Modificación de estancia/residencia
A foreigner who wishes to change the type of permit (e.g., from tourist to work, from student to work).
ROI, register for EU transactions
ROI — Registro de Operadores Intracomunitarios
A company or self-employed individual invoicing EU clients without VAT must be in the ROI register.
Shareholders / partners register
Libro de registro de socios
An SL must keep a record of all partners and changes in shares.
Certification of business books
Legalización de libros contables
An SL must certify its business books in the Registro Mercantil every year.
Modelo 123, withholding tax on capital income
Modelo 123 — retención sobre rendimientos de capital
A company paying dividends, interest, or similar must submit Modelo 123.
Modelo 216, withholding tax for non-residents
Modelo 216 — IRNR retenciones
A company that pays income to foreign non-residents (dividends, fees, interest).
Property tax
Impuesto sobre el Patrimonio
Residents and non-residents with property in Spain above the threshold (€700,000 net per person).
Increase of company's share capital
Ampliación de capital
A company receiving new investments or founders increasing capital.
Tourism activity license
Licencia de Actividad Turística
Owner who rents to tourists and needs a formal activity license.
Permit for traveling with a child without one parent
Autorización de viaje para menores
Parents sending a child on a trip without both parents (with one parent or a third party).
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