Spain draws buyers from across Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Asia — and what you need to relocate depends partly on your nationality. This guide walks through the essentials in the order you will meet them, flagging where the rules differ for EU and non-EU citizens, so you arrive prepared.
1. Residency: who needs a visa, and which one
Citizens of the EU, the EEA (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) and Switzerland have freedom of movement: no visa is required, and you simply register as a resident once you are here. Everyone else — including buyers from the UK, the United States, Latin America, the Gulf and Asia — needs a visa to live in Spain.
Spain’s Golden Visa (residency by property investment) ended on 3 April 2025, so buying a home no longer grants residency. The main routes for non-EU citizens now are the Non-Lucrative Visa (for those with enough passive income who will not work in Spain — popular with retirees and the financially independent), the Digital Nomad Visa (for remote workers and freelancers with mostly foreign income), and work or entrepreneur visas for those taking a Spanish job or starting a business. Our guide to residency after the Golden Visa covers the options in detail.
2. NIE, and your residency document
The NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is your permanent foreigner ID and tax number — every foreign buyer needs one to purchase property, open accounts and pay tax, regardless of nationality, and you get it first. When you become a resident, the document you receive depends on your status: EU/EEA/Swiss citizens get a green EU registration certificate (Certificado de Registro), while non-EU residents are issued the TIE, a physical biometric residency card linked to your NIE.
3. The padrón (empadronamiento)
Registering on the municipal padrón at your local town hall records your address and is the key that unlocks almost everything else: your residency document, the public health card, enrolling children in school, exchanging a foreign driving licence, and proving how long you have lived in Spain. Register as soon as you have an address.
4. Healthcare
If you work or are self-employed and pay social security, you and your dependants are covered by the public system. Residents not covered through work can join the state pay-in scheme, the convenio especial, after twelve months’ legal residence (roughly €60 per month under 65, more over 65). Visa routes that require it — such as the Non-Lucrative Visa — oblige you to hold comprehensive private health insurance from the outset; many new residents keep private cover and add or switch to public access later. EU citizens moving with an EHIC or S1 (for pensioners) should confirm their entitlements separately.
5. Tax: residency and the Beckham Law
Spend 183 days or more in Spain in a calendar year (or base your main economic interests here) and you become a Spanish tax resident, taxed on your worldwide income — this applies whatever your nationality. Employees and qualifying remote workers may be able to use the Beckham Law, a special regime taxing Spanish-source income at a flat 24% (up to €600,000) for up to six years, if they were not Spanish tax-resident in the previous five years and opt in within six months. On wealth tax, note that Catalonia applies a lower tax-free threshold (€500,000) than the national €700,000 — relevant for higher-value movers. See our cost of buying guide for the purchase taxes.
6. Driving licences
What you can do with your existing licence depends on where it was issued:
| Where your licence is from | What applies in Spain |
|---|---|
| EU / EEA | Valid in Spain — exchanging for a Spanish licence is optional |
| Countries with a bilateral agreement (UK, Switzerland, Japan, and many Latin American countries — Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia and others) | Exchange for a Spanish licence without a test, within 6 months of becoming resident |
| Countries without an agreement (USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and others) | No exchange possible — after 6 months you must pass the Spanish theory and practical tests |
To exchange under an agreement you will typically need your residency document, padrón, a medical certificate from an authorised centre (a short psicotécnico test) and the DGT fee. The DGT keeps the official list of agreement countries, which is updated periodically.
7. Pets and belongings
Within the EU, a pet travels on an EU pet passport (microchip plus an in-date rabies vaccination). Coming from outside the EU — including post-Brexit Great Britain, the US and most other countries — you generally need an EU animal health certificate for each trip, with the pet microchipped and rabies-vaccinated in the correct sequence (and, from some countries, a rabies-antibody blood test). Rules tightened in 2026, so allow several weeks’ lead time and check your country’s current requirements. For household goods, a change-of-residence move can qualify for customs relief with the right paperwork and an inventory; confirm the current procedure with a removals or customs agent before shipping.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still get a Spanish Golden Visa?
No. Spain’s Golden Visa — residency through a €500,000 property investment — ended on 3 April 2025 and no new applications are accepted. International buyers who want residency now use other routes, principally the Non-Lucrative Visa (for those with passive income) and the Digital Nomad Visa (for remote workers), or work and entrepreneur visas.
What do I need to move to Spain — does it depend on my nationality?
Yes. Citizens of the EU, the EEA (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) and Switzerland have freedom of movement: they do not need a visa and simply register as residents. Everyone else — for example buyers from the UK, the United States, Latin America, the Middle East or Asia — needs a visa to live in Spain. The common routes are the Non-Lucrative Visa for those with passive income, the Digital Nomad Visa for remote workers, and work or entrepreneur visas.
Do I need both an NIE and a TIE?
You get an NIE first — a permanent foreigner ID and tax number needed to buy property, sign contracts and pay tax. If you then become a resident, EU/EEA/Swiss citizens receive a green EU registration certificate (Certificado de Registro), while non-EU citizens are issued the TIE, a physical biometric residency card linked to the NIE.
Can I exchange my foreign driving licence in Spain?
It depends where your licence was issued. EU and EEA licences are valid in Spain and exchanging is optional. Licences from countries that have a bilateral agreement with Spain — including the UK, Switzerland, Japan and many Latin American countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Colombia — can be exchanged for a Spanish licence without a test, within six months of becoming resident. Licences from countries without an agreement — including the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand — cannot be exchanged: after six months you must pass the Spanish theory and practical tests.
Will I pay wealth tax in Catalonia?
Possibly. Spanish residents are liable for wealth tax on their worldwide net assets. The national tax-free allowance is €700,000, but Catalonia sets it lower, at €500,000, so higher-value movers should plan for it. Spain also has a separate solidarity tax on large fortunes at higher brackets. Take qualified Spanish tax advice before relocating.
Rules and figures change — spotted an error or have a suggestion? Let us know here and we will keep this guide current.
This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice, and figures are guides current as of 2026 that vary by property, region and circumstances. Always confirm with a qualified lawyer and tax adviser before proceeding.