EU Exit Update
Britain has left the European Union and new rules apply to go to live, work or study in Spain.
British citizens who were living in Spain before 31st December 2020 are broadly entitled to keep their more generous rights from when Britain was in the EU for as long as they live. To prove they were living in Spain and entitled to these rights they need to have either: i) a pale green European registration certificate (A4 size or credit-card size) or ii) the new TIE plastic card explicitly stating that the holder is covered by ‘Articulo 50 TUE’. Either is valid proof of those rights but swapping to a TIE is recommended at some point. There is no deadline to do this. Marbella useful information.
Have you moved to Spain after 1st January 2021?
The above information does not apply to you if you move to Spain after 1st January 2021. You will need a visa to spend more than 90 days in any 180 day period in Spain to live or on business. Getting a job in Spain or study also requires a visa. You need to apply for these from the UK before you settle in Spain. You cannot apply if you are in Spain. Marbella useful information.
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It is still possible to become a Spanish resident as a UK national, and acquiring residency will give you rights to support and welfare benefits and protection in the future, although the income requirements are higher to get residency and the benefits less generous and immediate than for those who lived in Spain before 31st December 2020.
Even if you move to Spain after 1st January 2020, you must ensure you are legally resident as you are at risk if something goes wrong, such as loss of work or a sudden health problem. Marbella useful information.
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EU Exit Update for British residents in Spain
Britain has left the European Union and as from the 1st of April the transition period expired.
Support to the British nationals based in Spain (UKNSF)
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) will provide practical support to UK Nationals who may find it harder to complete their residency applications to secure and maintain their residency rights in EU countries now that the UK has left the EU. In Spain, the Project will support UK nationals residing in Spanish territory with a special focus on the Community of Madrid, the Community of Andalusia, the Region of Murcia, Castilla La Mancha, Castilla y León and Extremadura and the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla.
Telephone numbers for IOM
Madrid, Castilla Léon, Castilla La Mancha, Extremadura: (0034) 699 581 855
Andalusia, Ceuta and Melilla: (0034) 650 339 754 / 616 825 704
Murcia/Almeria: (0034) 648 642 543
For guidance, you can also go to
Spain: register your residency
How UK nationals who plan to live in Spain for more than 3 months must register as a resident and on the Padrón at their town hall.
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Step 1: Submit your residence application
You must submit your residence application to the immigration office (Oficina de Extranjeros) in the province where you live.
You can do this electronically (if you have a digital signature ‘firma digital’), in person by appointment at the immigration office or via a third party representative of your choice who can submit your application, electronically or in person.
You will need to provide the following documentation:
Download application form
Submitting your application in person
To submit your application and documents in person, you must first request an appointment at the immigration office. In many provinces you must do this online via the public administration website:
or by telephone Malaga - call +34 95 298 04 60 and select OPTION 5 to request your appointment
Your T.I E. Application
Once your residency application has been approved by the immigration office you will need to obtain the TIE from the national police.
You must apply for an appointment online.
- choose your province
- then ‘trámites cuerpo nacional de policía’ (if this option is available)
- then ‘Policía Exp tarjeta asociada al Acuerdo de retirada ciudadanos británicos y sus familiares’
You must attend this appointment at the police station in person with the following documentation:
- application form EX23
- passport
- proof you have paid the fee (via form ‘modelo 790, code 012’ – choose option ‘certificado de registro de residente comunitario’). Currently this fee cannot be paid online.
- photograph (you must ensure this meets the Spanish administration’s requirements)
Many police stations will also require you to provide photocopies of official documents, such as your passport, at your appointment.
You will need to return to the police station with your valid passport to collect the TIE once it is ready. Marbella useful information.
Need free help to get your T.I.E. card if you live in Spain. Press here IOM Spain
Driving in Spain, NIE number & the Padrón Useful info
British living in Spain must have a Spanish driving licence
N.I.E number
The first step in moving to Spain is to get the NIE Number.
This number (“Número de Identidad de Extranjero”) is the basic identification with which you will be able to conduct any kind of legal procedure in the country, such as opening a bank account, buying a house or car, starting your company or getting your residence permit.
Please press the link https://marbellalink.com/n-i-e-number
Register on the Padrón
If you live in Spain you must register on the padrón municipal. This is a list kept by the town hall of all the people who live in that town. You must register at the address where you normally live. You cannot be registered on the padrón (‘empadronado’) at more than one address. You do not need to own a property to register, you can still register if you are renting or live with others.
Documents for the Padrón
When applying in person or online, you will need to present your valid passport as official identification, as well as documentation which
shows you live at the stated address such as:
- your NIE (numero de identidad de extranjero) or residence certificate / card
- the deeds to your house or a copy of your rental contract
- a recent utility bill in your name or proof of payment of municipal taxes
Contact C/ Los Naranjos, 1, Marbella (29600 Málaga)E-mai infomarbella@pgb.es
Telephone 952 761 100 / 952 829 015
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Need free help to get your T.I.E. card if you live in Spain.
British residents in Spain must hold a Spanish driving licence. Click here for more information.
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What is a Notary in Spain?
The notary is a professional within the Spanish law system and his/ her main function is to certify Spanish documents ensuring that private agreements fulfil certain legal criteria. The Spanish notary is involved in legalising agreements and contracts and uses a stamp and signature to endorse them.
Although they earn their fees from private individuals and companies, Notaries are essentially public officials who play a neutral role in drafting and witnessing many types of contracts in Spain. Their job is to ensure that both parties to an agreement understand the terms of the contract, that the terms of the contract do not contravene any laws, and to ensure that the appropriate taxes generated by the transaction are paid.
To develop their function they have a delegated power from the State. In this, sense, they depend on the Ministry of Justice and they join the profession after passing an official examination. As a precedent legal profession they are incorporated to the “Colegio de Notarios” presided by “Consejo Superior del Notariado”. The profession is regulated by Law May 28, 1862 and by Decree June 2, 1994.
The mission of the notary As described in the official Spanish notary website: As a civil servant, the notary must stick strictly to the legality of any document, declaration or act that individuals require and check that the dealings wanted by both sides meet the requirements placed by the legal system. This monitoring of legality gives you the best guarantees and the absolute certainty that your contract or business is final, fixed and effective. The notary has an obligation to provide legal advice, interpret, configure and authenticate the will of all participants involved with a legal agreement, giving special treatment to those who need more protection (article 147 of the Notary Regulations). Marbella useful information.
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