Relocation plan: Spain

Do you need a visa?

Yes. For skilled jobs, the most common route is the residence permit for highly qualified professionals, which can be an EU Blue Card, handled by the Large Companies Unit (UGE).

1. The employer applies to the UGE online. It requires a qualified job offer and the minimum salary shown in the box above.
2. With the permit, you apply for the visa at the Spanish consulate in the country where you live.
3. After arriving, you apply for the foreigner's identity card (TIE) at the police within a month of entry.

Official UGE requirements · Sheet: highly qualified professionals

Documents and where to get them

In your country, before you leave

• Passport, valid for the whole move; the visa is issued in the passport.
• Birth certificate (and marriage certificate, if married). Usually with an apostille (or legalisation) and a certified translation; check with the embassy.
• Criminal record certificate from your country of nationality and, if different, from where you lived recently: visa applications often require it. Request it close to the date it will be used.
• Degree, transcript and references from previous jobs, digitally, with certified translations if the visa asks for them.

In Spain

• NIE (foreigner's identity number): on the registration certificate or the TIE. Asked for almost everywhere: contract, bank, housing.
• Empadronamiento: registering your address at the town hall (ayuntamiento). It gives access to the health centre and many procedures ask for it.
• Social security number (NUSS): the employer needs it for the contract; it is issued by the Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social.
• Health card (tarjeta sanitaria) at your local health centre, with the empadronamiento and social security registration.

Step by step

Before you leave

1. Sign the contract and confirm in writing the gross annual salary, the start date and the relocation support.
2. Make sure the employer has applied to the UGE and book the visa appointment at the consulate.
3. Gather the documents above.
4. Find a flat with a lease in your name: it is what lets you register your address.
5. In your country, tell the authorities you are moving: update your registered address and your tax residence. In the year you leave, tax may be due for the part of the year you were still resident.

First week

1. Do the empadronamiento at the town hall.
2. Book the fingerprinting for the TIE at the police, within a month of entry.
3. Get your social security number, if the employer has not done it yet.

First month

1. Open a Spanish bank account (many banks ask for the NIE).
2. Get the health card at the health centre.
3. Ask your employer about the special regime for posted workers (Beckham law): it must be requested within 6 months of registering with social security. More in the Spain guide.