Living in Spain

Spain is divided into 17 autonomous communities (comunidades autónomas) and two autonomous cities, Ceuta and Melilla. The big rules that newcomers meet — visas and residence, the foreigner identity number (NIE), social security, income tax and tenancy law — are set by the national state. Health care, schools and many housing programmes are run by the autonomous communities, and every town hall (ayuntamiento, in Catalan ajuntament) keeps its own population register.

Who does what

• Spanish consulates abroad issue national (long-stay) visas for people who need one before travelling.
• Immigration offices (Oficinas de Extranjería) belong to the central government's delegation in each province. They decide many residence applications.
• The National Police (Policía Nacional) assigns NIE numbers, registers EU citizens and issues the foreigner identity card (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero, TIE). Appointments are booked online through the government's appointment system (cita previa).
• The Large Companies Unit (Unidad de Grandes Empresas, UGE) handles residence permits under the Entrepreneurs Act (Law 14/2013), including highly qualified professionals and international teleworkers (the "digital nomad" permit).
• The town hall registers you in the municipal register (empadronamiento). Registration is free and is the key to public health care and school places.
• Social Security (Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social and Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social) assigns your social security number and recognises your right to public health care; the health service of your autonomous community then issues your health card.
• The Tax Agency (Agencia Tributaria) collects income tax (IRPF). In Spain your NIE also works as your tax identification number.

What most newcomers deal with first

1. Residence status. Citizens of the EU, the EEA and Switzerland need no visa, but must register and get an EU registration certificate if they stay longer than three months. Most other nationals need a national visa from a Spanish consulate before travelling and must then apply in person for a TIE within one month of entry.
2. The padrón. Registering at your address with the town hall comes early, because health care, school places and many immigration procedures depend on it.
3. Work and social security. You need a social security number before you start a job; your employer then registers you.
4. Health care. Workers and their families are covered by the public system; other residents may need private insurance or a regional special agreement.
5. Housing. Tenancy contracts are regulated nationally, and stressed housing markets such as Barcelona apply rent caps.

Getting help

• Many town halls run newcomer services; in Barcelona, the city's immigrant advice service (SAIER) and the Barcelona International Welcome desk give free information.
• Free initial legal guidance is available through the bar associations' legal orientation services.

The HomiStart Spain guides are general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules, fees and thresholds change; check details with the official sources linked in each guide or with the office responsible for you.