Your essential documents in Spain: NIE, TIE, municipal registration (padrón) and more in one place
Just arrived or getting set up? NIE, the TIE residence card, municipal registration (empadronamiento), the digital certificate and the health card — every document you need to live in Spain, explained simply and routed to a free check with NAVI.
Check which documents I need →✓ No account · ✓ A few minutes
Pick the document you need
The foreigner ID number for almost everything: who needs it, EX-15, fee form (tasa 790-012) and the consulate route.
Open guide → TIE residence cardThe physical card that proves your residence: when it is required, appointment, fingerprints and renewal.
Open guide → Municipal registration (empadronamiento/padrón)Register at the town hall, even without a formal lease — the usual proof of address (also for healthcare) and one of the documents that can prove your time in Spain for residence-by-roots regularisation (arraigo).
Open guide → Digital certificate (certificado digital)The digital certificate to do everything online: how to request it and why you cannot manage Spain without it.
Open guide → Health card (tarjeta sanitaria)Public healthcare and your TSI card: proof of address (usually municipal registration, padrón; without legal residence, other documents also count) → right → doctor, even while you are still regularising.
Open guide → Social Security number (NUSS)The number you need before any job — get it fast.
Open guide → A court letter arrivedPhoto the letter — what it demands and your real deadlines.
Open guide → Online municipal register (Padrón Online): what changed in 2026The real-time system is not running yet. What matters now: renewal every two years for many non-EU foreigners without long-term residence, and an up-to-date ID document before 2027.
Open guide → Understandable documents from 2027New cognitive-accessibility rules: what public bodies and firms such as banks, insurers or shops must make clearer — and what they do not give you.
Open guide →Not sure which document comes first?
Tell NAVI where you are — just arrived, no NIE yet, need a doctor or a digital certificate. It puts the documents in the right order, the deadlines and the next step, no account.
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Informational guide on the setup documents (NIE, TIE, municipal registration (padrón), digital certificate (certificado digital), health card (tarjeta sanitaria)) in Spain. Rules and deadlines change — check your case with NAVI.
Change history
- Participation in the OVHcloud Startup Program was removed; the OVHcloud mark and the membership badge no longer appear. Versions: EN, ES, RU, FR, RO, PT, AR, UK, DE, NL, PL
- The programme logos in the shared site footer were restyled; the page text did not change. Versions: EN, ES, RU, FR, RO, PT, AR, UK, DE, NL, PL
- The AI Pact programme statement now records the signed Pillar II voluntary pledges and links to the European Commission signatories list. Versions: EN, ES, RU, FR, RO, PT, AR, UK, DE, NL, PL
- Participation in EU AI Pact Pillar I was added to the programme information. Versions: EN, ES, RU, FR, RO, PT, AR, UK, DE, NL, PL
- Participation in the Google for Startups Cloud Program and OVHcloud Startup Program was added. Versions: EN, ES, RU, FR, RO, PT, AR, UK, DE, NL, PL
- Programme and certification marks were added to the shared site footer. Versions: EN, ES, RU, FR, RO, PT, AR, UK, DE, NL, PL
- Correction: an inaccuracy found in an internal quality review was fixed. Versions: EN, ES, RU, FR, RO, PT, AR
- Page published.
This guide is general information about Spanish law, not a legal opinion on your case. Rules change and outcomes depend on your own facts and documents — check your situation before you act on it.
Need everyday protection, not just a one-off check?
Included: checks of Spanish documents, letters, requests and contracts before signing, Action Plans, consultation and sending your claims by burofax.