Moving to Spain — the immigration appointment side
Spain's immigration system works, but it's slow and confusing if you don't know what to expect. This page covers the appointment side — NIE, TIE, and what happens when — in plain English.
What CitaEx does: We handle the appointment side — NIE and TIE bookings. We don't help with visa applications (that happens in your home country before you arrive). For visa advice, you'll want a Spanish immigration lawyer or your local consulate.
Your step-by-step timeline
Apply for your visa at a Spanish consulate
Non-EU nationals (UK post-Brexit, US, Australian, Canadian, etc.) need a visa to live in Spain long-term. The most common is the Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) for retirees or people with passive income. Digital Nomad Visa is another option if you work remotely. This happens in your home country — we can't help with this part, but we can tell you what to expect.
Register at your local town hall (Empadronamiento)
Within your first few weeks, register at the Ayuntamiento (town hall) to get your Certificado de Empadronamiento. This proves your address and is required for most subsequent steps. It's usually quick — just show up with your passport and a rental contract or utility bill.
Get your NIE number
Your NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is your foreigner ID number. You'll need it before you can do almost anything else: open a bank account, buy a car, sign contracts. CitaEx handles this appointment for you — 5 to 10 days typically.
NIE appointment guide →Apply for your TIE residency card
Once your visa is approved and you're in Spain, you need to get the physical residency card (TIE) within 90 days. This is the appointment that proves you legally live here. Without it you're technically in Spain on a tourist visa even if your long-stay visa was approved. CitaEx monitors the system 24/7 and grabs your TIE appointment the moment one opens.
TIE appointment guide →By nationality
🇬🇧 British (post-Brexit)
UK nationals who were residents before 31 Dec 2020 should already have a TIE under the Withdrawal Agreement. Moving now? You need a visa first (NLV, Digital Nomad, or work permit), then a TIE appointment.
🇺🇸 American
US nationals can stay in Spain without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. For longer stays, you need a Non-Lucrative Visa (most common for retirees) or a Digital Nomad Visa.
🇦🇺 Australian
Same 90-day Schengen limit as the US. Non-Lucrative Visa is the standard route for Australians retiring or relocating to Spain.
🇨🇦 Canadian
Canada and Spain signed an agreement expanding work and residency options. Check with your local Spanish consulate for the latest — options are expanding.
🇮🇪 Irish (EU citizen)
As EU citizens, Irish nationals have the right to live and work in Spain freely. You still need to register (Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión) after 3 months and often need a NIE for practical purposes.
Common questions
What's a Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) and do I need one?
The NLV is a visa for people who want to live in Spain without working — typically retirees or people with investment income, rental income, or savings. You apply at your home country's Spanish consulate. Requirements include proof of income (usually €28,000+/year for one person), private health insurance, and a clean criminal record. It's the most common route for British, American, and Australian retirees.
How long does the whole process take?
The visa application at the consulate typically takes 1–3 months. Once you're in Spain, the NIE can be done in 5–10 days with CitaEx. The TIE appointment is usually within 2–3 weeks of arrival with CitaEx, and the actual card takes 4–6 weeks to be issued after the appointment.
Can I work in Spain on a Non-Lucrative Visa?
Technically no — the NLV prohibits working in Spain. If you want to work, you'll need a work permit or the Digital Nomad Visa (if you work remotely for non-Spanish clients). We're not lawyers, so talk to an immigration lawyer if this applies to you.
Do my spouse and children need separate visas and appointments?
Yes. Each family member needs their own visa (applied for together at the consulate as a family unit) and their own NIE and TIE appointments. CitaEx can coordinate the appointments so your whole family is booked together at the same office when possible.
What's the Digital Nomad Visa?
Spain launched a Digital Nomad Visa in 2023 for remote workers earning income from outside Spain. It allows you to live and work in Spain while working for non-Spanish companies. Requirements are similar to the NLV but include proof of remote employment or freelance work. Very popular with British and American remote workers.
Planning your move?
Tell us your situation and we'll tell you exactly which appointments you need and when.
- NIE from €59
- TIE from €149
- English support throughout
- Coordinated family appointments
CitaEx is a private appointment monitoring service. Not a law firm. For visa advice, consult a Spanish immigration lawyer or your local Spanish consulate.