Residencia in Spain: How EU citizens apply for the registration certificate
What does Residencia mean in Spain?
The "Residence" in Spain is the registration certificate for EU citizens, which last longer than three months in the country. It obliges you to register in the central register for foreigners. Anyone who completes this step receives an official certificate confirming the right of residence in Spain documented.
Who has to apply for residency?
Any EU citizen who has been in the EU for more than three months Spain is legally obliged to Residence This applies to pensioners, employees, self-employed persons and people who have sufficient financial means and health insurance.
Requirements for Residencia
In order to obtain residency, certain conditions must be met. These include proof of employment or sufficient financial means to support oneself. Proof of health insurance is also required if there is no employment relationship. Pensioners must prove that they receive a pension from their home country.
Family members and their entitlement to residency
Spouses, registered partners, and dependent children and parents of an EU citizen also have the right to apply for residency. They must prove that they are dependent on or live with the main applicant.
The procedure for applying for residency
The application is usually made in seven steps:
1. Make an appointment with the relevant authority (police station or Oficina de Extranjería)
2. Compilation of the necessary documents (passport, NIE number, proof of financial means or employment contract, proof of health insurance)
3. Payment of the administration fee (Modelo 790)
4. Submission of documents at the authority appointment
5. Identity verification and confirmation of information by the officials
6. Issuance of the registration certificate with personal identification number (NIE)
7. Collection of the completed residency certificate
validity period of the residency
The residency is valid indefinitely as long as the residence status is maintained. After five years of continuous residence, a permanent residency can be applied for.
obligation to report changes
Any change affecting your residence status, such as a change of address, name or change of employment, must be reported to the competent authority.
loss of the right of residence
The right of residence may be lost under certain circumstances, for example if the conditions are no longer met or if the applicant leaves Spain for more than six months per year without providing a valid reason.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Residencia
Residencia offers benefits such as access to the Spanish healthcare system, tax advantages and simplified administrative procedures. However, it can entail tax obligations, especially if you are a tax resident and have to pay income tax in Spain.
Summary
The residency is compulsory for EU citizens who live in Spain for more than three months. It secures the right of residence and simplifies numerous administrative processes. The application involves a number of administrative procedures, but is worthwhile in the long term for anyone who wants to settle permanently in Spain.
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How much is the compensation?
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Skyscanner – the easiest way to find the cheapest flight, hotel & car rental
Flightright – When passenger rights simply work
Flight delays, cancellations, or overbookings are unfortunately not uncommon. However, many passengers are unaware that they are entitled to compensation in such cases – and even fewer know how to pursue it. This is precisely where Flight right comes into play: a pioneer among legal tech companies and market leader in the field of air passenger rights.
Specialist in EU passenger rights since 2010
Since its founding in 2010, Flightright has pursued a clear goal: to help passengers assert their rights against airlines – quickly, easily, and risk-free. The legal basis for this is the EU Air Passenger Rights Regulation 261/2004, which, among other things, provides compensation of up to 600 euros for flight problems.
How Flightright works
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The highlight: Payment is only made if the claim is successful. If no payout is made, there are no costs. If compensation is successful, Flightright retains a commission from the compensation amount. This model ensures maximum fairness and transparency.
Retroactive up to three years possible
Many people don’t know that even flights that took place in the past can still be compensated – usually up to three years retroactively. It is therefore worthwhile to have older cases reviewed again.
How much is the compensation?
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- EUR 250 for short distances up to 1.500 km
- EUR 400 for medium-haul flights between 1.500 km and 3.500 km
- EUR 600 for long distances over 3.500 km
This usually requires an arrival delay of at least three hours – or a flight cancelled at short notice for which the airline is responsible.
Why Flightright?
What sets Flightright apart is not only its fair success model, but also its impressive success rate of around 99% in legal proceedings. With over 600 million euros in compensation payments enforced Flightright is one of the absolute pioneers in Europe.
The provider also scores points with transparent communication: The status of the case can be viewed online at any time – conveniently from the sofa or on the go via smartphone.
For all those who do not want to be left with the damage
No one should forgo their right to compensation just because the process seems complicated. With Flightright, asserting your rights is child's play – without any stress, paperwork, or legal fees. Anyone who has experienced flight trouble can now easily protect themselves and have their compensation pursued professionally.
Check here whether you are entitled to money – and in the best case scenario, receive compensation soon
By ferry from Barcelona, Valencia or Denia to Ibiza
Tickets and services for 190 ferry companies in 33 countries
















