EU Registration Certificate in Barcelona: EX-18, Proofs and Fee
Living in Barcelona as an EU citizen means getting the green registration certificate with your NIE. This is what each type of resident has to prove.
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens staying in Spain over three months must get the green registration certificate (certificado de registro de ciudadano de la Unión). In Barcelona you apply at a police office by cita previa, with form EX-18, your passport or ID, proof of work, study or funds, and a €12.00 fee as of November 2026.
Who has to register?
Stays under three months need only a valid passport or ID card. Beyond three months, the Ministry of the Interior says you have the right to reside in Spain if you fall into one of these groups:
- you work in Spain as an employee or self-employed person
- you have enough resources for yourself and your family plus health insurance that covers all risks in Spain
- you are enrolled at a recognized school or university, have health insurance and declare that you have enough resources
- you are a family member joining or accompanying an EU citizen who meets one of the conditions above
The application must be filed within three months of entering Spain. The certificate shows your name, nationality, address, NIE and registration date, and the police issue it immediately when the file is complete.
Where do you apply in Barcelona?
You apply in person at the immigration office of the province where you live or, failing that, at the corresponding police station. In Barcelona the route is the cita previa de extranjería system: choose the province of Barcelona and the police procedure for the EU citizen registration certificate (certificado de registro de ciudadano de la UE). Then pick any office and slot shown.
Appointments are free and released periodically. If none appear, try again at other times of day rather than paying third parties.
Which documents prove your right to stay?
Bring form EX-18, your valid passport or national ID (if expired, a copy plus proof that you applied to renew it), and originals with copies of the documents for your case. The Ministry of the Interior lists the following:
| Your situation | Proof accepted |
|---|---|
| Employee | Employer’s hiring declaration or employment certificate, a registered work contract, or proof of Social Security registration (not needed if you consent to the police checking Social Security records) |
| Self-employed | Registration in the tax census of economic activities, the Mercantile Register or Social Security as a self-employed worker |
| Not working (retired, living on savings) | Health insurance with cover in Spain equivalent to the public system, and proof of sufficient resources such as property titles, bank certificates or income from capital |
| Student | Enrolment at a recognized school, health insurance covering all risks in Spain, and a declaration of sufficient resources |
| Family member | Proof of the family link and of the EU citizen’s own registration or conditions |
Pensioners meet the health insurance condition if they prove, with the right certificate, that the state paying their pension covers their healthcare. People without public cover can also take out a convenio especial (special agreement) with the regional health system where they are registered on the padrón.
How much money counts as sufficient resources?
The Ministry says the assessment is individual and must consider your personal and family situation. It treats as sufficient any resources above the amount set each year in the state budget for entitlement to the non-contributory benefit. The figure changes with each budget, so check the current amount with the police office or the Ministry before your appointment rather than relying on a number from a forum.
What does it cost?
The fee is paid on form 790 code 012 before the appointment, ticking the line that covers the EU resident registration certificate. As of November 2026 it is €12.00. The same line on the form also covers TIE cards for family members of EU and Spanish citizens and the Withdrawal Agreement TIE for UK nationals.
How do you apply, step by step?
- Register on the padrón first if you can; several offices ask for it, and our guide to empadronamiento in Barcelona explains the process.
- Download form EX-18, fill it in and sign it.
- Gather proof for your situation from the table above, with photocopies.
- Fill in and pay form 790 code 012 at a bank.
- Book the police appointment for the EU registration certificate in the province of Barcelona.
- Attend with originals, copies and the paid fee form. If everything is in order, you leave with the certificate.
What about non-EU family members and UK citizens?
Non-EU spouses, registered partners and dependent relatives of an EU citizen do not get the green certificate. They apply for a residence card for family members of a Union citizen, a TIE with the same €12.00 fee as of November 2026. UK nationals who lived in Spain before the end of the Brexit transition hold a Withdrawal Agreement TIE. UK nationals arriving now are treated as non-EU citizens and follow the general rules, starting with an NIE and a visa or permit.
Bottom line
Book the appointment as soon as you have a contract, enrolment letter or bank statements, because the three-month window passes quickly when slots are scarce. If you are not working, bring more proof of funds and insurance than you think you need, and ask the office or a licensed adviser if your case is unusual.
FAQ
Is the green certificate an ID card?
No. It proves your registration and NIE, but you still need your passport or national ID to prove identity.
Do I need it to open a bank account or sign a contract?
Banks, employers and landlords usually ask for your NIE, which appears on the certificate. Our guide to opening a bank account in Spain covers what banks request.
Does the certificate expire?
The Ministry of the Interior says it stays valid while you keep meeting one of the conditions above, and it can later be replaced by a permanent residence document. You must report changes of nationality, marital status or address. Your padrón registration in Barcelona does need renewing every five years if you hold the EU certificate.
Can I apply after more than three months?
The rule is to apply within three months of arrival. If you are late, book anyway and ask the office how to regularize your file.
