Document & Registration Assistance for Americans & Britons
Every American or Briton moving to Spain eventually runs into the same wall of paperwork — NIE, NIF, TIE, padrón, digital certificates, apostilles. This is where we walk you through what each document is, who needs it, and how Spain Relocation can help you prepare and submit a complete application.
We handle the paperwork end to end: reviewing your situation, preparing and checking your forms, booking appointments, and submitting applications as your authorized representative for every document on this page.
Why these documents matter
Spain's administration runs on a small set of identifying numbers and registrations, and almost every other step of your relocation — opening a bank account, signing a lease, registering as self-employed, enrolling children in school, buying a car — depends on having the right one in hand at the right time. For US and UK citizens, the process is not identical to what an EU national goes through: neither country is in the EU/EEA, so both go through the standard non-EU procedures, though the specific offices, forms of ID, and consular options differ.
Below is an overview of the seven documents and registrations we help clients with most often. Each page covers eligibility, the required paperwork, the typical process, and current official fees, plus the questions we hear most from Americans and Britons specifically.
Documents we help you prepare and submit
NIE Number
Your foreigner tax ID number — required before almost anything else, from buying property to opening a bank account.
NIF Number
The tax identification number used once you're a resident or running a business — how the NIE relates to it and when each applies.
TIE Card
The physical residence card that proves your immigration status once you hold a Spanish visa or residence authorization.
Empadronamiento
Municipal registration at your local town hall — the document nearly every other procedure asks you to produce.
Digital Signature
The certificado digital that lets you handle Spanish tax and administrative filings online instead of in person.
Apostille & Legalization
How to get US and UK documents authenticated so Spanish authorities will accept them.
Criminal Record Certificate
FBI background checks for Americans and ACRO/DBS certificates for Britons, apostilled for use in Spain.
How the process typically works
While each document has its own requirements, most clients follow a similar sequence: we review your situation and target timeline, confirm which documents you actually need (this varies more than people expect — a digital nomad visa holder's paperwork differs from a property buyer's), gather and translate or apostille any US/UK-issued documents, complete the relevant application forms, and either accompany you to the appointment or, where permitted, submit and follow up on your behalf as your authorized representative. We do not make the final decision on any application — that authority rests entirely with the relevant Spanish government office, police station, tax agency, or consulate.
FAQ
What's the difference between NIE and NIF?
The NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is your foreigner identification number, issued by the National Police, and it stays the same for life. The NIF (Número de Identificación Fiscal) is your tax ID — for foreign residents, your NIE functions as your NIF once you're registered with the Spanish tax agency. See our NIE Number and NIF Number pages for the full breakdown.
Do I need a Spanish document before I even arrive?
Some, yes. US and UK citizens can apply for an NIE from a Spanish consulate before moving, which is useful if you're buying property or setting up a business remotely. Other documents, like empadronamiento and the TIE, require you to be physically present in Spain.
USWhich documents does a US citizen usually need first?
Most Americans start with an NIE (often via the Spanish consulate in the US or by proxy), then a TIE once a visa is approved, followed by empadronamiento and, for tax purposes, activation of the NIE as an NIF. See Digital Nomad Visa if that's your route into Spain.
UKHas Brexit changed which documents UK citizens need?
Yes. Since the end of the Brexit transition period, British citizens follow the same non-EU procedures as Americans for NIE, TIE, and residence applications, rather than the simpler EU registration certificate process available before 2021.
Can Spain Relocation get these documents for me?
We help you prepare, translate, and submit your application, and where legally permitted we act as your authorized representative before the relevant office. Final issuance of any government document is always decided and carried out by the Spanish authority itself, never by us.
How long does the whole process usually take?
It depends heavily on which documents you need and which region or consulate you're dealing with — some appointments are available within days, others take weeks to schedule. Each individual document page below includes typical timelines.
Not sure which documents you need?
Tell us about your situation — property purchase, work visa, retirement move — and we'll map out exactly which documents apply to you and in what order.
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