Obtaining NIE, Residency,Empadronamiento and Spanish Health Cards

Obtaining NIE, numbers, Residency, Social Security number, Empadronamiento. English health cards, S1 cards (previously E121 and E111) and S2 cards (previously E112) and EHIC (The UK European Health Insurance Card) Spanish health card or private health insurance.

We can help you apply for an N.I.E.number (Número de Identidad/Identificación de Extranjero) which is similar to a UK national insurance or social security number. This is your identification number in Spain. It is needed in order to buy property, file taxes, establish a business, open a bank account and for almost any other form you fill out.

N.I.F. –(Número de identitad Fiscal) Fiscal number Spanish law requires you to have an NIF number when you own a car, house or business in Spain or if you are employed.

C.I.F (Certificado de Identificación Fiscal) This is the same as the NIF, but for companies.Social Security Number: Your employer applies for this number when you start your first job in Spain. This number then stays with you for all subsequent jobs. If you are self-employed, you apply for this number yourself.

Residencia – Work Permit and Right to reside. If you have Residencia you can have a residence bank account which has a number of advantages, like a slightly cheaper mortgage rate and beneficial borrowing terms (up to an 80% mortgage rather than 60%)

Empadronamiento – the equivalent of being on the electoral role as together with another form it allows you to vote, join the library and other local institutions. You will need your passport and a rental contract of the house you are renting or your ‘Escritura’ (Deed to your house) to obtain this.

We can help you obtain the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The EHIC will entitle you to emergency medical health benefits for up to 3 months. It will not cover you for most types of non-urgent treatment such as treatment for ongoing conditions.If you are retiring to Spain, or have specific medical conditions like diabetes, then you will also need the S1 form.

Once registered with the Spanish authorities, the S1 gives you and your dependents the same medical cover in Spain as a Spanish national under the Spanish state-run health scheme. We can help you join the Spanish social security system which is much like the British one, in that you pay your contributions every month, and that entitles you to a pension, unemployment benefit, sick pay, maternity pay and the right to receive free healthcare. Alternatively we can also advise you on private health insurance plans. click here for more information to what your rights are in Europe for health care.