海角乱伦

Hello!

In Spain, to obtain the Green NIE (EU residence certificate) it is generally required to prove health insurance. If you are employed and reside in Spain, you may be entitled to public healthcare, which you will be able to access once you have your NIE and are registered with social security. However, if you are not employed, private health insurance is usually required to cover full medical services (not just emergencies).

We strongly recommend consulting with a manager or legal expert to ensure compliance with all requirements.***

We wish you good luck with your process.

Thank you for this information, this is what I was looking for,

@seamus452

I'm glad the information was useful. Good luck!

Best regards,

Forcam Lawyers

@seamus452

The "Green NIE" (or "NIE Verde") is what some folks call the "EU Citizen Registration Certificate".

To avoid terminology confusion, the NIE is your foreigner ID number (N煤mero de Identidad de Extranjero). The TIE is your residence permit and ID card (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero). The Green NIE is a registration certificate (Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Uni贸n Europea). Both the Green NIE and the TIE have your NIE included on it.

If you just want the NIE (e.g. you want to buy a property in Spain) this is possible fairly easily, and without being/becoming a legal resident. If you want to relocate to Spain to live, then you need the appropriate visa (e.g. NLV) followed by the TIE.

As you seem to be a US citizen, you can't get a Green NIE. If you have dual nationality (e.g. US / Ireland), then this is much easier than other immigration options (and can be done when you're in Spain).

In any case, when you do any kind of immigration process in Spain (e.g. residence visa such as NLV, TIE) you will normally be asked for proof of health insurance. Most folks will do this by getting a private health insurance policy in Spain. There are many providers (you can easily find them on Acierto/Rastreator) who offers this. Depending on age and prior medical history, it's likely to be in the 1,000 to 2,000 euros range). If you're in Spain now, you can do this at most any insurance broker where you're staying.

There are some rules on coverage amount. and deductible (none). And you'll need to provide your policy in Spanish (or in English with a certified translation). It's not impossible that you can use your existing American Health Insurance, but it's unlikely.

If you're already in Spain, it's probably not possible to get a residence visa without returning to the US (I believe digital nomad visa is one exception). If you already have a residence visa, then you should look at the requirements for getting your TIE. You should note the proof of address for the TIE, which means you need to be registered on the local padron (typically not possible without a long-term rental contract or a property deed).

NLV application guidance at BLS

guidance on applying for a NIE

the TIE

Specifics on the health insurance requirements (per BLS page)

鈥淧ublic or private health insurance certificate taken out with an insurance company authorised to operate in Spain. The insurance must cover all risks insured by the public health system in Spain. The health insurance must meet the following requirements: The insurance must cover all risks insured by the public health system in Spain. This coverage must be maintained throughout the validity of the authorisation. The health insurance must not have a waiting period, grace periods, co-payments, deductions or coverage limit, that is, it must cover 100% of medical, hospital and extra-hospital expenses. However, if the insurance coverage is limited to a certain amount, this limit must not be less than 鈧�30,000. Travel insurance will not be accepted. Insurance cards will not be accepted as proof of the contracting of health insurance.鈥�

Thank you for your answers.

I am a dual Ireland / USA citizen.

So, now having that information, as far as you know, what parts of your above very comprehensive information pertain to me.

Do I need the NIE at all if I am not yet planning to buy property but rather secure a long -term rental?

I plan to return to Spain in October to live.

After 90 days what are my obligations?

After 183 days in one calendar year I come a tax resident.

At what point do i register as a resident and what is the first form of registration I need to do?

I have yet to contact an attorney, but i think I will do, since I continue to get conflicting information.聽 Howver it occurs to me from reading your responses and other responses you have given other expat.com members, that you might have an excellent handle on this. Again thank you very much.

@seamus452

Congrats to you, that makes life a lot easier! I had kinda guessed from "Seamus" but wasn't sure. :-)

In your case, you can ignore visas and TIE, and get the Green NIE (as you already thought). It's a very straightforward process, and you can do it in Spain, at your local immigration office.

There's an online booking system (cita previa) here:

You need the process for Certificado de Registro... (it's not called Green NIE officially).

The requirements are here

The exact requirements depend on whether you're working or retired/economically inactive.

I think you can get away without a proof of address (but you need to put a Spanish address, and using your hotel might be pushing it). The proof of funds is a nice bank statement. You'll almost certainly need to get a proper Spanish private health insurance policy.

As you're an EU citizen, you should be able to get yourself in the public health system fairly quickly (after registration).

More generally, EU citizens SHOULD register if they intend to stay in Spain more than 90 days. You can get away with not doing it or waiting (and flashing your Irish passport when asked). But it's fairly straightforward so I don't see much advantage to delaying it. I actually flew in for my Cita Previa, so I was only in Spain for a couple of days. You get the certificate at your first appointment (no waiting), and it has your NIE (assigned to you at registration, no separate application needed). It's worth doing as the quick way to get your NIE, and the first step to getting in the public health system (and opening a local bank account).

It's so quick that you could probably do it this trip. Or you can do it when you return.

All the info for EU Citizen Registration is online, and the booking system is also online. It's one appointment and it's done. A lawyer will make it easier, of course, but at a cost. Most folks do it themselves, I certainly did. There's no downside to trying either. If they think one of your documents isn't sufficient, they'll tell you... you go away and fix it, and then book another appointment. I can't remember the appointment fee, maybe 12 euros or so. If your Spanish isn't much cop, I suggest you go with a translator / gestor / helpful Spanish friend (all are far cheaper than an attorney).

With the Green NIE you are a legal resident, and you can come and go as you please, and stay as long as you like.

Tax residence is different, and depends on where your money/property/family is, and how much time you spend in Spain. You can be a legal resident, but remain non-tax resident. Typically by spending less than 183 days per year there.

As I recall, they ask for an address and phone number and email. I recommend a proper Spanish address and Spanish telephone number. But they don't ask for a rental contract or padron certificate.

The proof of funds is typically a bank statement. I opened a non-resident account at Sabadell, transferred some money, and got an official bank statement. This is the best, but I think they will accept foreign banks too. IPREM (minimum wage) is now 600 euros per month, so I guess 7.2k euros will definitely work (but maybe they'll be fine with less).

The health insurance is a bit pricey, but I think it's the best way to go. When you have a cita previa booked, go to your local insurance broker and buy a policy. We went with ASISA as they are good and among the cheaper ones.

@seamus452

Hello, for the white NIE you don't need insurance, the green one is in case you are going to live in Spain more than 183 days/year.

@seamus452

Application for the NIE does not require health insurance, but if you麓re in Spain already it does require an electronic certificado, this in order to make a cita previa for the NIE application.聽 We also experienced a petulant officer who insisted on a "legitimate reason" for applying for the NIE.聽 We landed on the reason as "empowering my attorney" (empoderamiento).

Thanks again for your response, you're always very helpful.

Just to clarify I would be applying for the green NIE.

I am fully retired and do not plan to work.聽 I will not be a tax resident until 2026 (183 days ).

I did open a PO box at a local MailBox ETC hoping that this will qualify for my local address.

I did get a Spanish phone number Sim card added to my phone.

You mentioned a "electronic certificado". Is this the same as the Digital Certificate?I realize the Health Insurance is not required for the White NIE but it is required for the Green?聽 (Since I will not be back until October, at which time I will be here permanently, I would like to get as much done while I am here.聽 But will not need to carry insurance for the next 6 months while not here. )聽 I think this is the only thing holding me up at this point as far as I can see.

Do you think it would help if I register as a resident while here using my. PO box address?聽 Or聽 do you think this will indicate I am here for over the 183 day period for for 2025 Tax resident status?

If I can get the NIE and a Spain bank account open prior to October, I would feel better prepared but I realize not essential.

Thanks again for your thoughts, you have been extremely helpful.

@gwynj

Thanks again for your response, you're always very helpful.

Just to clarify I would be applying for the green NIE.

I am fully retired and do not plan to work.聽 I will not be a tax resident until 2026 (183 days ).

I did open a PO box at a local MailBox ETC hoping that this will qualify for my local address.

I did get a Spanish phone number Sim card added to my phone.

You mentioned a "electronic certificado". Is this the same as the Digital Certificate?I realize the Health Insurance is not required for the White NIE but it is required for the Green?聽 (Since I will not be back until October, at which time I will be here permanently, I would like to get as much done while I am here.聽 But will not need to carry insurance for the next 6 months while not here. )聽 I think this is the only thing holding me up at this point as far as I can see.

Do you think it would help if I register as a resident while here using my. PO box address?聽 Or聽 do you think this will indicate I am here for over the 183 day period for for 2025 Tax resident status?

If I can get the NIE and a Spain bank account open prior to October, I would feel better prepared but I realize not essential.

Thanks again for your thoughts, you have been extremely helpful.

@seamus452

My guess is that the "NIE" terminology is potentially confusing, and leading to some misleading guidance.

What you want is the "Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Uni贸n Europea" (EU Citizen Registration Certificate).

There is very detailed official guidance here.

The process is fast (one appointment, if you have all the documents) and done at the immigration office nearest your address in Spain. Normally, appointments are available within a week or two. You should walk out of the office with your small blue-green paper certificate (what you're calling the "Green NIE"). With this certificate, you are a legal resident of Spain, and you have your NIE (one is assigned to you and included on your certificate).

You book the appointment ("Cita Previa") online. This is open to all, and does not need any kind of electronic certificate.

If you are retired, then you are "economically inactive" and "no se ejerce actividad laboral en Espa帽a". This has its own guidance in the above page. Specifically, that you provide proof of medical insurance in Spain (with no exclusions/deductibles) and proof of sufficient financial resources.

The former is typically from a Spanish health insurance company. It doesn't have to be, but it's usually the easiest and fastest way to go. The latter is by providing proof of income (such as pension entitlement letter) or proof of savings (such as bank/brokerage statement). The easiest is a bank statement as it's quick and easy, and doesn't need to be translated (as it's mostly numbers). The amount is based on the IPREM. This is currently 600 euros per month, so anything over 7,200 euros (12 x 600) should be fine. Ideally, you open a Spanish account, transfer this money, and then get a bank-certified statement from your branch (the strongest possible proof that you have this money available for your new life in Spain). I did this by opening a non-resident account at Banco Sabadell. I don't believe it's strictly required, and a healthy balance in one of your American accounts will probably be accepted. (But, again, it's a much stronger proof if your bank puts an official stamp on it and sends it to you, rather than you just printed it off the internet.)

They expect to see a health insurance policy for the next 12 months. It doesn't matter if you will be leaving and don't need insurance. They want to see coverage for the coming year, otherwise you won't get your certificate. You might be able to cancel your insurance after you have your certificate, if you really want to. I just paid cash for the whole year as it was the cheapest option. If you don't like the cost of private medical insurance (it is cheaper than USA, but still expensive) you can do 3 things (after you have your certificate, not before): cancel/don't renew your insurance and be uninsured (and pay out of pocket for all medical expenses), downgrade the coverage (more exclusions, larger deductibles), or get yourself into the Convenio Especial or otherwise make your monthly contributions to the social security / public health system (as unemployed, self-employed, or as an employee).

Your future health insurance plans have no relevance to the immigration process, and this issue is only policed at the time you apply for your Certificado. However, I would say that it's very unwise for retirees to be uninsured. It's highly recommended to maintain private insurance or be enrolled in the public system. I pay as unemployed every month to maintain full public coverage, and I'm entitled to an EHIC for use when travelling in the EU.

The guidance mentions an application form and an application fee. You can find the form (EX-18) online and you should be able pay your application fee at any bank branch. They stamp your receipt so you can prove to the immigration office that you paid already.

Having a Spanish phone number to put on your application form is helpful. I put my partner's Spanish number on my application, and, as far as I know, they never called.

You also need to put a Spanish address on your application form. However, you'll note from the requirements given above that no PROOF of address is asked for. So you don't need a rental contract or a padron certificate. However, it's supposed to be the place where you're LIVING in Spain, so I doubt they will accept something that is obviously not a residential address (e.g. Hotel X or Box Y) or that you volunteer is a Hotel or a Box rather than your home. They also expect to see that the immigration office you apply at corresponds with your address (i.e. same city/district). With no proof required, you can basically pick an address... this is about as easy as form filling gets! Just don't say "I looked up the address of the coffee shop I had my bocadillo and espresso at this morning, and put that" (even if that's what you did).

When I did this process (several years ago), I was living in Bulgaria. I made an online booking for an immigration office in Madrid (as there are more flights and cheaper flights to the capital). Our visit was just 3 days. I arrived, went to the appointment next day, and left the day after that. I paid my application fee at a bank near our hotel on the morning of my immigration appointment. For the address, I put the street address of the hotel we were staying at (i.e. without the hotel name). As mentioned, NO PROOF is asked for! My guess is that the street address of your Mailboxes ETC (i.e. without the PO BOX) would be OK.

Immigration officers are mostly fairly impatient with foreigners with rubbish Spanish. If that's you, I recommend you take a friend/helper/translator with you.

So, after all that, what can you do now (if you have another month or so in Spain)?

It should be entirely feasible to get your Certificado. As mentioned, I did mine during a 3 day visit to Spain. My immigration appointment was less than an hour, and I left with the Certificate.

It should be feasible to open a non-resident bank account (or a standard resident account if you have your Certificado).

You can get a health insurance policy from any local insurance broker (needed for the Certificado). Probably same day if you have a credit card to pay for it.

Your tax residence status and plans in this regard are not relevant to the Certificado process.

EU citizens are a privileged class as they have the RIGHT of Free Movement. So this whole process is very much a formality. By which I mean you have to read the instructions and give them what they want. But it's a very easy and very quick process. Pretty much the easiest and quickest of all immigration-related options.

Good luck!