EU Family Residency in Spain: Key Steps for British and Irish Passport Holders

Last Updated on April 18, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi

Question

I’m hoping I am doing this correctly. Husband with Irish passport and I with a British passport are planning to arrive in Spain sometime in the new year. While we are arranging our S1 to arrive with us, our plan was to arrange our appointment to obtain our NIE and then our TIE when we arrived, as I believe we have 90 days to do this.

We are presently in Spain for 27 days; will these days count towards the 90? Also, when I google to obtain where I go for NIE in Alicante region, what’s the title of the office I ask for? We are retired with a state pension. Many thanks.

Answers

These are the answers of Spainguru’s Facebook group members:

“What is an ‘S1? To correct some items from your question…

You do not have 90 days to do anything. Nothing in Spain happens that quickly. The sooner the better, but expect the whole process to take six months or so. You are the family member of an EU citizen, so there is no need to count days, provided you are traveling together. Have a copy of your marriage certificate handy in case you are asked to prove your relationship.

You don’t apply for a NIE. You apply for other stuff and get given your NIE ‘en passant.’

Broadly, he will submit EX18 at the Policia Nacional Extranjeria and receive a small green certificate.

Then you will submit an EX19 (can be done online via a local gestor or lawyer) and will eventually receive a TIE identity/residence card. You’ll need your S1 to prove healthcare.

Given your lack of knowledge (and I mean this kindly), I suggest you make sure you understand Spanish tax laws before you move. The last thing you want is to be surprised by a tax demand or penalty you weren’t expecting.”

“No reason to get an NIE until you satisfy other requirements: Proof of income/savings, proof of private healthcare, and a permanent address/padron. You need to get professional help if considering becoming a resident, both for residency and taxes.”

“Why do they need professional help? They are an EU family, so it’s all very simple. They are retired with a state pension, so do not need private health insurance.”

“Because there are a ton of gotchas even for EU citizens moving from one country to another when it comes to Spain. It’s wise to spend a few hundred to understand with certainty your situation, in my opinion.”

“You DO NOT NEED professional help. The majority of us do this all on our own.”

“I did it on my own and wish I hadn’t, in retrospect. I should have restructured overseas pensions and similar beforehand; it’s cost me a fortune. I know countless UK and US friends with problems that could have been avoided if they had planned better.

If anyone is going to be a long-term tax resident in Spain, they need professional advice in my opinion. Just because you can do it yourself doesn’t mean it’s wise. Getting residency is a straightforward process; dealing with taxes a few years later is not so easy.”

Here you can find tax experts both for tax filings in Spain and in the US/UK: https://spainguru.es/consultations-immigration-tax/

Conclusion

Spainguru’s Facebook group members highlight essential steps and considerations for British and Irish passport holders seeking residency in Spain as EU family members.

While acquiring the necessary documentation (NIE and TIE) may be manageable without professional help, several contributors emphasize the importance of understanding Spanish tax obligations to avoid costly surprises.

Having an S1 form for healthcare and a copy of the marriage certificate for proof of relationship are essential first steps. Although many members manage the process independently, seeking professional advice on tax planning could be a wise investment, especially for those planning to stay long-term.

Bruno Bianchi CEO & Spain Immigration Expert

Bruno Bianchi is the founder and CEO of Spainguru, Spain's largest expat immigration community with 150,000+ members. Since 2014 he has helped thousands of people relocate to Spain through expert guides, webinars and vetted professional services covering visas, residency, taxes and life in Spain.

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