Question
Getting very panicky over trying to register the S1 Form, it seems impossible as we don’t get a NIE or TIE until our Visa is issued and we arrive in Spain. Are we being thick, can anyone give a full explanation, PLEASE!
Answers
Make sure to join our dedicated Spanish Non Lucrative Visa group here!
“Where it asks for NIE put in your passport number. Complete the process then they send you a code for confirmation. You have no documents to upload but don’t worry, just leave it. Once you put in the code at the end you will receive an email with registration details stating they will be in touch for more information if needed. Print that email for each applicant and present it with your S1 at the interview.”
“Everything is in Spanish and I used a Google translate but make sure you turn it off once you understand what they are asking as it messed up the form first time around.”
“From memory when we did this the nationality always came up as Spanish, which you also be encountering. I think we went with that.”
“I pointed that out when we registered with INSS in Spain and told not to worry.”
“Sorry….typo. We went with that and finished the process. You only need an email from them acknowledging the registration and showing a reference number for the NLV application. The rest of the process is finished in Spain when you have your TIE.”
“You only need the documents with the code on that they send you after you have applied for your S1 in the UK. You then register it online and print out the confirmation email. You will then complete the process on arrival in Spain, when you go to the INSS office in your chosen region. They in turn will process this and give you a confirmation document which you take to your local doctors who will issue you with a SIP card. It’s easy enough to do yourself. Good luck.”
“I used a company to help with this and it was done very quickly but I think the NIE was needed. I thought it was worth paying extra to have it done properly. The turnaround was pretty quick but still took several days. Good luck but I think you need the confirmation in Spanish that the S1 has been preregistered.”
“It is in actual fact a pre-register.”
“Don’t panic. Ensure you are using the correct link and that you are on the web page that has the option ‘Registrar el formulario S1 para la asistencia sanitaria en España’. Then follow it through using your passport number in the relevant field, don’t worry about TIE, you complete the registration once here.”
Step-by-step S1 registration process
Registering the S1 form in Spain before receiving your TIE is possible and even recommended for Non-Lucrative Visa applicants.
Multiple community members confirmed that the correct process involves using your passport number in place of a NIE, completing the online application, and printing out the confirmation email with the reference code. This email can then be presented at your consulate appointment.
Direct link to S1 Form request
Download the form and access the online submission portal
While some members experienced issues with auto-filled nationality fields or Spanish-only forms, these obstacles can be overcome with tools like Google Translate and patience.
Fill the form with your details
Details verification
After filling in your identification details, you’ll be prompted to take a live photo holding your TIE card (or another valid ID like your passport or visa if your TIE isn’t available yet). Then, upload both sides of that document.
Next, you’ll need to enter your Spanish contact information, including a local phone number, and can add any optional notes that support your application. You can also upload other supporting files like your residency proof if relevant.
Once everything is uploaded, you’ll confirm your consent to share your data with the social security office and verify you’re not a robot. After signing and submitting the form, you’ll receive an email with a verification code. Enter this code and complete a digital signature to finalize the submission.
You’ll receive a confirmation message and a tracking number, save both. This information will also be emailed to you, and if more documentation is needed, you’ll be notified with a link where you can upload the missing items or check your application status.
You can check the S1 submission status here
If your registration goes through, you will receive a message via your email that says that your application status is now resolved. You will also get a link in the email body that takes you to the application status page. Here, you will receive information regarding your application and specific details of your registration.
Here’s a confirmation email reported by a Spainguru community member:
Print both the NHS and the Spanish S1s in full and in colour including the covering NHS letter. This will satisfy the health insurance part of your NLV application. You will then complete the registration once in Spain
Some Spainguru community members opted for paid services for peace of mind, although this is not required.
Most importantly, the registration at this stage is considered a “pre-registration.” The full process will continue once you arrive in Spain and receive your TIE. At that point, you will complete the S1 process in person at the INSS and can move forward with getting your SIP card and access to the public healthcare system.
Join our community!
Make sure to join our dedicated Spanish Non Lucrative Visa group here!
