What is the EX-18?
The EX-18 is Spain's official registration form for EU, EEA (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein) and Swiss citizens who plan to stay in Spain for more than three months. Submitting it gets you registered in the Registro Central de Extranjeros (Central Register of Foreigners) and results in the issuance of a certificado de registro — commonly known as the green card — which contains your NIE number (Número de Identidad de Extranjero)
Unlike non-EU nationals, EU citizens don't apply for a residency permit — they simply register. The EX-18 is that registration form. It's free, it's required by law, and it's the document that proves you're legally resident in Spain.
Quick facts
- Full name: Solicitud de inscripción en el Registro Central de Extranjeros — Residencia ciudadano de la UE
- Legal basis: Real Decreto 240/2007
- Who needs it: EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens staying in Spain >3 months
- Result: Green card (certificado de registro) with your NIE
- Cost: Free (sale of this form is prohibited by law)
Before you start filling it in
The Spanish authorities are strict about the format of completed forms. An incorrectly filled form can be rejected on the spot, sending you home to start again. Follow these rules before putting pen to paper:
- Use capitals throughout — every letter must be uppercase (MAYÚSCULAS).
- Use a black pen and write in clear, block print letters (letra de imprenta). Alternatively, fill it in digitally and print it.
- Print two copies — you must present both the original and a copy. Bring more if in doubt.
- Download the latest version from the official Ministry website (extranjeros.inclusion.gob.es) — old versions are rejected.
The form has two pages and three sections. Pages 1 and 2 are what you submit. Page 3 is instructions only — you don't hand that in.
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Section 1: Datos del Solicitante (Your personal data)
This is the most detailed section and covers your personal identification and Spanish address. Take your time — errors here are the most common reason for rejection.
Your valid passport number exactly as it appears on the document.
💡 Don't include spaces or dashes.
Only fill this in if you already have a NIE assigned. Three separate boxes — the letter, the 7-digit number, and the check letter. If you don't have one yet, leave it blank.
💡 Format: X-1234567-A
Your first (paternal) surname as it appears on your passport.
Your second (maternal) surname if you have one. Leave blank if you only have one surname.
Your full legal first name(s) as on your passport.
Tick H for Male (Hombre) or M for Female (Mujer). The X (Indefinido) box is only for people whose country of origin officially recognises a non-binary gender.
Your date of birth in dd/mm/aaaa format. There are three small boxes — day, month, year.
💡 Example: 05/03/1990 — day first, then month, then four-digit year.
City or town where you were born.
Country where you were born.
Your current EU/EEA/Swiss nationality — what's on your passport.
Tick the box that applies: S (Soltero/a — Single), C (Casado/a — Married), V (Viudo/a — Widowed), D (Divorciado/a — Divorced), Sp (Separado/a — Separated).
Your father's full first name (not surname).
Your mother's full first name (not surname).
Your street name in Spain. Use the main long box for the street name.
Your house or building number.
Your apartment floor and door, e.g. 3B or 2IZQ. Leave blank if you live in a house.
Your city or town of residence in Spain.
Your 5-digit Spanish postal code.
The Spanish province (not region) — e.g. Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia.
Your Spanish or international mobile number. Include the country code if non-Spanish.
💡 +34 for Spain.
Your email address. The authorities may send status updates here.
Only fill in if a legal guardian is applying on behalf of a minor. Enter the guardian's full name.
The ID document number of the legal representative, if applicable.
The legal basis for the representation, e.g. Padre/Madre del menor (parent of a minor) or Tutor (guardian).
Section 2: Datos del Representante (Representative)
Leave this section entirely blank if you are submitting the form yourself. Only fill it in if someone else — such as a lawyer, gestor, or administrative representative — is physically handing in the form on your behalf. This is not the same as Section 1's legal guardian field.
If a third party is submitting on your behalf, they must provide:
- Their full name or company name (Nombre/Razón Social)
- Their ID number (DNI/NIE/PAS)
- Their Spanish address, including postal code and province
- A mobile number and email
- Their own representative's details, if applicable
Section 3: Domicilio a efectos de notificaciones
This is the address where the Spanish authorities will send official correspondence about your registration. In most cases, this is the same as your home address in Section 1 — just repeat the details.
At the bottom of this section there is a consent checkbox for electronic notifications via the Dehú system (Dirección Electrónica Habilitada Única). Ticking this means all official notifications will be sent digitally instead of by post.
Dehú: should you tick this box?
Only tick the Dehú box if you have a valid digital certificate or are registered in the cl@ve system and know how to use them. If you tick it and then can't access your digital notifications, you may miss critical official communications. Most private individuals are better off leaving it unticked and receiving notifications by post.
Note: Certain legal entities and professionals are legally required to use electronic notifications regardless of this checkbox.
Section 4: Situación en España (Your situation in Spain)
This is the most important section. It defines the legal grounds for your residency and determines what supporting documents you need to bring. Read it carefully before ticking anything.
How long you expect to stay in Spain. Can be open-ended — e.g. 'indefinido' or '5 años'.
The date you started living in Spain, in dd/mm/yyyy format.
💡 Use your actual arrival date, not the date you're submitting the form.
The number of family members accompanying you or joining you in Spain. Write 0 if none.
Temporary vs permanent residency — which box to tick
You must tick exactly one residency category. Here's what each one means:
Don't want to deal with the paperwork yourself?
NIEasy handles your NIE, Residencia (EX-18), and Empadronamiento — almost entirely online.
- ✓ NIE or Residencia delivered in days
- ✓ Fixed price — no hidden fees
- ✓ Almost entirely online - you just show up to the appointment
Signatures and date
At the bottom of page 2, you need to fill in the place and date of signing, then sign the form.
- Place and date: Enter the name of the city where you are signing, followed by the day, month (written out in words — e.g. marzo), and year in the fields provided.
- Firma del solicitante: Your own signature in the right-hand box.
- Firma del ciudadano de la Unión: Only required if you are registering as a family member (familiar) of another EU citizen — that EU citizen also needs to sign here.
What to bring on the day
You will submit the EX-18 at your local Oficina de Extranjeros or designated police station. Bring the following — missing any single item can mean being turned away:
Standard document checklist
- Completed EX-18 form — original + copy
- Original valid passport or national identity card (DNI from your home country) + photocopy
- Proof of your legal grounds for residency — see below by category
- Receipt of payment of the applicable fee (Tasa Modelo 790 Código 012) — check the current amount at extranjeros.inclusion.gob.es
- Empadronamiento certificate (padrón municipal) if available — not always required but often asked for
Additional documents by residency category:
- Employed: Employment contract signed by both parties, or official confirmation of registration with Social Security (afiliación a la Seguridad Social).
- Self-employed: Certificate of registration as autónomo with the Agencia Tributaria and/or Social Security.
- No activo (not working): Proof of sufficient economic resources — bank statements, pension letters, or investment income — plus evidence of comprehensive health insurance in Spain (e.g. a private insurance policy certificate).
- Student: Proof of enrollment at a recognized institution, plus health insurance and proof of sufficient resources.
- Family member of EU citizen: The relative's registration certificate, plus documents proving the family relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.).
- Permanent residency: Evidence of five years of continuous legal residence — previous registration certificates, padrón certificates, employment records, or tax returns.
Common mistakes — and how to avoid them
- Lowercase letters: The entire form must be uppercase. A single lowercase letter can get your form rejected at the window.
- Wrong date format: Fecha de nacimiento and Fecha de inicio must be dd/mm/aaaa — not mm/dd/yyyy and not dd-mm-yyyy.
- Leaving NIE blank when you have one: If you already have a NIE from a previous stay or job, you must include it. Leaving it blank when it exists can cause your record to be duplicated.
- Wrong residency category: Ticking "no activo" when you're employed (or vice versa) means you'll be asked for the wrong documents and turned away. Read each option carefully.
- Missing the Tasa payment: You must pay the Tasa (Modelo 790 Código 012) before submitting — either online or at a bank. Without the payment receipt, your application won't be accepted.
- Only bringing originals: You need both the original documents and photocopies of each. Many offices won't make copies for you.
- Outdated form version: Always download the form fresh from the official website. Using an old PDF you saved years ago is a common reason for rejection.
FAQs
Do I need a NIE before filling in the EX-18?
No — the EX-18 is how you get your NIE. You may already have a NIE from a previous stay (e.g. for buying property), in which case you fill in the N.I.E. field in Section 1. If you've never had one, leave it blank and you'll be issued one when your registration is processed.
How long does it take to get the green card?
If you apply in person at the Oficina de Extranjeros, you may receive your certificate of registration on the same day, though this varies by province and how busy the office is. In some cities you'll be given an appointment for a later date. Processing is generally fast — usually the same day or within a week.
Can I use my home country's national ID card instead of my passport?
Yes, for EU citizens a valid national identity card (DNI) from your home country is accepted as the primary ID document in place of a passport. Bring the original and a photocopy.
What if I don't have a Spanish address yet?
You do need a Spanish address to fill in the form. If you haven't found permanent accommodation, you can use a temporary address — a hotel, Airbnb, or a friend's address where you are currently staying. For most residency categories you'll also eventually need to register at your address (Empadronamiento), but this doesn't have to happen before the EX-18.
What's the difference between temporary and permanent residency on the EX-18?
Temporary residency is for your first registration or any time you've been in Spain for less than five continuous years. After five years of continuous legal residence, you qualify for permanent residency (residencia permanente), which has no expiry and doesn't need to be renewed. You apply for permanent residency using a new EX-18 with the permanent residency box ticked — or via the dedicated EX-19 form in some provinces.
I'm a non-EU family member of an EU citizen. Can I use this form?
No — the EX-18 is only for EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals. Non-EU family members of EU citizens must apply using a different form (EX-19 for a residency card as a family member). The EU citizen themselves must register first using the EX-18.
Does NIEasy handle the EX-18?
Yes. NIEasy's Residencia service covers the entire EX-18 process — from filling in the forms to booking the appointment. We send you on your way with your paperwork fully prepared.
Summary
- The EX-18 registers EU/EEA/Swiss citizens in Spain and produces your NIE and green card.
- Fill it in entirely in uppercase, use the correct date format (dd/mm/aaaa), and bring originals plus photocopies.
- Tick the right residency category — no activo if you're not employed in Spain; cuenta ajena if you work for a Spanish employer.
- Pay the Tasa Modelo 790 Código 012 before you arrive — without the receipt, you won't be accepted.
- After five years of continuous legal residence, you qualify for permanent residency — apply using a new EX-18 with the permanent residency box ticked.