# Register as an EU citizen

> How EU, EEA and Swiss citizens staying more than 3 months get the EU registration certificate, which shows their NIE.

- Page: https://autonomo.eus/steps/eu-citizen
- Part: Part A: Right to work
- For: EU, EEA and Swiss citizens
- Last checked: 14 October 2026

> This page explains one route. It is not legal advice. Before you apply, check your case with a lawyer. [Free legal help in Euskadi](https://autonomo.eus/steps/legal-help)

**If you stay in Spain more than 3 months, you register as an EU citizen and get a registration certificate.** It shows your foreigner ID number (*NIE*), which you need for every later step.

## What it is

The EU registration certificate (*certificado de registro de ciudadano de la Unión*). You do not get a TIE card.

## Who it is for

Citizens of the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland who will stay more than 3 months.

## Can you work as an autónomo?

Yes. Working as an autónomo is itself one of the grounds for registering. The other grounds are working as an employee, having enough money and health insurance, studying, or being a family member.

## How to do it

1. **Fill in form EX-18**, the application for the EU citizen registration (*Solicitud de inscripción en el Registro Central de Extranjeros, residencia ciudadano de la UE*). Download it from the [Ministry of Inclusion's forms page](https://www.inclusion.gob.es/web/migraciones/modelos-generales) and sign it.
2. **Fill in the fee form 790 código 012** on the [Policía Nacional fee page](https://sede.policia.gob.es/Tasa790_012/ImpresoRellenar), print it and pay it at a bank. You do not need an account at that bank. Keep the stamped copy.
3. **Book an appointment** (*cita previa*) in the [Government's appointment system](https://icp.administracionelectronica.gob.es/icpplus/index.html). Choose your province, then the procedure "POLICÍA-CERTIFICADO DE REGISTRO DE CIUDADANO DE LA U.E." (EU citizen registration certificate).
4. **Go to the appointment in person** with the signed EX-18, the paid fee form, your valid passport or national ID card, and proof that you meet one of the grounds above.
5. **You get the certificate on the spot.** It shows your name, nationality, address, your NIE and the date you registered.

## Where you apply

Apply in person at the Policía Nacional, within 3 months of arriving. You need an appointment (*cita previa*). [Book an appointment](https://icp.administracionelectronica.gob.es/icpplus/index.html). All police contact details: [book a police appointment](https://autonomo.eus/steps/offices#book-a-police-appointment).

### Álava

**Vitoria-Gasteiz:** the Policía Nacional foreigners' unit (*Brigada Provincial de Extranjería y Fronteras*). The Policía list gives Oñate s/n, phone 945 209 642. Check the address on your appointment confirmation before you go.

### Bizkaia

**Bilbao:** Gordóniz 8.

### Gipuzkoa

You can go to either office:

- **Donostia:** José María Salaberría s/n. Phone 943 449 809.
- **Irún:** Plaza del Ensanche 1. Phone 943 639 533.

## Official sources

- [Policía Nacional: EU registration certificate](https://sede.policia.gob.es/portalCiudadano/_es/tramites_extranjeria_tramite_certificadoregistro_ciudadanoue.php)
- [Ministry of Inclusion: application forms, including EX-18](https://www.inclusion.gob.es/web/migraciones/modelos-generales)
- [Policía Nacional: fee form 790 código 012](https://sede.policia.gob.es/Tasa790_012/ImpresoRellenar)
- [Policía Nacional: offices for foreigners](https://sede.policia.gob.es/portalCiudadano/_es/dependencias_localizador_accesible.php)
- [Basque Government: how to apply for the NIE and TIE](https://www.euskadi.eus/contenidos/informacion/aux_conversacion_english/eu_def/adjuntos/How_to_apply_for_the_NIE_TIE.pdf)
- [Real Decreto 240/2007](https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-2007-4184)

Next step: [Rent a flat](https://autonomo.eus/steps/rent-a-flat.md)

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Free, independent information. Not an official government website or a gestoría. General information, not legal, immigration or tax advice. Confirm current requirements with the authority before you act. Report a mistake: a@halawa.io. Source: Autónomo.eus (https://autonomo.eus).