How to obtain the CUE in Spain?

You already have the provisional NIE and want to apply for residence in Spain for an indefinite period. Here you will find all the details necessary to apply for the CUE in Spain, known as the "Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la UE" (EU Citizen Registration Certificate).

Who must submit a CUE application in Spain?

Residents of a Member State of the European Union, of another State party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, or of Switzerland are required to apply for the CUE. They must apply for registration in the Registro Central de Extranjeros (Central Register of Foreigners) whenever they remain in Spanish territory for more than three months.

Residents of a Member State of the European Union, of another State party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, or of Switzerland are required to apply for the CUE. They must apply for registration in the Registro Central de Extranjeros whenever they remain in Spanish territory for more than three months.

How can I get an appointment for the CUE or green NIE?

To obtain the Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión (CUE) in Spain, it is necessary to request a prior appointment on the Public Administration website.

What requirements must be met to obtain the "Green NIE" or CUE in Spain?

To hold the "Certificado de registro de ciudadano de la Unión" or CUE in Spain, one of the following conditions must be met:

• Be employed as an employee in Spain or be self-employed in Spain, or have sufficient financial resources for oneself and one's family members, so as to avoid becoming a burden on the social assistance system during the stay in Spain. 
• In addition, applicants must present health insurance, either private or public, taken out in Spain or in another country, that provides coverage in Spain. Co-payment policies are not accepted.

In all cases, the personal and family situation of the applicant will be taken into account when assessing financial capacity. Taking into account the personal and family situation of the interested party, holding resources exceeding the amount established each year by the Ley de Presupuestos Generales del Estado (General State Budget Law) to generate the right to receive a non-contributory benefit will be considered sufficient accreditation of this requirement.
Number of family members in the household unit and Minimum annual value in euros and Minimum monthly value in euros (in the case of periodic income)

1. 5538.40 and 461.53 
2. 9415.28 and 784.61
3. 13292.16 and 1107.68 
4. 17169.04 and 1430.75 
5. Each new member receives a total of €3876.88 and a total of €323.07.

• Be a student and be enrolled in a public or private establishment recognized or funded by the education administration in order to pursue studies or vocational training.
• In addition, hold public or private health insurance taken out in Spain or another country that provides full coverage; policies taken out under the co-payment scheme are not accepted; and a declaration of responsibility stating that sufficient resources are held for oneself and family members, so as not to become a burden on social assistance in Spain during the period of residence.

Be a national of a Member State and be a family member of a Union citizen who meets one of the conditions mentioned above. 

The family could be:

In the case of family members of the student, the children of the student and of the spouse or registered partner who are dependents, or the spouse or registered domestic partner.

In other situations, the spouse or registered domestic partner, their direct descendants and those of their spouse or partner under 21 years of age or incapacitated or over that age who are dependents, and their direct ascendants or those of their spouse or registered partner who are dependents.

What documents must I submit to obtain the CUE (green NIE) in Spain?

• The application must be submitted in duplicate on the official form (EX-18) and must be completed in full and signed by the Union citizen. The printable form can be downloaded from the following address: http://extranjeros.mitramiss.gob.es/es/ModelosSolicitudes/Mod_sobcitudes2/index.html.
• Copy of a valid passport. Only of the pages containing relevant information (biographical data, stamps), the travel document, the identity card, or the identity document if the applicant is a citizen of the Union. The original document must be presented at the time the application is submitted.
• Updated certificate of empadronamiento (municipal registration) for the whole family (collective) issued less than three months ago.
• Present proof of payment of the Modelo 790 fee with Code 012 to complete the procedure.

Depending on one of the following:

Do I need documentation if I work as an employee?

If you work as an employee, you must present a resolution recognizing registration with Social Security, a notice of registration, or consent to verify the data in the files of the Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social, together with an employment contract of at least three months.

In the case of dismissed workers, the A1 document must be presented together with proof of unemployment benefit or private health insurance.

Do I need documentation if I am self-employed?

If you work as a self-employed person (autónomo), you need to present a resolution recognizing registration with a professional mutual insurance fund (for doctors, lawyers, etc.) and a commitment to remain registered as self-employed for at least 3 months.

What should I do if I do not work in Spain?

If you do not work in Spain when applying for the CUE, you must provide the following:

• Proof that you hold health insurance taken out in Spain, either public or private, that provides coverage in Spain during your stay equivalent to that provided by the national health system. Co-payment policies are not accepted.
• Proof of the existence of adequate resources for yourself and your loved ones during your stay in Spain. This can be evidenced using any legally accepted means of proof, such as property titles, certified checks, documentation justifying capital income, or credit cards with bank certification of the available amount.
• If a current account opened at a Spanish financial institution is used to justify economic means, a certificate issued by the institution must be presented, stamped and up to date, indicating the current balance and the average balance of the last six months. It is also valid to present a certificate indicating the origin and periodicity of income. It is essential to know that documents downloaded from the Internet will not be valid.

For bank certifications from other states to have effect in the procedure, they must be notarially legalized and duly translated.