The full guide
Why gather documents before you leave
Spanish paperwork depends on foreign documents, and getting them from abroad is slow. Ordering a birth certificate or criminal record while you’re still at home takes days; doing it from Spain can take weeks and courier fees. A complete folder also means fewer rejected applications.
The core list
| Document | Used for | Apostille? |
|---|---|---|
| Passport | Everything | No |
| Birth certificate | Visas, family residency, citizenship | Usually yes |
| Marriage or partnership certificate | Family visas, spouse residency | Usually yes |
| Divorce decree | Proving marital status, remarrying | Usually yes |
| Criminal record check | Most visas and citizenship | Usually yes |
| Degree certificates | Qualification recognition, some visas | Often yes |
| Driving record | Exchanging your licence | Depends on the office |
| Medical records | GP registration, prescriptions | No |
| School reports | Enrolling children | Sometimes, for recognition |
| Pet passport or health certificate | Travelling with pets | No |
Which documents need an apostille and translation depends on the procedure. See getting documents translated and apostilled.
Order in the right sequence
Start with documents that never expire, like degree certificates. Then order civil certificates such as birth and marriage. Leave criminal record checks and medical certificates until last, because they’re usually only accepted if they were issued in the last three months.
Money and income evidence
Visas such as the non-lucrative visa and digital nomad visa need proof of income or savings. Download a year of bank statements, recent payslips or client invoices, pension award letters and your last two tax returns. Some banks charge for stamped statements, so ask what format your consulate accepts.
Health records
Ask your doctor for a summary of your medical history and a list of current medicines with their generic names. Brand names differ between countries, and Spanish GPs will need the active ingredient. For children, bring the full vaccination record so the Spanish schedule can be matched.
Storing everything safely
Keep originals in one waterproof folder in your hand luggage, never in shipped boxes. Scan every page, including the backs of documents with apostilles, and store encrypted copies in the cloud. Name files clearly, such as “2026-10 Birth certificate Ana apostille.pdf”, so you can find them in a hurry at an appointment.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need originals or copies?
Offices usually want to see the original and keep a photocopy. Bring both to every appointment.
What if a document is in English?
Spanish offices normally need a sworn translation into Spanish, even for documents in English.
What should I do first after arriving?
Register on the padrón, then follow Spain’s main moving checklist.
