Overview (What is Form EX-18?)
#EX-18 registers the EU citizen in Spain’s Central Register of Foreign Nationals (Registro Central de Extranjeros). It is not a TIE application and is not the non-EU family-member card. The certificate records the holder’s name, nationality, Spanish address, NIE and registration date.
Context and workflow
#Book a cita previa and attend personally at the provincial Foreigners Office or designated police station. Register on the municipal padrón first and bring originals plus copies required for the residence basis.
Who uses it
Citizens of an EU Member State, another EEA state, or Switzerland who intend to live in Spain for more than 3 months. Non-EU relatives use the EU-family residence-card procedure (normally EX-19), not EX-18.
When it is used
- Initial EU/EEA/Swiss citizen registration for residence over 3 months
- Permanent EU citizen registration certificate after qualifying continuous legal residence
- Change of relevant registered circumstances where the authority directs use of EX-18
What it asks for (What does Form EX-18 ask for?)
#- Applicant identity, nationality, birth and passport/EU ID details
- NIE if already assigned
- Address in Spain and contact/notification details
- Initial or permanent registration request
- Residence basis: employed, self-employed, sufficient resources/insurance, student, or qualifying family member
- Applicant signature and notification consent
What you need (What do you need for Form EX-18?)
#- Two completed and signed copies of current EX-18
- Valid passport or EU national identity card; if expired, copy plus renewal application
- Padrón/empadronamiento evidence required by the local office
- Evidence for the selected residence basis
- Modelo 790 Código 012 payment receipt for the EU registration certificate
- Originals and copies as required by the appointment office
- No passport photographs for the paper EU registration certificate unless the office specifically requests something else
Evidence checklist
#- EX-18 in duplicate
- Valid EU ID/passport
- Padrón evidence
- Residence-basis documents
- Paid Modelo 790-012 receipt
- Originals and copies
Checklist (What is the Form EX-18 checklist?)
#- Register your Spanish address on the municipal padrón
- Book the correct EU citizen registration cita previa
- Download the official current EX-18 and complete it in duplicate
- Choose and document the correct residence basis
- Generate and pay Modelo 790 Código 012 under the EU registration-certificate item
- Attend personally within 3 months of entering Spain with originals and copies
- Review the certificate before leaving the appointment
Fee
#| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| EU citizen registration certificateGenerate Modelo 790 Código 012 and select the EU resident registration certificate item; pay before issuance. | Current legally established amount |
Fee waiver: Check the Police payment form for the current amount and any applicable exemption.
The generated official payment form supplies the current amount.
Where to file
#Attend personally by appointment at the Foreigners Office for your province of residence or, where applicable, the designated police station.
Submit application
Bring EX-18 in duplicate, originals/copies, residence-basis evidence and paid Tasa 012 receipt.
File within 3 months after entering Spain. Office assignments and appointment categories vary locally.
Form sections (What sections does Form EX-18 have?)
#Applicant details
Identity, nationality, passport/EU ID, NIE and Spanish address.
Type of registration
Initial or permanent residence certificate and reason for request.
Residence basis
Employed, self-employed, resources/insurance, student or qualifying family basis.
Notification and signature
Representative/notification information, place, date and applicant signature.
Common mistakes (What mistakes are common with Form EX-18?)
#- Using EX-18 for a non-EU family member instead of the applicable EX-19 route
- Applying for a TIE/photo card instead of the EU citizen registration certificate
- Missing the 3-month registration deadline
- Bringing health insurance/resources evidence when it does not meet the chosen residence basis
- Arriving without padrón evidence, paid Tasa 012 receipt, originals or required copies
Examples (What are examples for Form EX-18?)
#- An EU employee brings the work contract or employer declaration and Social Security evidence.
- A self-employed EU citizen provides activity registration and Social Security evidence.
- A self-supporting applicant provides sufficient resources and comprehensive health insurance.
- An EU student provides enrolment, comprehensive insurance and a sufficient-resources declaration/evidence.
Common misconceptions (What misconceptions surround Form EX-18?)
#- EX-18 is for the EU/EEA/Swiss citizen, not a non-EU spouse’s residence card.
- The certificate is not a biometric TIE and normally has no photograph.
- An NIE number alone is not the same as completing EU citizen residence registration.
- Stays of 3 months or less generally do not require this registration.
- The permanent certificate after 5 years is different from initial registration even though EX-18 is used.
- Paying the EX-18 filing fee does not guarantee acceptance — the fee is generally non-refundable even when the form is rejected for technical errors.
In-depth guidance
#Choose the correct residence basis
Do not submit every possible category. Select the basis that actually applies and make the evidence coherent: employment/Social Security, self-employment registration, resources plus comprehensive insurance, student enrolment/insurance/resources, or family link to a qualifying EU citizen.
Initial versus permanent certificate
Initial registration is required for residence over 3 months. After 5 years of continuous legal residence—or another qualifying permanent-residence scenario—EX-18 can also request the permanent EU citizen certificate with additional evidence.
EX-18 appointment self-audit
#- EU/EEA/Swiss citizen applicant
- Appointment within 3 months of entry
- Padrón completed
- Correct EX-18 version printed twice and signed
- Valid passport/EU ID plus originals/copies
- Correct residence basis selected and evidenced
- Modelo 790-012 paid under the right item
- Non-EU family member not incorrectly using EX-18
Verification
#Reviewed against the official EX-18 form, Ministry HI 101 procedure, Spanish General Administration residence-registration page and Police Tasa 790-012 portal on 23 July 2026.