In accordance with RD 178/2003, of 14 February, relating to entry and residence in Spain, nationals of EU Member States and European Economic Area countries are no longer required to apply for a residence permit. 

Beneficiaries
Nationals of EU Member States (Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Holland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, The United Kingdom and Sweden),and European Economic Area countries (norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein), as well as of Switzerland, have the right to enter and remain  in Spain.

Nationals of the above countries, who are self-employed, employed, students or pensioners, and who have paid contributions in Spain, and their relatives (spouses, children and other family) may reside in Spain, providing these are citizens of the above-mentioned countries, without having to apply for a residence permit.

In order to enter Spain, nationals of the above countries must produce a valid passport or identity card that includes the holder's nationality. 

Obligations

The above citizens will be subject to the same obligations as Spanish nationals in relation to work, tax and national insurance, etc. As part of their obligations under Spanish law the following steps must be taken:

• Registering with their local council in Spain,
• Applying for a Foreigners' Identification Number (NIE), at their local police station (Comissaria de Policia).     

Documentation

Documents required for applying for a NIE (Foreigners' Identification Number):

1. Application form (official form Ex-16, free of charge). Applications must be submitted in person or by a third party representative with written authorisation.
2. Two recent passport-sized photographs, which must be in colour, unlaminated and on a white background (photocopies are not accepted).
3. Valid passport, registration certificate or travel document (original and two copies).
4. Where the applicant has previously applied for a residence permit in Spain, the original and a copy of the application form.
5. The original and a copy of the documentation stating that:
   • The applicant is not living illegally in Spain.
   • documentary proof of the reasons for the application, i.e. the existence of economic, professional or other interests in Spain;     

Nationals of the aforementioned Member States are not required to apply for an "EU residence permit" but may do so, if their stay superior exceeds 3 months (or more than 6 months according to their nationality). Those wishing to apply for a "EU residence permit" must submit their application to the Oficina d'Estrangers a Espanya (Spanish Foreigners Office) of the province where they intend to live or, in the absence thereof, to their provincial police station (Comissaria Provincial de Policia). 

For further details about the application procedure, please visit the website of the Ministry of Employment & Social Affairs : www.mtas.es

RESIDENCE AND WORK PERMIT FOR EU CITIZEN OF THE NEW ADHESION COUNTRIES:

Citizens from the new adhesion countries of the European Union

Since the 1st May 2004 the following countries are member of the European Union:

• Cyprus
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Esthonia
• Hungary
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Malta
• Poland
• Czech Republic   

However, the regime of free entrance of citizens and workers of the Royal Decree 178/2003, of 14 February is only aplied to Cyprus and Malta, because for the rest of new adhesion countries, Spain has established a period of 2 years (until the 1st of May 2006) in wich the regime for non-EU citizens will be aplied.

Once this period is finished, the regime for European workers will be aplied.


Addresses of the competent authorities in Catalonia

The official NIE application form is available free of charge from: The Oficina d'Estrangers  at the following websites: www.mir.es, www.mtas.es your local police station.

• Applicants residing in Barcelona must submit their applications to:
  The Barceloneta police station (Comissaria)
  Pg. Joan de Borbó, 32
  BARCELONA
  
• Applicants living elsewhere in Catalonia must submit their applications to their local police station.
  
• Applicants who are not resident in Spain must submit their NIE applicantions to the Consulate of Spain in their country of origin.     

Applications must be submitted IN PERSON or by a THIRD PARTY REPRESENTATIVE with written authorisation.

• Residence permit applications can be submitted on any working day from Monday to Friday between 9:00h a 18:00h, (no appointment required).
  
  Oficina d'Estrangers
  Marqués de l'Argentera, 4, porta 1
  08003 BARCELONA
  Tf. 93 482 05 00 / 44
  Fax : 93 482 03 68
  E-mail: infoext@oue.barcelona.map.es     

Royal Decree 178/2003, of 14 February, relating to the entry and residence of nationals of EU Member States and European Economic Area countries in Spain.