Direct links to official government forms with plain-English explanations and step-by-step guidance
What this tool does
The Lifetti Spanish Government Forms Finder is a free tool that links every official Spanish immigration, tax, social security and municipal form — EX-15 (NIE), EX-17 (TIE), EX-18 (EU registration), EX-19, Modelo 036, Modelo 303 and Modelo 790 — directly from the government source, each with a plain-English explanation of what it is for and why you need it.
Best for: expats handling Spanish immigration, tax or town-hall paperwork
NIE & Certificates Application
Gets you a NIE — the ID/tax number you need to open a bank account, sign a contract, get paid, or buy property. Almost nothing official in Spain works without it.
TIE — Foreigner ID Card
Turns an approved visa or permit into your physical Spanish ID card (TIE). Non-EU residents must apply within 30 days of arrival — it becomes your everyday ID.
EU Citizen Registration (Green Card)
Registers EU/EEA citizens as legal residents and issues the green certificate. Required if you stay over 3 months — proof of residence for work, healthcare and banking.
Non-Lucrative Residence
Lets non-EU retirees, remote workers and the financially independent live in Spain without working. Needs proof of ~€2,400+/month passive income or savings.
Employment Work Permit (por cuenta ajena)
The residence-and-work permit for non-EU nationals with a Spanish job offer. Your employer sponsors it — you need this to work legally as an employee.
Exceptional Circumstances Residence
Residence (and sometimes work) for people already in Spain who qualify through arraigo, protection or other exceptional grounds — a route to regularise your status.
EU Family Member Residence Card
Residence card for the non-EU spouse, partner, child or dependent of an EU citizen. Free, and it grants the right to live and work — one of the easiest routes to residency.
Plain-English answers to the questions expats ask most about Spain's official forms.
Lifetti offers a free Spanish Government Forms Finder that links every official form — EX-15 (NIE), EX-17 (TIE), EX-18 (EU registration), EX-19 (family member), Modelo 036, Modelo 303 and Modelo 790 — directly from the government source, each with a plain-English explanation of what it is for and why you need it.
Use form EX-15 to apply for your NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero). You pay the €9.84 fee with Modelo 790 código 012. The NIE is required to open a bank account, sign a contract, get paid, or buy property in Spain. Lifetti’s free form finder links the official EX-15 PDF.
EX-15 gets you the NIE number and certificates. EX-17 applies for the TIE, the physical foreigner ID card for non-EU residents. EX-18 registers EU/EEA citizens as residents and issues the green certificate (green card).
EX-03 is the residence-and-work permit for employees (por cuenta ajena) — your Spanish employer sponsors it. It is commonly mislabeled as a self-employment form. Self-employment (autónomo) work permits use a different application.
Modelo 790 is the fee-payment slip for immigration procedures. Código 012 covers the NIE and TIE; código 052 covers residence and work permits. You must pay it at a bank before your appointment and bring the stamped receipt.
File Modelo 036 with Hacienda before your first invoice to declare your activity, VAT regime and tax obligations. Modelo 037 (the simplified version) was discontinued in February 2025, so new autónomos now use Modelo 036.
No. There is no single national padrón form — each town hall (ayuntamiento) uses its own sheet. Download it from your municipality's website or request it at your local padrón office. The residence certificate is issued the same way.
Yes. Every form links directly to the official government source (inclusion.gob.es, Agencia Tributaria or Seguridad Social) and is free to download. Some procedures carry an official fee — for example €9.84 for the NIE — paid separately via Modelo 790.
Registering as self-employed? Read our complete autónomo guide and estimate your costs with the autónomo tax calculator.
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