Are you an Au Pair in Spain?
If you have come to Spain as an Au Pair and you are planning to stay for more than 3 months, there is an important step you need to take to register correctly as a resident.
📌 What do you need to do?
If you are a citizen of the European Union or Switzerland, you must apply for the:
Certificate of Registration of an EU Citizen – Form EX-18
This certificate confirms your registration as a resident in Spain and includes your NIE (Foreigner Identity Number).
👉 The NIE and residency are not exactly the same thing: the NIE is your identification number as a foreign national, while the EX-18 certificate confirms your registration as an EU resident in Spain.
⏰ When do you need to do it?
If you are going to stay in Spain for more than 3 months, you must register within 3 months of your date of entry into Spain.
📄 What do you need?
Among other things, you will need:
✅ A valid passport or national identity card.
✅ Completed EX-18 form.
✅ Documentation proving that you meet the conditions to reside in Spain for more than 3 months. You will need the agreement signed between you, Au Pair and your host family.
✅ Proof of payment of Fee 790, Code 012.
✅ Registration with your local municipality (Padrón / Empadronamiento).
📍 Where do you apply?
Registration is carried out at the relevant Foreigners’ Office (Oficina de Extranjería) or, depending on the applicable procedure, at the corresponding Police Station (Comisaría de Policía).
You will normally need to make an appointment in advance.
❓ What if I am staying for 3 months or less?
If your stay in Spain is 3 months or less, as an EU citizen you generally do not need to register as a resident. You simply need to have a valid passport or national identity card.
🔎 OFFICIAL INFORMATION
Before starting the process, always check the latest information from the Spanish Ministry of the Interior:
🇪🇺 EU Citizens
Spanish Ministry of the Interior – EU Citizens
📄 Certificate of Registration & EX-18 Form
Spanish Ministry of the Interior – Certificate of Registration
🪪 Foreigner Identity Number (NIE)
Spanish Ministry of the Interior – NIE
✨ Coming to Spain as an Au Pair? Save this post and take care of your paperwork on time!
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