Moving to Spain from the UK: what documents should you prepare?

Spain remains one of the most popular destinations for British people moving abroad. Warm weather, good transport links, established expat communities and a relaxed lifestyle all make Spain an attractive option.

However, moving to Spain from the UK involves more than choosing a region and booking flights. British citizens usually need to consider visa rules, residency paperwork, healthcare, tax, housing, banking and official documents.

Preparing your paperwork early can help make the relocation process smoother and reduce the risk of delays.

Check your passport first

Before starting any visa or residency process, check your UK passport.

Make sure:

• your passport is valid
• it has enough blank pages
• the name matches your other documents
• you have time to renew it if needed
• you have digital and paper copies

If your passport is close to expiry, it may be better to renew it before beginning your move.

Understand visa and residency requirements

British citizens can usually visit Spain for short stays without a visa, but moving there long term is different. If you plan to live, work, retire or study in Spain, you may need a visa or residence permission depending on your situation.

Common routes may include:

• work visa
• non-lucrative visa
• student visa
• family-related residence route
• digital nomad visa
• residency based on other qualifying circumstances

Each route has its own requirements, so it is important to check the latest rules before applying.

Documents often requested may include:

• passport
• application form
• passport photos
• proof of income
• bank statements
• private health insurance
• criminal record certificate
• medical certificate
• proof of accommodation
• marriage certificate, if applying with a spouse
• birth certificates for children

Some documents may need to be translated into Spanish and legalised before submission.

Birth, marriage and family documents

Civil status documents are commonly requested when moving abroad, especially if you are applying with family members, registering with local authorities or dealing with schools.

You may need:

• birth certificate
• marriage certificate
• civil partnership certificate
• divorce documents
• children’s birth certificates
• adoption documents
• deed poll or change of name documents

It is sensible to order official copies before leaving the UK if your certificates are old, damaged or missing.

Criminal record certificate

For some Spanish visa or residency applications, applicants may be asked to provide evidence of their criminal record status.

This may involve a UK police certificate or criminal record check, depending on the route and the authority requesting it.

Before applying, check:

• which type of certificate is required
• how recent it must be
• whether it needs an apostille
• whether it must be translated into Spanish
• whether the translation must be sworn or certified

Because criminal record documents can be time-sensitive, it is important not to order them too early unless you know the validity period required.

Medical certificate and health insurance

Some Spanish visa routes may require a medical certificate confirming that you do not have certain serious public health conditions. Private health insurance may also be required, depending on your visa type.

You may need to prepare:

• medical certificate
• vaccination records
• prescription information
• health insurance policy
• proof of private medical cover
• European or UK healthcare-related documents, where relevant

Make sure any medical certificate follows the wording or format required by the Spanish authorities.

Proof of income and financial documents

Spain may require evidence that you can support yourself financially, especially if you are applying for a retirement, non-working or family route.

Useful financial documents include:

• bank statements
• pension statements
• employment contract
• payslips
• tax returns
• accountant letter
• proof of savings
• investment statements
• rental income evidence

Make sure financial documents show your name clearly and match the requirements of the application route.

Employment and professional documents

If you are moving to Spain for work, your employer or Spanish authorities may request evidence of your qualifications and experience.

Documents may include:

• employment contract
• job offer letter
• CV
• employer references
• degree certificate
• professional qualification certificates
• training certificates
• professional membership records

Some qualifications may need additional recognition or registration before you can work in a regulated profession.

Documents for children and schools

If you are moving to Spain with children, schools may ask for records from the UK.

Useful documents include:

• child’s birth certificate
• passport
• previous school reports
• vaccination records
• medical records
• special educational needs documents, if relevant
• parental responsibility documents, if relevant
• consent letter from the other parent, if applicable

It is best to contact schools before moving to confirm their exact requirements.

Housing documents

Whether you are renting or buying property in Spain, you may need paperwork to prove your identity, finances and address history.

Documents may include:

• passport
• proof of income
• bank statements
• employment or pension evidence
• rental references
• UK proof of address
• property purchase documents
• mortgage documents, if applicable

Keep copies of tenancy agreements, purchase contracts and utility documents once you arrive.

Banking and tax documents

Opening a bank account, registering for services and dealing with tax matters may require additional paperwork.

Prepare:

• passport
• proof of address
• tax records
• National Insurance number records
• HMRC correspondence
• pension documents
• employment or income evidence
• proof of Spanish address, once available

You may also need to consider whether you remain tax resident in the UK, become tax resident in Spain, or have obligations in both countries.

Driving documents

If you plan to drive in Spain, check the rules for UK licence holders before moving.

You may need:

• UK driving licence
• international driving permit, depending on circumstances
• vehicle registration documents
• car insurance papers
• no-claims bonus evidence
• MOT history, if taking a UK vehicle
• vehicle import documents, if applicable

Driving and vehicle rules can change, so always check current guidance before relying on older information.

Do UK documents need an apostille for Spain?

Spain is a country where UK documents may sometimes need an apostille before they are accepted by official bodies. An apostille confirms the authenticity of a UK public document for use abroad.

Documents that may need an apostille include:

• birth certificates
• marriage certificates
• criminal record certificates
• degree certificates
• medical certificates
• powers of attorney
• court documents

Not every document will need one, so check the requirements of the Spanish consulate, government office, employer, school or other organisation requesting the paperwork.

Do documents need to be translated into Spanish?

Many UK documents may need to be translated into Spanish before they are accepted. Some authorities may require a sworn translation rather than a simple translation.

Documents often translated include:

• birth certificates
• marriage certificates
• criminal record certificates
• medical certificates
• academic documents
• legal documents
• financial records

Always confirm whether the translation must be completed by a specific type of translator.

Final checklist before moving to Spain

Before relocating, organise:

• valid passport
• visa or residency application documents
• birth and marriage certificates
• criminal record certificate, if required
• medical certificate, if required
• health insurance documents
• proof of income
• bank statements
• tax records
• employment documents
• qualification certificates
• school records for children
• housing documents
• driving documents
• apostilles, where required
• certified or sworn translations, where required

Final thoughts

Moving to Spain from the UK can be an exciting step, but the paperwork should not be left until the last minute. Visa applications, family documents, criminal record checks, medical certificates and translations can all take time to arrange.

By preparing your documents early, checking whether apostilles are needed and confirming translation requirements, you can reduce delays and make the move to Spain much smoother.