Moving to Fuerteventura with an EU Passport

If you are lucky enough to have a passport of an EU country, then moving to Fuerteventura is much easier. If you only hold a British passport, please see this article.

First off, you can simply come over and start the process here. You do not need a visa, indeed there is no visa available for you!

You have 3 months from your arrival in Spain to register.

Your first step is to apply for your Certificado de Empadronamiento at your local Ayuntamiento. For this you need the address of your residence. If you are renting then the contract must be for a minimum of 6 months.

If you are already registered on the Padrón your certificate must not be older than 3 months.

Next, you will need to make an appointment at the Immigration Office (Extranjería local) to apply for Certificate of Registration (Certificado de Registro de Cuidadano de La EU). The main office is in the Police Station in Puerto del Rosario, but you can also go to the Police Station in Gran Tarajal.

When applying for your residencia you will also automatically get an NIE number (non-national identification number), so it is not necessary to apply for that separately, nor to have it in advance.

Before your appointment you will need to fill out, and pay for, modelo 790 code 012 (Certificado de registro de residente comunitario). You can pay online or print the form and take it to any bank, making sure you go before 11.00am and get them to stamp the form as having been paid, and get a receipt for proof of payment. You will need to take the receipt with you to your appointment.

The documents you will need depend on your circumstances.

Everybody will require the originals and copies of:

• Modelo EX18 filled in (leaving the NIE field empty if you are applying for the first time).
• receipted modelo 790 code 012
• a valid passport or identity document or, if it has expired, a copy of your passport or identity document and of the renewal application

If you will be working as an employee you will also need your work contract, confirmation of engagement from the employer or employers Tax ID and Social Security number. Your contract of employment must be for a minimum of 30 hours a week and for at least 3 months.

If you are to be self-employed then you must provide proof that you are engaged in self-employed work. You will need to show at least the first month of Autónomo fees paid before registering with the National Police. You will also need proof that you are registered with the relevant social security scheme or private health insurance.

Students, including those enrolled in vocational training courses, must provide documentary evidence of compliance with the following conditions:

• You must be enrolled at a private or public establishment, accredited or financed by the competent education authority.
• You must have public or private health insurance, contracted either in Spain or in another country, that provides comprehensive coverage in Spain. However, this condition is deemed to be fulfilled if you have a European Health Insurance Card that is valid for the entire period of residence and entitles you to healthcare, covering only necessary treatments.

If you are not working then you must provide documentary evidence of compliance with the following two conditions:

• You must have proof of private health insurance, contracted either in Spain or in another country, that provides coverage in Spain that is equivalent to that provided by the national healthcare system (ie no exemptions and no excess). Or proof of eligibility for health care in Spain, ie S1 that is pre-registered.
• You must have sufficient finances for yourself and your family members during your period of residence. This can either be income or savings. The amount required is based on IPREM As at 2024 it currently stands at €600 per month for income, or €7200 in savings.

Once your application has been approved you will receive a small green card which confirms your name, address, nationality, date of registration and NIE number.

Resources

• Registering your residence