EU / EEA / SWISS CITIZENS

Short Term Stays (less than 3 months)

Stays for less than 3 months in Catalonia of a citizen from an EU Member State or another State from the EEA Agreement, whatever its purpose, will only require to have a passport or a valid identity document.

This also applies to family members of citizens of an EU Member State or other States from the EEA Agreement, who are not nationals of one of these States, who hold a valid passport and have met the entry requirements set out in Article 4 of the RD 240/2007.

If the stay lasts more than 3 months, they must apply for the certificate for EU nationals (NIE) at the police station in the province of residence. The Staff Mobility Office will inform you about how to obtain this certificate.

Long Term Stays (more than 3 months)

Citizens of an EU Member State or another State party to the EEA Agreement who are planning to reside in Catalonia for a period exceeding 3 months are required to apply for registration in the Central Register of Foreigners after payment of a fee. This certificate is valid for 5 years.

Within 3 months from the date of entry in Spain, they should complete the formalities for obtaining this certificate by addressing the Foreigners’ Office of the province where they establish their residence or, alternatively, in the local Police Station where they are resident.

These citizens are subject to the same obligations as Spanish citizens regarding work activities, payment of taxes and social security, etc., and they must be registered (empadronamiento) at their place of residence.

Accompanying Family

Family members who wish to stay less than 3 months and do not have the nationality of one of the Member States of the European Union or another State party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area must enter with a valid and current passport.

They will also be required to have the corresponding entry visa when so established by Regulation (EC) 539/2001, of March 15, which sets out the list of third countries whose nationals are subject to the visa requirement to cross the external borders and the list of third countries whose nationals are exempt from that obligation. The issuance of these visas will be free of charge, and their processing will be preferential when accompanying or meeting a Union citizen.

IMPORTANT:

However, possession of a valid and current residence card for a family member of a Union citizen, issued by another State party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, will exempt said family members from the obligation to obtain an entry visa. Upon presentation of this card, the entry or exit stamp will not be required to be affixed to the passport.

For periods exceeding 3 months, family members must apply for and obtain a family card of a Union citizen. The application must be submitted within 3 months from the date of entry into the country, at the police station of the residence area. In any case, a receipt for the card will be delivered instantly, which will be enough to prove their legal residence until the delivery of the card.

These family members are allowed to work.

You are always welcome to contact the International Welcome Centre at mobilitat.pdi@upc.edu if you have any questions on these issues.