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Your Spanish digital nomad residence was approved: the next steps

Tax and Social Security registration, municipal registration, fingerprints and the TIE. Order matters, and self-employed registration cannot wait.

Nomad Hub editorial team · Editorial update: 10 October 2026

A favourable decision is not the end of the process

The teleworker authorisation lets you live and work in Spain, but it comes with immediate obligations. If it was granted to you as an independent professional, you signed a commitment to register with the Special Scheme for Self-Employed Workers (RETA) once authorised and before starting work in Spain. The UGE is explicit: if a later review finds you did not register, the authorisation can be revoked, along with those of your family members.

Registration has two parts: the census declaration with the tax agency (form 036 or 037, with your activity and its code) and RETA registration. In the case we use as a reference, the law firm recommended doing it within the first month after notification, because the UGE was being strict about starting activity. The practical obstacle is identification: without a TIE, Cl@ve or a digital certificate is hard to get. The route the UGE itself suggests is to take your decision to an Entrepreneur Service Point (PAE), which files both registrations through the CIRCE system and can do it on your behalf without a certificate. A gestoría can also do it with your authorisation.

Municipal registration and digital certificate

Municipal registration (empadronamiento) proves your address and is required for the fingerprint appointment, issued no more than three months earlier. Before signing, check that your lease or accommodation lets you register. Then get your electronic identification: the FNMT personal certificate or Cl@ve registration. You will need them to file taxes, pay contributions and renew.

Fingerprints and the foreigner identity card

Once authorised, book the fingerprint and TIE appointment at the police station for your address, within the deadline stated in your decision. In the reference case they were asked for: the signed TIE application form, a valid original passport, a passport-size photo on a white background, the favourable decision, the paid 012 fee and a recent registration certificate. To collect the card you bring the fingerprint receipt and your passport.

Policía Nacional · Extranjería(partial access)

Health card and renewal

With municipal and Social Security registration you can request a health card from your autonomous community. Think about renewal from day one: the authority will check that you met tax obligations, paid contributions and kept up the required invoicing. Keep invoices, statements and contribution receipts month by month. If you want to delegate registration or quarterly taxes, tax advisers and gestorías explains how to choose someone to help.

Take this next step

Tax and RETA registration within the first month after the decision.
Municipal registration with a lease that allows it.
Fingerprint appointment with form, photo, fee, decision and recent registration.
Sustained invoicing and contributions up to date for renewal.

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