Whether from the EU or not, everyone living in Barcelona for longer than three months is required by law to register with the local town council. This is called empadronamiento and is an easy process to carry out.
EU Citizens
Students who will be in Spain for more than three months are required to obtain a Certificado de registro de residente comunitario (Certificate of registration of a resident of the European Community) within one month upon arrival to Barcelona. For this, you need to request an appointment and go personally to the corresponding police station. The documentation you are required to provide is:
- Passport or national ID document + copy
- Completed EX-16 application form + copy
- Letter of acceptance from Harbour.Space
Important: At all times, everyone is required to carry identification on them. In the case of EU citizens, this means your passport or national ID card, as well as your Certificate of Registration.
In order to be able to do an internship in Spain, you must have a NIE number (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) which is included in the Certificado de Registro de Residente Comunitario.
Non-EU Citizens
If your stay is for longer than 180 days, you need a D student visa. Within a month upon arriving in Barcelona, you are required to apply for a Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (Identity Card for Foreigners, commonly known as Student Residence Card), which is valid for one year and is renewable. The documentation that you will be asked to provide is:
- Completed application form + copy
- Passport (with visa) + copy
- Three colour passport-sized photos
- Document supporting reason for application (Harbour.Space degree registration document)
- Proof of financial means
- Certificate of Empadronamiento (civil registry)
- Payment of fees
Once the student permit has been granted, you will need to apply for the new residence card. For this, you need to request an appointment and go personally to the corresponding Police Station to get your fingerprints taken. It can take up to 1 month to receive the card. For this appointment, you will need to bring:
- 1) Application form EX-17.
- 2) Your original passport and a copy of the first page.
- 3) The resolution granting your permit.
- 4) 790 012 fee form paid.
- 5) 3 recent passport-sized photographs.
Students need to renew their Student Card each year. This cannot be done more than 60 days before the expiration date or later than one month before your ID card expires. The required documentation is similar to that required for the initial application, but the letter from Harbour.Space should include information regarding your good standing at school. For further information, consult the Spanish Ministerio del Interior website.