Moving to Spain from France: EU Citizens Guide 2026
As an EU citizen, you already have the right to live and work in Spain. No visa applications, no income proof, no waiting. But theres still paperwork, and getting it wrong can cause headaches. Heres what French residents need to know.
Quick Facts for French Citizens
No. EU free movement
2 years residency
Allowed. Keep French passport
Required within 90 days
The EU Advantage
French citizens can move to Spain tomorrow and stay forever. Pack your bags, rent an apartment, start a job. The Schengen agreement means no border checks, and EU free movement gives you automatic residence rights.
But “no visa required” doesnt mean “no paperwork required.” Spain tracks EU residents through a registration system, and skipping it creates problems down the line: difficulty opening bank accounts, issues with healthcare, complications when buying property.
Three things French citizens need to handle:
- EU Certificate registration within 90 days of arrival (the “green NIE”)
- Town hall registration (empadronamiento) for accessing local services
- Tax residence determination once youve been here 183 days
Registration Process for EU Citizens
Step 1: Empadronamiento (Town Hall Registration)
Do this first, ideally within your first week. Visit your local town hall (Ayuntamiento) with your passport and proof of address (rental contract or property deed). Youll receive a certificate confirming your registration.
This document is required for almost everything else: opening bank accounts, registering for healthcare, signing up for utilities, enrolling children in school.
Step 2: EU Certificate (Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión)
Within 90 days of arrival, register at the Foreigners Office (Oficina de Extranjería) or National Police station with foreigner services. Youll receive a green A4 paper with your NIE number.
What you need:
- EX-18 form completed
- French passport or ID card (original plus copy)
- Proof of one of these: employment in Spain, self-employment, sufficient resources to support yourself, student enrollment
- Empadronamiento certificate
- Fee payment (approximately €12)
The “sufficient resources” requirement for non-workers isnt strictly defined. In practice, showing health insurance and some savings usually suffices. Spain rarely rejects EU citizens.
Step 3: Healthcare Registration
Bring your French European Health Insurance Card (CEAM) for initial coverage. Within a few months, register for Spanish public healthcare through your local health center (Centro de Salud). Requirements vary by region.
If youre employed in Spain, healthcare comes through your Social Security contributions. If self-employed or not working, youll either need the regional convenio especial (around €60/month) or private insurance.
Tax Considerations for French Citizens
Once you spend 183+ days in Spain or establish your main economic base here, you become Spanish tax resident. Unlike Americans, French citizens dont owe tax to France simply for being French, so youll only deal with one tax system.
Points to consider:
- French property: Rental income remains declarable in France, but the Franco-Spanish tax treaty prevents double taxation.
- French pensions: Private pensions are typically taxed only in Spain. Government pensions (civil service) remain French-taxable.
- Assurance vie: These French insurance products get complex treatment in Spain. Get specific advice if you hold one.
- Wealth tax: Spain has regional wealth taxes. Frances IFI only applies to French property once youre non-resident.
The Beckham Law special tax regime is theoretically available to French citizens who havent been Spanish tax residents in the previous 5 years, though EU citizens less commonly use it.
The 2-Year Citizenship Path
French citizens benefit from a bilateral agreement allowing Spanish citizenship after just 2 years of legal residence, compared to 10 years for most nationalities.
Even better: Spain allows dual citizenship with France. You can become Spanish without giving up your French passport. Youd hold both EU citizenships, which has some practical benefits for administrative purposes but doesnt fundamentally change your rights.
Requirements after 2 years:
- Continuous legal residence
- Pass DELE A2 Spanish language exam
- Pass CCSE cultural knowledge exam
- Clean criminal record
- Demonstrate integration (employment, social ties)
The DELE A2 is basic conversational Spanish. Most French speakers pass after 3-6 months of classes, especially given the languages similarities.
Working in Spain as a French Citizen
No work permit needed. You have full labor market access from day one. Options include:
- Employment: Get hired by a Spanish company. Social security contributions give you healthcare and pension rights.
- Self-employment: Register as autónomo (self-employed). Monthly social security is around €300.
- Remote work: Work for French employers while living in Spain. Tax and social security implications depend on your setup.
- Cross-border commuting: Live near the border and work in France. Special tax and social security rules apply.
French qualifications are recognized under EU rules. Doctors, lawyers, architects, and other regulated professions need to register with Spanish professional bodies but dont retake exams.
Cost of Living: France vs Spain
Paris to Barcelona is a significant cost reduction. But even Lyon or Nice to Spanish cities shows savings on housing, dining, and healthcare. Spanish cities outside Barcelona and Madrid are cheaper still.
Your Timeline: France to Spanish Citizenship
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep my French bank accounts?
Yes, indefinitely. SEPA means transfers between French and Spanish accounts are fast and cheap. Many French expats maintain accounts in both countries. Youll need a Spanish account for local direct debits (electricity, phone, etc.).
Does my French driving license work?
Yes, EU licenses are valid throughout the EU. You dont need to exchange it. When it expires, you can renew in Spain. Some expats exchange anyway to avoid confusion with Spanish authorities unfamiliar with French license formats.
Can I access French healthcare on visits?
Once Spanish resident, your CEAM card comes from Spain, not France. You retain EU-wide emergency coverage. For planned treatment in France, youd need prior authorization from Spanish social security.
What about my French retirement pension?
French pension contributions count toward Spanish pension rights under EU coordination rules. You wont lose what youve accrued. When you retire, you may receive pensions from both countries based on your contribution history in each.
Where do French people live in Spain?
Barcelona has the largest French community, with neighborhoods like Gràcia popular among French expats. The Basque Country and Catalonia appeal for cultural and linguistic proximity. Retirees favor the Costa Brava (close to France) and Balearic Islands. Madrids French community is growing with corporate transfers.
We Handle Everything
EU free movement makes the legal entry simple, but Spanish administration still requires navigating a bureaucratic system that frustrates even locals. NIE appointments book weeks ahead. Empadronamiento rules vary by municipality. Tax residency declarations demand precision. The process looks straightforward until youre actually doing it.
At Legal Fournier, we dont just advise. We handle everything. Complete registration assistance, tax planning between French and Spanish systems, social security coordination, healthcare enrollment, and practical settlement support. You focus on building your new life. We manage the administration that would otherwise consume your first weeks in Spain.
Many French professionals assume EU citizenship means everything works automatically. Then they discover appointment systems, documentation requirements, and municipal variations that delay their integration. Our French clients arrive ready to work and live. Not ready to decode Spanish bureaucracy through trial and error.
This guide provides general information about moving from France to Spain. Tax regulations and administrative requirements change regularly. For planning tailored to your specific situation, contact our team for a comprehensive consultation.