EU passport holders enjoy freedom of movement within the EU, including Spain. This includes the right to relocate here and permission to work. This freedom doesn’t mean you’re exempt from registering and completing the proper administrative processes — only that you can arrive first, without needing prior permission, and register appropriately once here.

While the specific paperwork will differ based on your situation, you will always need to prove:
Identity — that you hold a current, valid EU passport or ID card.
Financial means — sufficient income or savings to support yourself.
Health coverage — either through the public system or a private policy.

Bringing family with you? Here’s how the process changes.
EU Passport Holders (Spaniards Included) + Non-EU Families

EU passport holders enjoy freedom of movement within the EU, including Spain, and can bring their family members with them. This freedom doesn’t mean you can simply arrive and skip all administrative processes — it means the timeline is more relaxed, and your family won’t be separated while you arrange everything.

The process begins with the EU passport holder becoming a legal resident. Only after that can the rest of the family apply for their residency. Spaniards can skip the residency step themselves, but will need to register their marriage and children with the local civil registry before proceeding with the process for family members (in most cases).