How to register as an expat resident in 7 countries 2026: the bureaucracy guide

Registration as a resident is the paperwork bridge between arriving in a country and actually living there legally. It unlocks your bank account, healthcare, local phone contract, and tax status. This is the step-by-step guide for 7 of the most popular expat destinations.

Spain — NIE, padrón, and TIE

Spain has three key registration steps for EU and non-EU citizens:

1. NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero): your foreign tax identification number. Required for virtually everything — bank accounts, property, employment, car registration. Apply at the National Police (Policía Nacional) with your passport and a completed EX-15 form. Can take 1–4 weeks to process. Budget £20–40 in fees.
2. Padrón (empadronamiento): registration with your local town hall (Ayuntamiento). Proves your address. Required for public services, school enrolment, healthcare registration. Bring your passport, lease/property deed, and fill in a registration form at the Ayuntamiento. Fast process — typically same-day. Important: this is separate from your immigration status.
3. TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero): for non-EU citizens with long-stay visas (Digital Nomad, Non-Lucrative, etc.), this plastic residence card replaces the NIE sticker and is required for ongoing residence. Apply at Policía Nacional. This step comes after your visa is approved.

Recommended order: NIE → Padrón → Bank account → Healthcare registration → TIE (once visa approved).

Portugal — NIF, SEF/AIMA, and residence

1. NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal): your Portuguese tax number. Apply at any Tax Authority (Autoridade Tributária) office or Loja do Cidadão. EU citizens can get it same-day with a passport. Non-EU citizens need a fiscal representative initially if they don’t yet have a Portuguese address.
2. NHR status (Non-Habitual Resident): if eligible, apply for NHR within 31 March of the year after you establish tax residency — this gives 10 years of flat 20% income tax on Portuguese-source income (NHR rules changed in 2024, but IFICI regime now applies to some categories).
3. AIMA registration: formerly SEF (Foreigners and Borders Service), now AIMA handles residence permits. EU citizens register their EU residency with AIMA; non-EU citizens apply for D7, Digital Nomad, or other visas here.

Germany — Anmeldung

Germany’s registration system (Anmeldung) is one of the most important steps for any newcomer:

1. Find accommodation: Anmeldung requires a real address. Temporary stays (Airbnb) sometimes work if the host agrees to sign a landlord form (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung).
2. Visit your local Bürgeramt (citizen service office) within 14 days of establishing your address. Bring your passport, the signed Wohnungsgeberbestätigung form, and the completed Anmeldeformular.
3. Receive your Meldebescheinigung (registration certificate) — this document unlocks everything else: bank accounts, utility contracts, health insurance, and your Steuer-ID (tax ID which arrives by post within 2–3 weeks).

Non-EU citizens additionally apply for residence permits (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) at the local Ausländerbehörde. Your employer typically manages this for work visas; freelancers and self-employed need to apply independently.

France — Déclaration d’arrivée

EU citizens living in France do not need to formally register — free movement applies. Non-EU citizens on long-stay visas must:

1. Validate your visa online via ANEF (Agence Nationale des Étrangers en France) within 3 months of arrival.
2. Register with the town hall (mairie) for your commune — not legally mandatory for EU citizens but practical for getting your adresse on file.
3. Apply for your Titre de Séjour (residence permit) once your initial visa expires, if you’re staying longer.

UAE — Emirates ID and visa activation

1. Entry visa: organised by your employer or sponsor before arrival.
2. Medical test: required for all residency visa holders — blood test and chest X-ray at an approved AMER/Tadbeer centre.
3. Emirates ID: biometrics captured at GDRFA or authorised typing centres; card takes 5–7 days. Carry your passport + entry visa for this step.
4. Labour/residence activation: your sponsor activates your residence status. Once stamped in your passport, you’re legally resident.

Thailand — 90-day reports and address notifications

Thailand is unusual — long-stay visa holders don’t ‘register’ as residents in the European sense. Instead, you do:

• 90-day reporting: non-immigrant visa holders must report their address to Thai Immigration every 90 days (online, by post, or in person at your local Immigration office).
• TM30 notification: your landlord is required to notify Immigration of your address within 24 hours of your arrival at their property. If they don’t, you may encounter issues at Immigration. Ask your landlord about TM30 compliance.
• Work permit: if you’re employed in Thailand, your employer obtains a work permit for you from the Department of Employment.

Mexico — CURP and Constancia de Registro

1. CURP (Clave Única de Registro de Población): this personal ID code is issued to all foreigners with legal residency status. You receive it when your temporary or permanent resident card is issued.
2. Temporal residency card (FM2/FM3 equivalent): applied for at INM (Instituto Nacional de Migración) after entering on a designated visa or consular application.
3. RFC (Registro Federal de Contribuyentes): your tax ID, required if you’ll be working or earning in Mexico. Apply via SAT (tax authority).