Spanish Form EX-00 PDF: The Complete Guide to Boost Your Application Success

Many people arrive in Spain without hearing about Form EX-00 until after they land, which is where the problem begins. The time spent searching for information is the same time counted against the legal deadline for submitting the application. This article aims to save you that trouble.

What Exactly Does This Form Do?

Form EX-00 is the official application used to obtain a short-term stay permit (estancia) in Spain, or to extend it if you are already in the country. What many do not know is that submitting this form automatically assigns you a NIE (Foreigner Identification Number). This is the national identification number for foreign nationals that you will need later for any official procedure in Spain, whether opening a bank account, enrolling in an educational institution, or signing a rental agreement. For those also exploring work opportunities in Europe, you may find our guide on Decreto Flussi 2026 — Italy’s seasonal work permits useful as a complementary pathway.

The Deadline: An Important Detail Often Overlooked

You have only four weeks from your date of entry into Spain to submit this application. Not a full month, but exactly four weeks. This means that some of the preparation must begin before you travel, as certain required documents take time to obtain from your home country.

The maximum period of stay you can apply for is 12 months, in which case you must prove you have sufficient financial resources for the entire duration. If you are considering longer-term options, explore our overview of legal migration pathways to Europe available on Voljob.

Required Documents: What to Prepare Before Departure

Passport

It is not enough to simply have your passport with you; you must submit a copy of all its pages, including completely blank ones, in duplicate (two copies).

Proof of Entry into Spain

This includes the customs stamp in your passport upon arrival, as well as your boarding pass, of which you are advised to keep two copies. It is also recommended to fill out a Declaration of Entry at the airport before passing through customs to officially document your arrival date.

Two Passport Photos

Approximately 32×26 mm in size, against a plain white background, with the face fully visible, without dark glasses or any head covering.

Proof of Financial Means

This requirement confuses many people. You must prove that you have at least €532.51 for each month of your stay. For example, if your stay is 11 months, the total amount must be at least €5,853.32. This can be proven through a Spanish or European bank account with this balance, a payslip, or a scholarship. If a family member is supporting you financially, the financial support document must be notarized by a notary public or issued by the Spanish Consulate in the parents’ country of residence.

Private Health Insurance

You are required to obtain health insurance from an authorized company in Spain that covers the entire duration of your stay. It must cover at least medical treatment, hospitalization, and repatriation in case of emergency. Residents of European Union countries can use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) instead.

Translation and Legalization: The Step Everyone Ignores

Every document issued outside of Spain must be translated into Spanish by an officially certified sworn translator (traductor jurado). Regular translations, no matter how accurate, are not accepted by immigration offices. The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains an official list of legalization requirements that you can consult for your specific country.

As for legalization, it varies depending on the country where the document was issued. If your country is a signatory to the Hague Convention — as is the case for Morocco — you can obtain the Apostille stamp directly from an authorized official body in your country, which is faster than going through the Spanish Consulate. You can verify whether your country is part of the Hague Convention through the official HCCH status table. Some countries have begun using a QR code instead of the traditional stamp, which is also accepted.

If your country is not a party to this convention, you must go to the Spanish Consulate or Embassy in your country to obtain a transparent security sticker that verifies the authenticity of the document.

After Submitting the Application: What Happens?

Once your application is accepted, you will be asked to visit the relevant police station to submit your fingerprints and complete the process. The office in charge will schedule your appointment and explain the next steps. For full procedural details, you can refer to the official Spanish immigration procedures portal.

Do not forget that you need to submit the form along with a copy of it, as the administrative offices require both the original and a copy of every document.

Downloading the Official Form

You can download Form EX-00 directly from the official website of the Spanish Government:

Download Form EX-00 — Official PDF

Print it out and fill it in clearly using capital Latin letters (block letters) with a black pen, or fill it out electronically before printing.

Paperwork is naturally tedious, but thorough preparation before you travel makes things much simpler than they seem. Start gathering your documents early, and ensure they are properly translated and legalized before you set foot in Spain.