Expat paperwork guides

France

All of France How to file your first income tax return in France If you live in France you declare your income every spring, even when tax is already taken from your salary. Your first return works differently because you don't have a tax number yet. Here's how to get one and file.Verified 3 Oct 2026 All of France How to get your French social security number and carte Vitale To be reimbursed for healthcare in France you need to join the national health insurance (Assurance Maladie), which gives you a social security number and then a carte Vitale. How you register depends on whether you work, study or simply live in France.Verified 3 Oct 2026 All of France How to validate your long-stay visa (VLS-TS) in France If you arrived in France with a long-stay visa marked "VLS-TS", it only works as a residence permit once you validate it online on the ANEF website, within 3 months of arriving. Here's how.Verified 3 Oct 2026

Ireland

All of Ireland How to register your immigration permission in Ireland (IRP card) Non-EEA nationals staying in Ireland for more than 90 days must register their immigration permission and get an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card. First registrations are booked online and take place at the Burgh Quay registration office in Dublin.Verified 3 Oct 2026 All of Ireland How to get your PPS number in Ireland The PPS number (PPSN) is your personal number for tax, social welfare and public services in Ireland. You apply online through MyWelfare, then go to an in-person appointment with your ID and proof of address.Verified 3 Oct 2026 All of Ireland How to register for tax when you start work in Ireland When you start your first job in Ireland, register it with Revenue through myAccount so your employer can tax you correctly. Without this you pay emergency tax. You'll need your PPS number first.Verified 3 Oct 2026

Italy

All of Italy How to get your codice fiscale (Italian tax code) The codice fiscale is the code Italy uses to identify you for almost everything, from a rental contract to a phone line. Foreigners request it at the Agenzia delle Entrate with form AA4/8, by appointment.Verified 3 Oct 2026 All of Italy How to register with the Italian national health service (SSN) Registering with the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale gives you a family doctor and access to public healthcare. You do it at your local health authority (ASL), with your codice fiscale and residence documents.Verified 3 Oct 2026 All of Italy How to get your permesso di soggiorno (Italian residence permit) Non-EU citizens staying in Italy for more than 3 months need a residence permit. For most permit types you apply within 8 days of arriving, with the postal kit from a post office, then give your fingerprints at the Questura.Verified 3 Oct 2026 All of Italy How to register your residence in Italy (iscrizione anagrafica) Becoming officially resident means registering with the registry office (anagrafe) of the comune where you live. It unlocks the identity card, health service and many local services. Here's what to bring and what happens after.Verified 3 Oct 2026

Portugal

All of Portugal How to get your EU registration certificate (CRUE) in Portugal EU, EEA and Swiss citizens staying in Portugal for more than 3 months register at the câmara municipal (city hall) and get a registration certificate, the CRUE. Apply within 30 days after your first 3 months.Verified 3 Oct 2026 All of Portugal How to get your NIF (Portuguese tax number) The NIF is the number you need for almost everything in Portugal, from renting a flat to opening a bank account. You get it from the tax authority (Finanças), at a counter or through the joint service for foreigners.Verified 3 Oct 2026 All of Portugal How to get your NISS (Portuguese social security number) The NISS identifies you with Portuguese social security. You need it to work and to receive benefits. Foreigners can now request it online with a scanned passport or residence document, or at an office.Verified 3 Oct 2026 All of Portugal How to get your SNS number (número de utente) in Portugal The número de utente gives you access to Portugal's national health service (SNS): your local health centre, family doctor and public hospitals. You request it at the health centre for your area, with your residence documents and NIF.Verified 3 Oct 2026

Spain

All of Spain How to register as autónomo (self-employed) Becoming autónomo takes two registrations, both free: tell the tax office with form 036, then join the self-employed Social Security scheme (RETA) through Import@ss. New autónomos may get a reduced flat rate.Verified 1 Oct 2026 Málaga Empadronamiento in Málaga (registering at the town hall) Registering on the padrón in Málaga city: book an appointment or apply online through GESTRISAM, bring your ID and proof of address, and get your padrón certificate.Verified 1 Oct 2026 Valencia Empadronamiento in Valencia (registering at the town hall) Registering on the padrón in València city: book an appointment through 010 or valencia.es, bring your ID and proof of address to a municipal office, and get your padrón certificate.Verified 1 Oct 2026 All of Spain How to get your EU registration certificate EU, EEA and Swiss citizens living in Spain for more than three months must register. You get a certificate with your NIE. Here's what to bring, including proof of work or income and health cover.Verified 1 Oct 2026 Málaga Getting your public health card in Málaga (Andalucía) In Andalucía you request your first public health card in person at your local health centre. You need your padrón certificate and a Social Security document showing your right to healthcare.Verified 1 Oct 2026 Valencia Getting your SIP health card in Valencia In the Valencian Community the public health card is the tarjeta SIP. Apply at your local health centre with your padrón certificate and proof of your right to healthcare from the INSS.Verified 1 Oct 2026 All of Spain How to get your NIE (foreigner identity number) The NIE is the number Spain uses to identify you for taxes, contracts, banking and property. Here's how to request a NIE certificate on its own, with form EX-15 and a police appointment.Verified 1 Oct 2026 All of Spain How to get your Social Security number You need a Social Security number (número de afiliación) to work or use public healthcare. Request it with form TA.1 online through Import@ss or at a Social Security (TGSS) office.Verified 1 Oct 2026 All of Spain How to get your TIE (foreigner identity card) Non-EU residents get a physical residence card, the TIE, after arriving in Spain. Book a fingerprint appointment within 30 days, bring form EX-17 and your documents, then collect your card.Verified 1 Oct 2026 All of Spain How to renew your residence and TIE Non-EU residents renew their residence authorization first, usually online through Mercurio, from 60 days before it expires up to 90 days after. Once approved, you get a new TIE with a fingerprint appointment.Verified 1 Oct 2026

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