First 90-Days: A Quick Start Guide
Moving to Lanzarote is exciting but the paperwork and practicalities can feel overwhelming. Here’s a step-by-step guide to beat the red tape and help you hit the ground running with the essentials every new resident needs for your first 90 days.
Padrón (Town Hall Registration)
The padrón proves you live in Lanzarote – and you’ll need it for almost everything (TIE, bus pass, car, health card).
You can register with a 3 to 6-month rental contract.
Pop into the local council office (bus station office in Playa Blanca for us) to make an appointment.
Bring your passport, rental contract, and receipt to the appointment.
You’ll need to book a second appointment to collect the certificate.
01
TIE – Your Residency Card
The Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE) is your physical residency card – and you’ll use it for banking, healthcare, tax, buying a car and more.
Book your appointment at Policía Nacional (Arrecife) → Cita Previa TIE (look under Las Palmas).
Forms needed:
- EX-17 application form.
- Modelo 790 Code 012 (paid in advance at a bank – around €15).
- Take: passport (with visa), NIE, padrón (less than 3 months old), 2x passport photos (32x26mm), appointment confirmation, and fee receipt.
At the appointment, they take fingerprints and documents.
Return 4–6 weeks later with another appointment to collect your card.
02
Digital Certificate + Cl@ve
These two tools are game-changers for online admin with the town hall, tax office, DGT, Social Security and more.
Digital Certificate (FNMT):
Apply online, get an access code, then verify in person at your local town hall (it was Tías, for us).
Take padrón, passport, NIE/TIE and your access code.
Works only on the device you install it on. Valid for 3 years.
Cl@ve PIN:
Download the app and link it to your NIE/TIE and digital certificate.
Each login generates a secure PIN.
03
Bus Pass (Bono Card)
Residents travel free on Lanzarote buses.
Apply at either the Playa Blanca or Arrecife bus stations.
Bring your padrón, passport/TIE and a photo.
Small fee for the card.
Keep using it – around 12 journeys every 3 months – or it freezes.
04
Buying a Car
You’ll need your NIE/TIE, proof of address and a Spanish bank account. Some also ask for your padrón.
If you are lucky, buying from new dealers will handle most of the paperwork.
Insurance can start with your NIE, but it’s smoother once you have your TIE.
05
Driving Licence Swap (UK → Spanish)
You have 6 months from residencia to drive on your UK licence. Start early!
Get a medical certificate (basic eyesight/reaction test).
Book at the DGT office (Arrecife).
Bring passport, TIE, padrón, UK licence, and the certificate.
They take your UK licence, verify with DVLA, and issue a temporary paper until your Spanish card arrives.
06
Essentials Sorted!
Hopefully, with these sorted, you’ll be free to enjoy island life a little sooner – whether that’s your first swim in Papagayo, your first sunset at Playa Blanca, or your first café con leche as a resident.