Legalising and translating documents

Still, it can often be difficult to confirm the validity of official documents issued abroad. To prevent problems, documents go through a legalisation process, which verifies that they were issued by the proper authority, that the content is accurate, and that the signatures are authentic.

To simplify this process, many countries have signed international agreements that streamline legalisation. In practice, there are two main channels, depending on whether the issuing country is part of the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961:

If the country is a signatory: the document will be accepted as long as it carries the Apostille of The Hague, a certificate issued in the country of origin.

If the country is not a signatory: legalisation must be done through diplomatic channels.

Additionally, all foreign public documents must be accompanied by an official translation, stamped by a sworn translator. Exceptions apply to standard EU forms, which do not need to be legalised or translated.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR COMING TO THIS COUNTRY:

Among all the procedures you may need to complete, immigration-related ones are often the most complex. The exact steps will depend on your country of origin and the reason for your move to Spain. In particular, immigration requirements vary significantly depending on whether or not you are a citizen of the European Union.
Before beginning the different procedures, you should be aware of the basic conditions you must meet in order to settle in Spain:
>>> You must not be in Spanish territory illegally.
>>> You must have no criminal record in Spain or in any country where you have lived during the past five years.
>>> You must not be banned from entering Spain or be considered a persona non grata in countries with which Spain has agreements on this matter.
>>> You must have sufficient financial means to support yourself and your family members during your stay.
>>> You must hold valid health insurance with a company authorised to operate in Spain.
>>> You must pay the required administrative fees for processing your documents.