NIE · TIE · NLV · Residencia · Padrón
More than twenty years of residency applications. Handled properly.
BCA Spain has been navigating visas and residency for UK and European clients since 2002. We know every route, every form, and every appointment — and we're with you at each step.
20+
Years of residency work
BCA has been handling NIE, TIE, residencia and visa applications since 2002. We know exactly what the authorities expect and how to get things done without surprises.
6
Languages spoken
We work in English, Spanish, German, French, Dutch and Italian. You'll always speak with someone who understands you — and who can deal with the authorities on your behalf, directly.
9+
Visa and residency routes
From white NIE to non-lucrative visa, TIE, digital nomad, family regroupation and beyond. BCA handles every official route into the Canaries — not just the most common ones.
1
Office · Golf del Sur
A physical office in south Tenerife — not a remote service. You can walk in, sit down, and talk through your individual situation with someone who knows it.
Our approach
More than form-filling. Individual guidance.
BCA assesses your individual situation before anything else. Your nationality, your ties to the island, your timeline, and where you're starting from — all of it shapes which route is right for you and what needs to happen first.
What works for a retired couple moving from Yorkshire works differently for a German national arriving with a work contract, or a digital nomad setting up remotely. BCA identifies the right path and manages it from start to finish, with you.
All routes into the Canaries. Handled properly.
Whether you're applying for your first NIE or navigating the full non-lucrative visa process, BCA manages it from start to finish, with you.
01
NIE (White)
Non-Resident Tax Identification Number — required for almost every official transaction in Spain, including buying property, opening a bank account, and registering a vehicle. BCA handles appointment booking, form preparation and fee payment.
02
TIE — Residency Card
Biometric residence card for non-EU nationals. Replaces the old green certificate for UK nationals post-Brexit and confirms legal residency status. Full application management including cita previa and document preparation.
03
Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV)
The primary route for UK retirees and financially independent individuals. Application begins at a Spanish consulate in the UK. BCA guides you through financial proof requirements, medical certificates and each stage of the process.
04
Residencia / EU Registration
Formal residency registration for EU nationals in the Canaries. BCA handles the empadronamiento, the residencia certificate application and all supporting documentation.
05
Padrón / Empadronamiento
Town hall registration — the starting point for access to most Spanish public services, including healthcare. BCA helps you register correctly and avoid the common errors that cause delays.
06
Digital Nomad Visa
For remote workers operating exclusively for clients or employers outside Spain under Spain's Startups Act. BCA assesses your individual situation and manages the full application if you meet the criteria.
07
Student Visa
For individuals enrolling in accredited Spanish educational institutions. BCA coordinates the complete application including supporting documentation from the institution.
08
Working Visa
For individuals with a confirmed employment offer from a Spanish employer. BCA coordinates the employer-side documentation requirements alongside your own application.
09
Family Regroupation Visa
For residents who wish to bring a family member to join them in Spain. BCA assesses eligibility, manages the supporting documentation and accompanies you through each stage.
The BCA process
From first contact to official confirmation.
No guesswork. No chasing. You'll know exactly what's happening and what comes next — at each step.
Step 01 — Assess
Every situation is individual.
Before anything else, BCA works out exactly which route applies to you, what documentation you'll need, and what has to happen first. There are no assumptions and no guesswork.
Step 02 — Prepare
Everything checked before you arrive.
Before anything else, BCA works out exactly which route applies to you, what documentation you'll need, and what has to happen first. There are no assumptions and no guesswork.
Step 03 — Accompany
We're there with you.
For appointments at the police station, the consulate or the town hall — the team is there with you. BCA accompanies you through each step until you have your confirmation in hand.
Good to know
We're not a law firm — and we don't pretend to be.
BCA Spain is a relocation and administration consultancy, not a solicitor's office. We don't represent clients in court or provide legal advice on criminal, family or labour matters. What we do is work with a trusted panel of specialist solicitors when legal expertise is required — and we stay involved throughout to make sure nothing falls through the gaps.
If your situation involves a dispute, a family law matter or a criminal proceeding, BCA will refer you to the right solicitor and remain your coordination point. You don't navigate two offices — BCA handles the communication.
FAQ
Questions we hear every day.
Do I need to come to Tenerife to get my NIE?
It depends on your situation. UK nationals who are already in Tenerife or who have family connections here can apply for a white NIE at a local police station. Those still in the UK and starting from scratch typically need to begin at a Spanish consulate — Glasgow, Manchester, or London, depending on where they live. BCA will advise you on which route applies and what to prepare.
What's the difference between a NIE, a TIE, and residencia?
The NIE (white) is a foreigner identification number — required for any official transaction but doesn't confirm residency. The TIE is the biometric residence card for non-EU nationals, including UK citizens post-Brexit, and confirms legal residency status. Residencia refers to the formal registration of EU nationals as residents. BCA will tell you exactly which document you need and in what order — they're often part of the same process.
How long does a non-lucrative visa application take?
The NLV process typically begins at a Spanish consulate in the UK and can take several months from application to visa issue — the timeline varies by consulate and individual circumstances. Since 2021, all visa applications are tendered out to BLS International — we can assist getting you there and making sure your application is handled correctly.
Can BCA help if I've already started the process and made a mistake?
Yes — and it's more common than you'd think. BCA handles incomplete applications, missed deadlines, and situations where something has gone wrong with a previous adviser. Whatever the situation, come and talk to us first. We don't judge the past — we sort the present.
Do I have to be on the island for all my appointments?
Some appointments require your physical presence — the police station for biometrics, the notary for certain documents. Others can be coordinated in advance. BCA will tell you clearly which require you to be here and which can be prepared remotely. If you're not yet on the island, we plan around your arrival date.
Do you work with clients from countries other than the UK?
Yes. BCA handles applications for clients from across the EU and internationally — German, French, Dutch, Italian and other nationalities. The process varies by nationality, and BCA assesses your individual situation and advises on the correct route.
What happens after my residency is confirmed?
The administration doesn't stop at residency. There's the padrón, your TIE renewal cycle. BCA can manage the ongoing paperwork so nothing lapses. For clients who want continued support, our life administration service covers settling in after arrival — practical life support.
Not sure where to start?
That's exactly why we're here.
Whether you're still in the UK planning your move or already on the island and not sure what you're missing — ring our office, send an email, or pop in. No obligation, no pressure. We'll talk through your individual situation in your language and tell you exactly what you need.
09:00 – 15:30 hrs, Monday to Friday
Golf del Sur · South Tenerife