Legal residence, administrative procedures and permits

To access further information on legal residence, select your group:

• Exchange students
• International students currently earning a qualification from the EHU
• International interns
• International researchers and staff visiting from abroad (lecturers, researchers and administrative employees)

Opening a bank account in Spain is relatively simple for both residents and non-residents, although the requirements vary from bank to bank. We recommend visiting several banks to compare services and costs, such as transaction fees.

In Spain, some banks may have additional requirements depending on the applicant's nationality, especially in the case of non-residents. This is due to regulations designed to prevent money laundering and avoid tax risks.

The Basque tax system is unique in Spain. Each province has its own system, which allows it to collect and manage most taxes autonomously.

If you receive a salary from the EHU, you should check whether you are required to file an Income Tax (IRPF) Return. This tax is managed by each Provincial Treasury: Araba, Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa.

Before driving in our country, you should check with the General Directorate for Traffic to see if your driving license is valid in Spain, if you need to exchange it or if you need to obtain an International Driving Permit.

The recognition of university degrees obtained in foreign education systems is regulated at the national level by Royal Decree 889/2022, of October 18. This regulation establishes three procedures for the recognition of foreign university-level degrees:

• Homologation. Homologation allows you to practice a regulated profession in Spain.
• Equivalence. The declaration of equivalence certifies the academic level of the degree (bachelor's or master's).
• Validation. Validation recognizes subjects from a degree to continue university studies.

More information is available on this Spanish Government website.

On the other hand, the original documents submitted with the recognition application must be properly legalized in the country of origin, either through diplomatic channels or by the Hague Convention apostille, and translated.