All EU citizens who are moving to Spain for longer than three months will face added paperwork – and in some cases, a requirement to prove that they are covered by private health insurance – under new residency requirements unveiled last month.

Reports comments that in an effort by cash-strapped Spain to save €1m a year, EU citizens applying for residency in Spain henceforth “may be required to produce evidence of sufficient financial means to support themselves (and dependants)”, according to an “unofficial” translation by the British Embassy of the key parts of the Spanish legislation, which was unveiled on 10 July.

“Applicants may also be asked for proof of private or public healthcare insurance,” it adds.

The new requirements, along with a list of some of the documentation applicants may be asked to present, are included in the Ministerial Order that sets out the new regulations, a translation of which may be viewed here.