Libbie Stevens | Spanish Visa Advisor | 6th February 2025 | hello@wilmerhealth.com
If you are applying for a Spanish long-stay visa, such as a Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa or a Spanish Student Visa, you will need to provide an ACRO certificate as part of your application. This document is issued by the UK police authorities and serves to confirm whether you have any criminal convictions.
Ensuring that your ACRO certificate is up to date, apostilled, and translated into Spanish is essential for a smooth visa application process. In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about obtaining, legalising, and using an ACRO certificate for your Spanish visa.
An ACRO certificate, officially known as an ACRO Police Certificate, is a document issued by the ACRO Criminal Records Office in the UK. It details an individual’s criminal record history or confirms that they have no convictions.
For Spanish visa applications, this certificate is required to demonstrate that the applicant does not have a criminal background that could impact their eligibility to reside in Spain
The Spanish government requires applicants for long-term visas to provide a criminal record check as part of the security and background verification process. The ACRO certificate helps Spanish authorities assess whether an applicant poses any risk to public safety.
This requirement applies to those applying for:
Without an ACRO certificate, your visa application will likely be delayed or rejected.
The ACRO certificate looks at your criminal record history and reports unspent convictions — this means convictions that are still legally relevant. However, for visa applications, the Spanish authorities may also ask for spent convictions, which are older convictions that may no longer be considered active in the UK but could still be relevant to Spanish immigration.
Spanish visa officials assess applications on a case-by-case basis, so even if your ACRO certificate contains spent convictions, it does not automatically mean your visa will be refused. However, serious convictions may impact your application.
The UK police step-down model determines how long offences remain visible on an ACRO certificate.
For Spanish visa applications, any disclosed offences will be reviewed by Spanish authorities. Having a past conviction does not automatically mean rejection, but serious or recent convictions may negatively impact the outcome of your application.
When you receive your ACRO certificate, it will fall into one of the following categories:
Having a conviction does not automatically mean your Spanish long-stay visa will be refused. The decision depends upon several factors, including:
If you have convictions on your ACRO certificate, it is advisable to consult a professional before applying to understand your chances and prepare a strong application.
Yes. Before submitting your ACRO certificate to the Spanish consulate, it must be legalised with an apostille by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). The apostille confirms the authenticity of the certificate for use in Spain. Without an apostille, the document will not be accepted as part of your visa application.
Yes. Since the ACRO certificate is issued in English, it must be translated into Spanish by a sworn translator registered with the Spanish authorities. A certified translation ensures that the document is legally valid in Spain. Submitting an unofficial translation can result in delays or rejection of your visa application.
Many Spanish visa documents require an apostille stamp and a sworn translation, which can be tricky to understand. If you’re not sure what these terms mean, our Guide to Apostilles & Sworn Translations for Spanish Visa Documents in the UK breaks it down clearly.
The validity of an ACRO certificate depends on the Spanish consulate’s requirements. Generally, the certificate should be:
Applying for your certificate too early could result in expiration before your visa appointment. It is best to time your application carefully to avoid unnecessary delays.
At Wilmer Health, we make the process of obtaining your ACRO certificate for a Spanish visa fast, hassle-free, and fully compliant with consulate requirements. Here’s how we can help:
By using Wilmer Health, you can ensure that your ACRO certificate is fully prepared for submission, minimising delays and making your Spanish visa application stress-free.
Don’t risk delays with incorrect or missing documents. At Wilmer Health, we can handle your entire ACRO certificate process, from application to legalisation and translation.
Ready to get started? Get your ACRO certificate for your Spanish visa today!
Wilmer Health streamlines the Spanish visa application process by providing all the essential documents you need. Whether you’re applying for a Non-Lucrative Visa, Student Visa, or another long-stay visa, we offer a complete service, including apostille services and sworn translations.
Our offerings include a fully compliant Medical Certificate for a Spanish Visa, assistance with obtaining ACRO Certificate for Spanish visas, arranging Updated Marriage and Birth Certificates, and access to exclusive deals on Spanish Private Health Insurance. No matter where you are in your application, we ensure your documents meet the requirements of the Spanish consulate.
Same-day medical certificates and doctor’s letters, all from the comfort of your home — quick, easy, and hassle-free.
hello@wilmerhealth.com
All certificate requests submitted before 9pm (BST) are issued the same day.