10 tips for moving to Spain

Thinking about relocating to Spain? With images of endless sunshine, sangria, and tapas in your mind, it’s easy to forget about the fundamentals of moving to another country – but there’s a lot of research and paperwork involved that you can’t overlook.

Moving abroad is a big commitment, and while it can be an incredibly rewarding experience, there’s no denying that relocating comes with plenty of costs and stress. 

To help make things easier for you, here are ten tips for moving to Spain that you can use as a checklist, including what you should know before you move to Spain and how to get started.

1) Learn about the culture and language

While you may already be somewhat familiar with the cuisine and the weather, there’s much more to living in Spain than that. To reduce the culture shock of living in a new country and help you feel at home faster, the best thing you can do is research as much as possible.

From socialising and work life to traditions and bureaucracy, learning about the ins and outs of daily life in Spain is essential if you’re planning to live there for any extended period of time. 

Of course, you’ll also need to have at least a basic grasp of the Spanish language to get by day-to-day. The majority of Spain speaks Spanish, while some areas speak Catalan/Valencian, Galician, or Basque – with English only spoken in some popular tourist areas. 

2) Look into work or education options

While Spain is a popular destination for retirees, who live on passive income such as pensions, many younger people also travel to Spain to pursue education or job opportunities. 

Whether you’re an individual or a parent hoping to move to Spain as a family, you’ll need to do even more research on Spanish schools and job markets. Knowing average salaries and which areas have more availability can help you decide where to live in Spain.

From research internships to different employment sectors, or even starting your own business in Spain, it’s better to get a head start so you can land on your feet when you arrive rather than waiting until you get there to start job hunting or looking for a school for the kids. 

3) Choose where you want to live in Spain 

Maybe you’re daydreaming about a villa a stone’s throw from the beach, or a luxurious apartment in the middle of the city. However, finding housing in some parts of Spain can be difficult due to high demand, so it’s important to set realistic expectations.

Consider factors such as where you want to work or study, whether you’ll be driving or relying on public transport, which public amenities are most important for your lifestyle, and so on. 

There are plenty of online travel guides and vlogs that can help you narrow down the place that seems best for you. Then you can start looking into housing options in the area, filtering your search according to your accommodation type, facilities, and budget preferences. 

4) Budget for the cost of living in Spain

To be confident that living in Spain will be a manageable prospect, you’ll need to look into the cost of living in the part of Spain you plan to move to and budget accordingly. 

As with anywhere else, costs can vary from place to place, and may be lower or higher than you’re currently used to. You should create a budget for necessities like housing, utilities, food, transportation, and healthcare, then consider leisure and extra comforts.

Don’t forget about expenses like visa applications and set-up costs, too. Part of applying for a visa to legally move to Spain will require proving financial sufficiency, so careful financial planning is necessary if you want your visa application to be successful.

5) Check residency requirements and apply for a visa 

There are many different Spanish visas available, so it’s important to make sure you apply for the right one for your circumstances, and meet all of the visa requirements.

There will be a list of criteria you need to meet for each specific visa, plus a number of documents you’ll need to provide – including ID, passport photos, proof of income and accommodation, birth and marriage certificates, health insurance, and a clean criminal record.

Whether it’s a student visa, employment visa, non-lucrative visa, or a freelancer visa, and whether you’re moving on your own or want to bring your family with you, things can go more smoothly if you hire an English-speaking Spanish lawyer to help with your application.

They will know the local and national laws and regulations, and can assist with getting your documents in order – as they’ll also need to be translated into Spanish and apostilled.

6) Get an NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero)

An NIE is a foreigner identification number, which non-Spanish nationals must have in order to do most things in Spain, from opening a bank account to applying for a residence permit.

Anyone staying in Spain for longer than 3 months will need one – but, while you have to apply within 90 days of arriving in Spain, you also have the option of applying before you move. 

You can do so at a Spanish embassy in your home country, or give a lawyer in Spain power of attorney to manage this on your behalf. You’ll need to complete the EX-15 form in Spanish and submit this alongside your passport and a document certifying your reason for needing an NIE (such as a preliminary housing contract or job offer letter).

7) Open a bank account in Spain and transfer money

If you want to live in Spain for longer than a few months, you’re going to need an account with a Spanish bank, so you can set up direct debits and use your card in Spain without worrying about payments not being accepted or paying conversion fees every time.

It’s best to get an NIE and open a Spanish bank account as early as possible, using a Spanish bank that operates online and in multiple languages. You may also want to look into online money transfer platforms that can help you to move your money without bank charges.

To set up a bank account in Spain, you’ll typically need your NIE, passport, and recent bank statements and payslips. It’s a good idea to look for banks that offer accounts for expats, especially if you’re planning to purchase a property in Spain with a mortgage.

8) Secure housing and prepare to move to Spain

If you want to start your life in Spain on a steady footing, you shouldn’t simply book temporary accommodation then wait until you get there to begin looking for long-term housing. 

Finding long-term accommodation can be one of the hardest parts of moving abroad, as without being present in the country, you can’t inspect and double-check things yourself.

Whether you’re renting or buying, it can help to have a representative on the ground in Spain to check properties and contracts, liaising with sellers and landlords for you. Otherwise, you’ll likely have to wait until you arrive in Spain to finalise everything.

Once you’ve secured housing in Spain, you’ll need to wrap things up at your current home and arrange for your belongings to be transported to your new residence in Spain. 

When you move in, you can finish setting up utilities and bills in your name and arrange any necessary insurance policies (e.g. home, contents, life, income protection, etc.).

9) Register as a resident at the local town hall

When you arrive in the country with the intention of living there for more than the 90 days allowed on a short-stay visa, you’ll have 30 days to register at the local town hall and apply for the appropriate residence permit and a padrón certificate.

If you’ll be living in Spain for less than 6 months, you’ll need a residence card (Tarjeta de Residencia). If you’re a non-EU national wanting to stay more than 6 months, you’ll need a TIE card (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) or foreigner ID card.

When registering your address at the town hall, you must also obtain your padrón certificate (Certificado de Empadrónamiento) to help you benefit from local services and register for Social Security in Spain. Like the residence card, you must renew this periodically.

To obtain these documents, you must book an appointment at the town hall in advance, and bring the required paperwork with you – including ID, proof of address, and completed forms.

10) Understand your tax obligations in Spain

So, you’re all set up in your new life in Spain – but have you considered your tax position in your new country of residence? This may have been forgotten during your financial planning, but the last thing you want is to be caught out by tax bills and fines down the line.

The Spanish tax year runs with the calendar year, from 1st January to 31st December, and anyone earning income in Spain will be expected to file tax returns in Spanish at least once a year (in some cases, quarterly). This can be complicated if you’re unfamiliar with Spanish tax regulations and aren’t fluent in the language.

However, just as English-speaking Spanish lawyers can assist you with visa applications and property transactions, they can also help you with taxes in Spain. 

This kind of professional guidance can be invaluable in making sure you fulfil your tax obligations during your time in Spain, so you can enjoy your life in the sun without worrying about the Agencia Tributaria (Spanish tax agency).