2024. 03. 21.

Sometimes it’s like yesterday, sometimes it feels like a lifetime ago – …and yet I’m still pinching myself, trying to wrap my head around the changes in my life.

To be honest, when we started thinking about moving, it wasn’t just about the weather. We were craving a better quality of life. A slower pace, a healthier work-life balance, and just… more joy in the everyday stuff. We knew it might mean less salary, and we were fine with that – we reached a point where we honestly didn’t care anymore. We wanted sunshine, nicer people, better vibes, and a life that makes us smile every single day.

Planning Your Move to Spain: What to Know Before You Go

So, if you’re seriously considering a move or just daydreaming about leaving your your old life behind, here are a few important steps I picked up along the way. It can definitely feel like a lot at first – trust me, I’ve been there… – but knowing a few of these tips upfront will make your life so much easier!

1. Do your research about the regions in Spain

Spain is huge with its own unique regions, each with a different vibe. Find out what region suits you best. Are you looking for beach vibes on Costa del Sol, a big city like Barcelona, or a quiet countryside somewhere in Asturias? Find a place that resonates with you. And most importantly, familiarize yourself with the cost of living and the neighborhoods. Spain is generally more affordable than many other Western European countries, but like anywhere, the cost of living really depends on where you’re going.

Storytime: We knew we wanted to be near the sea with nice weather year-round. That narrowed it down to the coast between Cádiz and Girona. It was also a huge factor for me to start fresh and find a new job once we were settled. My boyfriend worked for an international company in England and had the opportunity to transfer to Spain. We were lucky, honestly, because the company had offices in the area we were eyeing. We had options – we could’ve rented a bigger house for 4-600€ in places like Cádiz or Murcia, where the salary is lower and it’s a quieter lifestyle. Or we could go for bigger cities like Barcelona or Valencia, where rent is higher – 900-1200€ – but the salary for certain jobs is almost like double, and there are more opportunities for English speakers. In the end, as some of you already know, we chose Barcelona.

2. Visit Spain and your chosen city first

Blatantly obvious, but just in case I will leave it here. I personally visited pretty much all over Spain before my move. From Madrid to Barcelona – from Malaga to the Canaries – from the north of Spain to the Balearic Islands.
… and I left my heart in Barcelona multiple times.
Okay, and a little piece in Andalucía too, but it’s just too hot there!
Barcelona has some refreshing sea breezes, which really help with the heat. In summer, temperatures hover around 30-35°C, but the humidity can make it feel hotter, especially at night.
Andalucía? Well, that’s more like a hot oven, with temps regularly hitting 40-45°C. It’s dry heat, but when “terral” hits and the winds bring hot air from the Sahara Desert – that’s when things get really extreme.
Up north – Galicia, Asturias, the Basque Country – it’s a whole different story. Fresh, green, and often cloudy. Summers are mild, rarely pushing past 25°C, and rain is always a possibility. It’s the kind of place where you might need a light jacket at night, even while the rest of Spain is baking.

So anyway, choose wisely…

3. Check the paperwork and visa requirements in Spain

Okay, let’s talk boring stuff for a minute. If you’re not EU/EEA/Swiss, you’ll need a visa to live and work in Spain long-term. It’s not impossible, but it does require some paperwork. You’ll need to apply for a long-term visa, like a work, student, or non-lucrative before arriving in Spain.
Once you’re here, you’ll also have to apply for a residence permit – TIE – in the first month. Be ready with documents like proof of income, work contract, health insurance, and a clean criminal record certificate.
I’m from Hungary and hold an EU passport, and my boyfriend is Spanish – so Brexit didn’t really affect us in the same way.

4. Find a moving company

If you’re planning to bring a lot of stuff with you, research international moving companies. It can get pricey, so take this as an opportunity to declutter your life – sell, donate, or toss anything you don’t need. We didn’t have much – just a TV, 11 boxes, and 2 suitcases. It cost us 700€ for a move from Manchester to Barcelona with a company called Spain Transport. But…
I can’t recommend them.
They picked up our stuff 13th of March, and at first they said it’s gonna be with us in Barcelona on the 21st of March… spoiler alert, we got it on the 2nd of May. They lied every week that everything would arrive over the weekend – but it didn’t. They were the ones starting to be defensive and argumentative when we asked where half of our life is for nearly 2 months… At one point, we thought they took all our stuff. On the positive note, one glass was broken and 2 picture frames – but still…

5. Learn Spanish

While many Spanish people speak English, especially in tourist areas and big cities, it is helpful – and very very respectful! – having at least a beginner level of Spanish.

Once you land in spain: The real fun begins!

Bureaucracy in Spain – It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Whether it’s registering at the town hall – empadronamiento – or getting your residency – NIE – expect to spend some time in government offices. There’s this weird circle going on… It’s like you need a NIE for renting, but for a NIE you need an address?! – It might take a while, but you’ll get there…. Not gonna lie, sometimes I felt like this:

1. Finding an apartment in Spain

Finding a place to stay is one of the most exciting – and stressful – parts of the move. Don’t expect to just walk in and find something perfect on the first try. Websites like Idealista, Fotocasa, and even Facebook groups are great places to start looking. Be ready to jump on places quickly because things can go fast.

The “okupa” situation is not making the renting process easier – people illegally squatting in properties. This makes landlords nervous, as evicting squatters can be a long and difficult process. Because of this, many landlords now do serious background checks just to make sure they don’t end up with a tenant who might cause issues or refuse to leave.

Storytime: we came for a week for apartment hunting. Very early on, we realized that it is indeed a very fast-paced market. You have to make phone calls because here people don’t answer emails. Time was passing, we started to plan ahead, thinking my boyfriend is gonna come alone to an Airbnb and look for places in his free time, and I will stay in Manchester – but our contract was ending there in a couple of weeks… so yea fun times. But then on the last night, around 9pm, we got the call that said we’ve been chosen for the apartment we really liked. We cried.

2. Getting your Residency Permit – NIE – in Spain

This white paper is your residence identification number, your NIE – Número de Identificación de Extranjero – in Spain and is crucial for almost everything, like renting a home, opening a bank account, and even getting a job. You can get an appointment online, fill out some papers, and go to a police station near you.
If you’re planning to stay longer than three months, you’ll need to apply for a residency permit – Certificado de registro de ciudadano de la Unión Europea – or in short, just the NIE Verde – that’s a green card. To get it, you’ll need to make an appointment online, then go to a police station. Bring your passport, a photocopy of it, your NIE, proof of address, health insurance, proof of finances or savings, a photo of you, and any other required documents. Check out the local immigration office – Oficina de Extranjería – for the latest requirements.

Storytime: Unfortunately, this whole NIE became like a business – … blackmarket? – at least here around Barcelona. For weeks I was trying to make this goddamned appointment, and I just couldn’t, it was always fully booked everywhere in Barcelona. Then the time was ticking, I got more nervous about this because you have to have it in the first 90 days, or ideally as soon as possible. Then we heard that if you find an immigration company, they can get you a NIE appointment for around 50€ – prices may vary…
Then, magically, after I paid the amount – duh… – this person straight away sent me like 5 different appointments I was able to choose from.

3. Opening a bank account in Spain

Most banks require a NIE, also bring your passport, proof of address, sometimes a phone number and any other documents the bank requests. Also, make sure you understand the fees – some banks charge for everything. Popular banks include Caixa, BBVA, and Santander. In BBVA you can usually find English-speaking staff to help you out.

Storytime: First, instead of BBVA, I went to Santander… Aaanyway. Long story short, they needed a NIE to open the bank account… But I needed the account to be able to apply for NIE?! …. y ahora qué?
At this point, we were just looking at each other like this with the bank assistant:

4. Get a Spanish phone number

Once you have your NIE sorted, you just need to choose a company – the big ones are Movistar, Orange, Vodafone, and Yoigo.
If you don’t have all your paperwork yet, a prepaid option (prepago) is your best bet – you just top up as you go. Once you’ve got your paperwork sorted, you can go for a contract (contrato), which is usually cheaper in the long run but requires more documents.

5. Register yourself at your local town hall

Empadronamiento is basically a proof of residence in the flat you are renting to officially say, “Hey, I live here now.” To do this, you need to request an appointment online at your town hall – ayuntamiento – bring your passport, NIE, rental contract, or utility bill on your name to prove your address. Once you’re registered, you get a certificate called the “certificado de empadronamiento”

6. Healthcare in Spain – private | public

Spain has an awesome public healthcare system, but that doesn’t mean you’ll automatically get access to it when you first move. So, unless you’re working in Spain or have another way to get enrolled for the public healthcare, private health insurance is your best bet. You can always switch to public insurance once you’ve settled in, but don’t skip the private insurance if you’re not yet in the system.

• If you’re a resident and not working: If you’re a registered resident with NIE and can prove you’re financially supported – savings, family…- you might be able to apply for public healthcare, sometimes through a special contributory system or as a non-contributory beneficiary, but you need to meet certain criteria.

• Through your spouse or family: If you’re not working but you have a partner who works and contributes to social security, you might be able to get healthcare, but your partner would have to add you as a dependent in their system.

7. Setting up utilities

Once you’ve found your apartment, it’s time to set up essential services like water, electricity, and internet. If you’re renting, sometimes they are already set up in the landlord’s name.. But if you need to set things up yourself or switch them into your name, get ready for some paperwork – again. This can be done online or by visiting local offices with your passport, NIE, empadronamiento, rental contract, and bank details if you want to set up a direct debit.

8. Driving licence

Check if you’ll need to exchange your driving licence for a Spanish one! If you’re from another EU country, good news – your license is valid in Spain, and you don’t need to swap it. You can drive with it as long as it’s up to date. It’s recommended to exchange it for a Spanish one eventually, tho’…
If you’re from outside the EU, your license is only valid for the first 6 months after becoming a resident. After that, you either need to exchange it or start from scratch and get a Spanish license.

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So there you have it! …I think these are the essentials that will make the transition smoother and less overwhelming for you at the very beginning of this new adventure….
The key steps and important things to know before making the big move. From picking the perfect region and sorting out your visa, to navigating Spanish bureaucracy and settling into your new home…
Moving to Spain is a big step, and it comes with its challenges – but trust me, you’ll figure it out, take things one step at a time, and before you know it, you’ll be fully settled in.

Aaaanyways,

If you have any questions, feel free to ask away in the comments!

See you at the next one,

Noémi

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