So you’ve decided to move to Spain. Maybe it’s the sunny weather, the food, or just the fact that life there feels genuinely better.
Whatever your reason, you’re about to start something pretty exciting.
Here’s the thing though: moving to another country takes more than just packing your bags. Spain does things its own way, and if you’re not prepared, you might end up pretty frustrated dealing with all the bureaucracy.
These 10 tips should help you get through the move without losing your mind.
Get Your Visa Sorted Early (Like, Really Early)
If you’re not from the EU, you need a visa to live in Spain legally. There are different types depending on what you’re doing: work, study, retirement, or there’s even a digital nomad visa now that’s gotten pretty popular.
Here’s something nobody tells you upfront: Spanish bureaucracy is slow. Really slow. Start your visa application at least 3-6 months before you want to move. You’ll need proof of income or savings, health insurance, criminal background check, and a bunch of other stuff that varies depending on which visa you’re getting. Each Spanish consulate does things slightly differently too, so check what yours specifically needs. Oh, and most documents need to be apostilled and translated into Spanish by an official translator.
Understand the NIE Number: Your Golden Ticket
The NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is basically your foreigner ID number. You need it for everything: bank accounts, rental contracts, utilities, buying a car, even getting a phone plan. Without it, you can’t do much of anything.
The good news? Getting your NIE doesn’t have to be a total nightmare anymore. It used to be that you had to physically show up at a police station after waiting weeks for an appointment. Now there are online services that do the whole thing for you.
Services such as Buenaley will book your appointments, handle all the paperwork, and even go to the appointments for you. You don’t even need to fly to Spain just to get a number. They’re completely hassle-free and honestly worth it if you value your time.
Learn Some Spanish Before You Arrive
Yeah, I know. You’ve probably heard everyone in Spain speaks English, especially in the big cities. That’s sort of true in tourist areas, but real life is different. When you’re at the doctor, talking to your landlord, dealing with utilities, or just trying to make friends with neighbors, you absolutely need Spanish.
You don’t have to be fluent before you go, but learn the basics. It’ll save you so much stress in those first few months. Focus on useful stuff: how to order food, ask for directions, understand prices, basic polite conversation. Once you’re there, sign up for local classes. They’re pretty affordable and you’ll meet other expats while you’re improving.
Housing: Don’t Sign Anything Without Seeing It First
Finding a place in Spain can be competitive, especially in Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia. You’ll see tons of listings online that look perfect. But here’s the number one rule: never sign a contract or send money without seeing the place in person. Never.
Scammers love targeting foreigners. They’ll post fake listings with stolen photos, ask for a deposit, and disappear. When you do find a real place, here’s what you’ll typically pay:
• First month’s rent • Last month’s rent (sometimes) • One to two months’ rent as security deposit
Rental contracts in Spain are usually long-term, like a year or more. Breaking them early will cost you. Make sure you understand everything before signing, and if your Spanish isn’t great, bring someone who can translate.
Open a Spanish Bank Account
You need a local bank account for basically everything: rent, salary, utilities. Some international banks work in Spain, but having a local Spanish bank just makes life easier.
To open an account, bring your NIE, passport, proof of address (rental contract or utility bill works), and sometimes they’ll want proof of employment or income. Some banks are better with foreigners than others. N26 and Revolut are popular digital options. Traditional banks like Santander, BBVA, or CaixaBank are still pretty common too.
Healthcare: Get Registered Right Away
Spain’s healthcare system is really good. Once you’re a legal resident, you get access to it. If you have a job, your company registers you with Social Security and you’re set. If you’re self-employed, a student, or retired, you need to register yourself.
For the first few months, or if you don’t qualify right away for public healthcare, get private insurance. A lot of visas actually require it anyway. Companies like Sanitas, Adeslas, or Asisa have plans for expats. Once you’re in the public system, healthcare is mostly free or really cheap, and the facilities and doctors are good.
Get Used to Different Business Hours
Spain runs on a different schedule. Lots of shops close for siesta between 2 PM and 5 PM. Lunch doesn’t really start until 1:30 PM or later, and dinner? Forget about eating before 9 PM.
Spanish Banks and government offices have weird hours too, usually just mornings. And good luck trying to get anything done in August when half the country is on vacation. It’s not that they’re inefficient, it’s just a totally different rhythm. They prioritize actually enjoying meals and free time over being available 24/7.
Taxes: Yes, You’ll Need an Accountant
Spanish tax law is complicated. You have to file an annual tax return as a resident, and depending on your situation, things get messy fast.
Just hire a gestor or an accountant who knows expat taxes. They’re not that expensive, usually a few hundred euros a year, and they’ll keep you from making expensive mistakes. They’ll also make sure you’re compliant with Spanish taxes and whatever you owe back home.
Make an Effort to Integrate
Moving to Spain isn’t just about living somewhere sunny. It’s about actually becoming part of a community. Spaniards really appreciate it when foreigners try to integrate instead of just staying in expat bubbles.
Join local clubs, go to neighborhood events, shop at the same small stores, talk to your neighbors. Become a regular at your local café. Learn about regional stuff too. Catalans, Andalusians, Basques, Galicians – they all have their own distinct cultures. Show some interest and people will respond positively.
Embrace the Pace (and the Bureaucracy)
Look, things in Spain just move differently. The bureaucracy can be really frustrating. Lots of paperwork, appointments you have to book weeks ahead, offices with limited hours. Getting impatient won’t make it go faster though.
But here’s the thing: that slower pace comes with benefits. Better work-life balance, longer lunch breaks, more vacation time, a culture that actually values relationships over just getting stuff done quickly. Just accept that some things will take longer than you’d like and try to enjoy the ride.
Ready to Make the Move?
Moving to Spain is a big decision, but if you prepare properly, it could be one of the best moves you ever make. The bureaucracy seems overwhelming at first, but millions of people have done this successfully.
Just take it step by step. Get your visa sorted, arrange your NIE through a reliable service, find a place to live, and give yourself some grace while you’re adjusting. In a few months you’ll be drinking vermouth at sunset, chatting in Spanish, wondering why you didn’t do this sooner.
Spain’s waiting for you. The sun, the food, the culture, the quality of life – it’s all there. Start planning, stay organized with all the paperwork, and before long you’ll be calling España home. ¡Bienvenido!
