Moving to Spain in 2026: The Complete Step-by-Step Checklist
Moving to Spain can be exciting, but the process involves more than choosing a city and booking a flight. Here is the complete step-by-step checklist for 2026.
Moving to Spain in 2026: The Complete Step-by-Step Checklist #
Moving to Spain can be exciting, but the process involves more than choosing a city and booking a flight.
Depending on your nationality and personal situation, you may need a visa, residence permit, local address, healthcare coverage, tax registration and several Spanish identification numbers.
This guide explains the main steps for:
- EU, EEA and Swiss citizens
- Non-EU citizens
- Employees
- Self-employed workers
- Remote workers
- Students
- Retired people
- Family members
Important: Immigration and tax rules can change. Always check the latest requirements with the Spanish authority or consulate responsible for your application.
Spain relocation checklist #
Here is the full process in a simple order:
- Decide whether you need a visa or residence permit.
- Check whether your status allows you to work.
- Prepare, legalise and translate your documents.
- Arrange accommodation.
- Apply for your visa if required.
- Enter Spain correctly.
- Register your address on the municipal register.
- Complete your residence registration.
- Obtain your NIE or TIE.
- Get a Spanish Social Security number if required.
- Arrange healthcare.
- Open a Spanish bank account.
- Review your Spanish tax position.
- Register as employed or self-employed.
- Set up digital access to government services.
- Review your driving licence.
- Organise residence and documents for family members.
- Register children for school.
- Complete your first-month checklist.
- Prepare for renewals and future applications.
Not every person must complete every step. However, most long-term residents will need several of them.
1. Decide which immigration route applies to you #
The first question is whether you are an EU citizen or a non-EU citizen.
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens #
Citizens of the European Union, European Economic Area and Switzerland do not normally need a visa to enter, live or work in Spain.
You can generally stay in Spain for up to three months with a valid passport or national identity card.
For stays of less than three months, EU citizens do not normally need to register their presence. You can read the official rules on the Spanish government residence portal.
If you plan to stay for more than three months, you must normally register as a resident.
You must usually meet at least one of the following conditions:
- You work for an employer in Spain.
- You are self-employed in Spain.
- You have enough financial resources and full health coverage.
- You are a student with health coverage and sufficient resources.
- You are an eligible family member of someone who meets these conditions.
The application should normally be made within three months of entering Spain.
Successful applicants receive an EU citizen registration certificate called the Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión. It is often informally called the green certificate.
The official requirements are explained in the Spanish government guide to registering as an EU resident in Spain.
Non-EU citizens #
Most non-EU citizens need the correct visa or residence authorisation before moving to Spain.
Common routes include:
- Employment visa
- Self-employment visa
- Digital nomad visa
- Non-lucrative residence visa
- Entrepreneur visa
- Highly qualified professional permit
- Study visa
- Family reunification
- Residence as a family member of an EU citizen
- Residence as a family member of a Spanish citizen
- Residence based on exceptional circumstances
A Schengen tourist visa or visa-free visit does not normally give you the right to live or work in Spain.
Some residence applications can be submitted from inside Spain. Others must be started through the Spanish consulate responsible for your legal place of residence.
Do not assume that you can enter Spain as a tourist and change your status later.
Use the official Spanish Migration Portal to check the conditions for your residence route.
2. Confirm whether your status allows you to work #
Not every Spanish residence permit includes the same work rights.
For example:
- An employment permit allows work under the conditions of the permit.
- A self-employment permit allows approved business or freelance activity.
- The digital nomad route is designed mainly for remote work for companies or clients outside Spain.
- A non-lucrative residence permit does not authorise professional or employment activity.
- Student residence may allow work under specific conditions.
- Many family-based residence permits include work rights, but the exact conditions depend on the permit.
Check the official conditions before:
- Signing an employment contract
- Starting work
- Registering a business
- Sending invoices
- Accepting Spanish clients
- Changing employers
- Moving from employment to self-employment
Working without the correct authorisation can create problems with immigration renewals, taxes and Social Security.
The permit name alone is not always enough. Read the official approval decision and check the rules for your specific residence category.
3. Prepare your documents before moving #
Many Spanish procedures require documents issued in your home country.
It is usually easier to prepare them before travelling.
Depending on your immigration route, you may need:
- A valid passport
- Birth certificate
- Marriage or registered partnership certificate
- Criminal record certificate
- Proof of income
- Proof of savings
- Employment contract
- Client contracts
- Employer letters
- Company registration documents
- Private health insurance
- Medical certificate
- Proof of accommodation
- University or school admission letter
- Professional qualifications
- Documents for dependent family members
Apostille or legalisation #
Foreign public documents may need an apostille or another form of legalisation.
The correct method depends on:
- The country that issued the document
- Whether the country belongs to the Hague Apostille Convention
- The type of document
- The Spanish procedure for which the document will be used
An apostille does not translate the document. It confirms the authenticity of the public document for international use.
Official translations #
Documents that are not in Spanish may need to be translated by a sworn translator recognised in Spain.
This type of translator is known as a traductor-intérprete jurado.
Do not translate or legalise documents too early without checking their validity period. Criminal record certificates and medical certificates often need to be recent when you submit an application.
Keep several copies #
Keep:
- Original documents
- Paper copies
- Clear PDF scans
- Copies stored in secure cloud storage
- Copies of apostilles
- Copies of translations
- Application receipts
- Appointment confirmations
Spanish authorities may ask for the same document during more than one stage of the process.
4. Choose where to live #
Your location affects more than the weather.
Before choosing a city, compare:
- Long-term rental prices
- Job opportunities
- Public transport
- International airports
- Healthcare access
- Schools
- Local languages
- Climate
- Summer temperatures
- Winter humidity
- International communities
- Government appointment availability
Madrid and Barcelona offer large job markets, international connections and strong public transport. However, housing costs are high.
Valencia, Alicante and Málaga are popular with remote workers and international residents. Rental demand can also be high in these cities.
Smaller cities may offer lower costs and a quieter lifestyle, but they can have:
- Fewer international services
- Less public transport
- Smaller job markets
- Fewer English-speaking professionals
- Longer journeys to international airports
Spain also has several regional languages.
Spanish is used across the country, but Catalan, Valencian, Basque and Galician are important in their regions. They may be used in schools, public administration and local services.
5. Arrange suitable accommodation #
Proof of accommodation may be required for:
- Visa applications
- Municipal registration
- Residence applications
- Banking
- School registration
- Healthcare registration
Possible forms of proof include:
- A rental contract
- Property ownership documents
- A host declaration
- Written permission from the owner
- Written permission from the main tenant
- Other evidence accepted by the municipality or consulate
Requirements can differ between consulates, municipalities and immigration procedures.
Before paying a deposit #
Check:
- The identity of the landlord or agency
- Whether the property exists
- Whether the person renting it has the legal right to do so
- The length of the contract
- The deposit
- Any additional financial guarantees
- Which costs are included
- The conditions for ending the contract
- Whether municipal registration is possible at the address
- Whether the contract is for normal residence or seasonal use
Be careful when someone:
- Requests a large payment before a viewing
- Refuses to show identification
- Refuses to provide a written contract
- Claims to be abroad and unable to show the property
- Pressures you to pay immediately
- Offers a price far below the local market
A short-term tourist booking may not always be accepted as proof of long-term accommodation.
6. Apply for the correct visa #
Non-EU citizens who need a visa should normally apply through the responsible Spanish consulate or authorised visa centre.
Requirements and appointment systems can differ between consulates.
Always use the instructions published by the office responsible for the area where you legally live.
The process may include:
- Booking an appointment.
- Completing the national visa application form.
- Paying the application fee.
- Submitting original documents and copies.
- Providing biometric information if required.
- Attending an interview.
- Waiting for a decision.
- Collecting your passport and visa.
You can find general information about Spanish national visas through the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Check your visa carefully #
Before travelling, confirm:
- Your full name
- Passport number
- Visa type
- Visa validity dates
- Number of permitted entries
- Any remarks or conditions
- The deadline for entering Spain
- Whether you must apply for a TIE after arrival
Contact the consulate if important information is incorrect.
Do not travel with a visa that contains a serious error without first asking the consulate what to do.
7. Enter Spain and keep proof of entry #
When entering Spain, carry the important documents related to your move in your hand luggage.
These may include:
- Passport
- Visa
- Residence approval
- Accommodation details
- Health insurance
- Employment documents
- Study documents
- Proof of funds
- Family documents
Keep:
- Your boarding pass
- Travel booking
- Passport entry stamp
- Transport tickets
- Proof of the date you entered Spain
If you enter the Schengen area through another country, your passport may not receive a Spanish entry stamp.
In some immigration procedures, you may need other evidence showing when you entered Spain.
People who need official proof of entry should check whether they must submit a declaración de entrada, or declaration of entry, to the Spanish police.
8. Register on the padrón #
The padrón municipal is the local population register managed by the town or city hall.
Registering on it is called empadronamiento.
A padrón certificate may be required for:
- Residence registration
- Immigration applications
- Healthcare
- Schools
- Social services
- Driving procedures
- Proof of address
The Spanish government explains the role of the padrón in its guide to residence procedures and local registration.
Where to register #
Apply through the town hall, or ayuntamiento, in the municipality where you live.
Some municipalities require an appointment. Others allow part of the procedure to be completed online.
Common documents #
You may need:
- Passport or identity card
- Rental contract
- Property deed
- Recent utility bill
- Authorisation from the owner
- Authorisation from the main tenant
- Birth certificates for children
- Family documents
Each municipality can have slightly different requirements.
Check your local town hall’s website before attending the appointment.
The padrón is not a residence permit #
Being registered on the padrón does not itself give a non-EU citizen legal immigration status.
It only records where a person lives.
The padrón does not replace:
- A visa
- A residence authorisation
- A TIE
- EU residence registration
9. Understand the NIE, TIE and EU registration certificate #
These terms are often confused.
NIE #
The Número de Identidad de Extranjero, or NIE, is a personal identification number for foreign nationals who have administrative, professional, economic or social connections with Spain.
It is used for:
- Taxes
- Property purchases
- Employment
- Social Security
- Business registration
- Some contracts
- Government procedures
The NIE is only a number.
It is not:
- A visa
- A residence permit
- A work permit
- Proof that you legally live in Spain
Spain may assign your NIE as part of a visa, residence or police procedure.
A person with a valid economic, professional or social reason may also be able to apply for a NIE separately.
The Ministry of the Interior explains the purpose and application conditions on its official NIE information page.
A separate NIE application may require:
- Application form EX-15
- Passport or identity document
- Payment of the government fee
- Evidence explaining why the NIE is required
TIE #
The Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero, or TIE, is a physical identity card for foreign residents whose status requires one.
It normally shows:
- Your name
- Photograph
- NIE
- Type of residence authorisation
- Card validity
- Other immigration information
The official description and requirements are available on the Ministry of the Interior’s TIE information page.
Many non-EU residents must apply for the TIE after arriving in Spain.
For several residence routes, the application must be made within one month of entry or approval. Check the exact deadline in your visa or approval decision.
The usual process includes:
- Booking a fingerprint appointment.
- Completing the required application form.
- Paying the government fee.
- Bringing your passport and residence documents.
- Providing a recent photograph.
- Giving your fingerprints.
- Returning later to collect the card.
EU registration certificate #
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens normally receive a registration certificate instead of a standard TIE.
The certificate includes the person’s NIE but normally does not include a photograph.
You should therefore carry it together with a valid passport or national identity card when identification is required.
The official application normally uses form EX-18 and requires payment of the relevant fee. More information is available on the Ministry of the Interior page about the EU registration certificate and residence card.
10. Get a Spanish Social Security number #
You need a Spanish Social Security number if you plan to:
- Work for an employer
- Register as self-employed
- Pay Social Security contributions
- Use certain Social Security services
The number is commonly called:
- NUSS, or Número de la Seguridad Social
- NAF, or Número de Afiliación, when it is connected to Social Security affiliation
Your Social Security number is different from your NIE.
The Social Security number should normally be obtained before registration as an employee or self-employed worker.
Information about the procedure is available through the Spanish Social Security administration.
How to apply #
Depending on your situation, you may be able to apply:
- Through the online Social Security portal
- Through Importass
- At a Social Security office
- Through your employer
You may need:
- Passport, TIE or NIE
- Spanish address
- Contact information
- Form TA.1
- Digital identification
- A photograph or selfie for some online applications
Getting a Social Security number does not automatically mean that you are registered as employed or self-employed.
Your employer or you must still complete the relevant Social Security registration.
11. Arrange healthcare #
Access to public healthcare depends on your status and legal entitlement.
You may receive public healthcare through:
- Employment in Spain
- Self-employment and Social Security contributions
- Status as a dependent beneficiary
- A pension arrangement
- An S1 form
- Another legal entitlement
- A special healthcare agreement
- Specific rules for protected groups
Information about public healthcare entitlement is available from the Spanish Social Security administration.
Private health insurance #
Some visa and residence routes require private health insurance.
Depending on the procedure, the policy may need to:
- Come from an insurer authorised to operate in Spain
- Cover the full required period
- Provide broad medical coverage in Spain
- Have no waiting periods for important services
- Have no co-payments or deductibles
- Include hospital treatment
- Meet the specific requirements of the consulate
Read the exact wording used by your consulate or immigration office.
A travel insurance policy is not always accepted as residence health insurance.
European Health Insurance Card #
The European Health Insurance Card is mainly intended for medically necessary state healthcare during temporary stays.
It is not a complete replacement for long-term healthcare arrangements when you move your normal residence to Spain.
Official information is available on the European Health Insurance Card page.
Getting a health card #
After your right to public healthcare has been recognised, you normally apply for an individual health card through the health service in your autonomous community.
The process differs between regions such as:
- Madrid
- Catalonia
- Valencia
- Andalusia
- Galicia
- Basque Country
- Canary Islands
- Balearic Islands
You may need:
- Passport or identity document
- NIE or TIE
- Padrón certificate
- Social Security healthcare entitlement
- Contact information
Contact your local health centre or regional health authority for the exact procedure.
12. Open a Spanish bank account #
A Spanish bank account is not legally required for every resident, but it can make daily life easier.
You may need it for:
- Salary payments
- Rent
- Utility bills
- Taxes
- Social Security payments
- Insurance
- Mobile phone contracts
- Self-employment contributions
Banks may ask for:
- Passport
- NIE or TIE
- Proof of address
- Employment contract
- Tax identification number
- Proof of income
- Information about the source of your funds
- Tax residence declaration
Some banks offer non-resident accounts before you receive Spanish residence documents.
Compare:
- Monthly account fees
- Card fees
- ATM access
- International transfer fees
- Currency exchange costs
- Online banking
- English-language support
- Requirements for free banking
An account from another SEPA country can be used for many euro payments. However, a local Spanish account may reduce practical problems with employers, landlords and service providers.
13. Review your Spanish tax position #
Immigration residence and tax residence are different legal concepts.
You may become a Spanish tax resident if:
- You spend more than 183 days in Spain during a calendar year.
- The main centre of your business or economic interests is in Spain.
- Your spouse and dependent minor children normally live in Spain, creating a legal presumption that can be challenged with evidence.
The Spanish Tax Agency explains these tests on its official page about tax residence for individuals.
Spanish tax residents are generally taxed on their worldwide income, subject to Spanish law and any applicable double-taxation agreement.
This can include:
- Salary
- Freelance income
- Business income
- Rental income
- Dividends
- Interest
- Investment gains
- Foreign pensions
- Cryptocurrency transactions
Do not wait until the annual tax return to review your position.
Speak to a qualified tax adviser before moving if you:
- Own a company
- Hold significant investments
- Receive foreign rental income
- Work through a foreign company
- Receive stock options
- Own cryptocurrency
- Have trusts or complex international assets
- May qualify for a special tax regime
Update your tax details #
You may need to:
- Register or update your address with the Tax Agency
- Submit a census form
- Register as self-employed
- Set up tax payments
- Inform your previous country about your move
- Keep travel records
- Request a tax residence certificate
- Review foreign asset reporting duties
Tax residence is determined by facts and legal rules, not only by the address you choose to declare.
You can access official tax information and online procedures through the Spanish Tax Agency.
14. Register as employed or self-employed #
Employees #
Before starting legal employment, make sure that:
- Your immigration status permits work.
- You have a Social Security number.
- Your employer registers you with Social Security.
- You receive an employment contract.
- You understand your salary and working hours.
- Your conditions follow Spanish employment law and the relevant collective agreement.
You can use Importass to review parts of your Social Security and employment information.
Self-employed workers #
Self-employed workers are called autónomos.
Registration normally involves both:
- The Spanish Tax Agency
- The Spanish Social Security system
You may need to:
- Register your economic activity
- Select the correct activity code
- Register in the self-employed Social Security scheme
- Issue legal invoices
- Keep accounting records
- Submit VAT declarations
- Submit income tax declarations
- Pay Social Security contributions
- Check whether professional licences are required
Do not start invoicing only because you have received a NIE.
You must also have:
- Immigration permission that allows the activity
- Tax registration
- Social Security registration
- Any required professional licences
15. Set up digital identification #
Many Spanish government procedures can be completed online, but you need a recognised identification method.
The main options include:
- Cl@ve Móvil
- Cl@ve Permanente
- Digital certificate
- Electronic Spanish identity card for eligible citizens
- SMS identification for some Social Security procedures
Digital access can help you:
- Download official certificates
- Read government notifications
- Submit applications
- Review Social Security records
- Access tax services
- Update personal information
- Sign documents electronically
You can learn about Cl@ve and begin registration through the official Cl@ve portal.
A digital certificate can be requested through the Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre.
Different services require different security levels. Some accept SMS or basic Cl@ve access, while others require a digital certificate or stronger identification.
Set this up early. It can save many visits to government offices.
16. Review your driving licence #
Whether you can use or exchange your driving licence depends on:
- The country that issued it
- Whether it is an EU or EEA licence
- Whether Spain has an exchange agreement with that country
- How long you have lived in Spain
- The licence category
- The validity of the licence
- Your age and medical requirements
EU and EEA licences are generally recognised, but Spanish rules on validity, renewal and medical checks may apply after you become resident.
Some non-EU licences can be exchanged without taking the full Spanish driving tests. Other licences cannot.
Check the rules with Spain’s traffic authority, the Dirección General de Tráfico.
If you bring a foreign-registered vehicle, review the separate rules for:
- Vehicle registration
- Import tax
- Insurance
- Technical inspection
- Local vehicle taxes
- Registration deadlines
17. Organise your family’s move #
Each family member needs the correct documents and immigration status.
Prepare:
- Passports
- Birth certificates
- Marriage or partnership documents
- Custody documents
- School records
- Vaccination records
- Medical records
- Health insurance
- Proof of financial dependence where relevant
- Apostilles
- Sworn translations
Non-EU family members of EU citizens normally follow a separate residence procedure.
They may need to prove:
- The family relationship
- The EU citizen’s identity
- The EU citizen’s residence in Spain
- The EU citizen’s employment, self-employment, studies or financial resources
- Health coverage where required
The Spanish government provides an official guide to registering non-EU family members of EU citizens.
Do not assume that approval for the main applicant automatically completes the process for the whole family.
18. Register children for school #
Education is managed by Spain’s autonomous communities.
The application may require:
- Padrón certificate
- Passport or identity document
- Birth certificate
- Residence documents
- Previous school records
- Vaccination information
- Proof of address
Public school places are often connected to the family’s registered address.
The teaching language depends on the region.
In some areas, part or most of the public school programme may be taught in:
- Catalan
- Valencian
- Basque
- Galician
Contact the regional education authority before moving when possible, especially if your child needs:
- Language support
- Special educational support
- Recognition of previous studies
- Placement in a specific school year
19. Complete your first-month checklist #
During your first 30 days in Spain, try to complete the following:
- Confirm all deadlines connected to your visa or residence approval.
- Register on the padrón.
- Apply for EU registration or your TIE.
- Check that your name and NIE are correct on every document.
- Get a Spanish mobile number if needed.
- Apply for a Social Security number.
- Confirm your healthcare coverage.
- Apply for a health card if eligible.
- Open or activate a suitable bank account.
- Register children for school.
- Review your tax position.
- Set up Cl@ve or a digital certificate.
- Keep copies of all applications and payment receipts.
Government appointments can be difficult to find in some cities.
Start searching early, but avoid paying unofficial appointment sellers.
Use official appointment systems and government websites whenever possible.
20. Complete your first-year checklist #
During your first year:
- Track the expiry date of your passport.
- Track the expiry date of your residence card.
- Save proof of continuous residence.
- Keep copies of padrón certificates.
- Keep employment contracts and payslips.
- Save invoices and tax records.
- Check your Social Security contribution history.
- Submit required tax declarations.
- Review foreign asset reporting duties.
- Update your address after moving.
- Renew insurance policies.
- Review your driving licence position.
- Start residence renewals before documents expire.
Long-term residence and nationality applications can depend on evidence collected over several years.
Good record keeping from the beginning makes future applications easier.
Common mistakes when moving to Spain #
Entering as a tourist without checking residence options #
Not every residence permit can be requested after entering Spain.
Believing that an NIE gives residence rights #
The NIE is only an identification number.
Confusing the padrón with legal residence #
Municipal registration does not replace immigration permission.
Buying the cheapest health insurance #
A policy may be rejected if it does not meet the requirements of your visa or residence route.
Ignoring tax residence #
You can become a Spanish tax resident even if your immigration card was issued recently.
Starting freelance work too early #
You may need immigration permission, Tax Agency registration and Social Security registration before invoicing.
Depending only on social media groups #
Online communities can be helpful, but administrative requirements often depend on nationality, permit type and location.
Waiting too long to book appointments #
Some applications have strict deadlines after arrival or approval.
Paying unofficial appointment sellers #
Official appointments should be booked through the relevant government system. Unofficial sellers may use stolen personal data or fraudulent methods.
Documents to keep in one relocation folder #
Create a secure folder containing:
- Passport copies
- Visa documents
- Residence decisions
- NIE documents
- TIE documents
- EU registration certificate
- Padrón certificates
- Rental contracts
- Health insurance policy
- Social Security documents
- Tax registration documents
- Employment contracts
- Payslips
- Invoices
- School documents
- Apostilled civil records
- Sworn translations
- Appointment confirmations
- Government fee receipts
- Proof of entry into Spain
Use clear file names and keep backup copies.
Final advice #
Moving to Spain becomes much easier when you complete the steps in the correct order.
First, choose the correct immigration route. Then prepare your documents, arrange accommodation and complete the required visa process.
After arrival, focus on:
- The padrón
- Your residence document
- Social Security
- Healthcare
- Tax registration
- Digital government access
Do not treat the NIE, padrón, visa and TIE as the same thing. Each one has a different purpose.
Most importantly, check the official requirements for your nationality and residence route before making large payments or permanent travel plans.
Spanish immigration rules are national, but appointment systems and practical requirements can differ between:
- Consulates
- Police stations
- Immigration offices
- Municipalities
- Autonomous communities