Moving to Spain: checklist for your first 30 days

Updated: October 2026

The first month in Spain is when paperwork piles up fastest. Many steps depend on each other – the bank wants your NIE, the padrón wants a rental contract, healthcare wants the padrón – so doing things in the right order saves weeks. This checklist is for anyone who has just arrived to live in Spain, whether you are an EU citizen, a visa holder or a digital nomad. It is organised week by week, with links to our detailed guides for each step.

Before you land: documents to have ready

Spanish offices love paper. Arrive with originals and copies of everything below, kept together in one folder:

• Passport (and national ID card for EU citizens), valid for the whole stay.
• Visa and approval letter if you are a non-EU citizen.
• Birth and marriage certificates, with an apostille and official translation where needed – especially if family members will join you.
• Proof of income or employment and private health insurance documents, if your residency route requires them.
• Passport photos – several. Many forms still ask for them.
• Your driving licence and any vehicle documents if you are bringing a car.

Days 1–7: get connected and find your feet

1. Get a Spanish mobile number. A prepaid SIM is enough to start and you will need a Spanish number for banks, appointments and verification codes. Compare options in our guide to internet and mobile providers.
2. Save the emergency number 112. It works across Spain for police, ambulance and fire, with operators who often speak English.
3. Book your NIE or residency appointment. Appointments (cita previa) at the foreigners’ office or police station can be booked weeks ahead in busy areas, so do this first, even before you have everything else. See how to get your NIE.
4. Secure a place to live. A signed rental contract is the key to the padrón, utilities and often the bank. Read our guide to renting as a foreigner before you pay a deposit.
5. Keep using your home bank card for now, but check its foreign transaction fees.

Days 7–14: address, bank and utilities

1. Register on the padrón at your town hall. The certificado de empadronamiento is asked for by healthcare, schools, residency and many other procedures. Our padrón guide explains the documents.
2. Open a Spanish bank account. You will need it for rent, utilities, salary and direct debits, and it unlocks Bizum for quick payments. See how to open a bank account.
3. Put utilities in your name – electricity, water, gas and internet – or confirm with your landlord which are included. Our utility bills guide covers contracts and typical pitfalls.
4. Consider home contents insurance. Some landlords require it. See home insurance in Spain.

Days 14–30: residency, Social Security and healthcare

Residency documents

• Non-EU visa holders: apply for your TIE (foreigner identity card) – the fingerprinting appointment should be requested within one month of entering Spain.
• EU, EEA and Swiss citizens: if you are staying more than three months, register as an EU resident and get the registration certificate (the green certificate) that shows your NIE.

Requirements depend on your route, so read our residency guide and the 2026 immigration rules before your appointment.

Social Security number

If you will work as an employee or autónomo, request your Social Security number (NUSS). It can be done online through Import@ss, even without a digital certificate, by uploading your ID and a selfie. Employers often handle it, but having the number ready speeds up your first payroll.

Healthcare

Once you are registered with Social Security or have the right to public healthcare by another route, apply for your health card and register with a local health centre. Until then, keep your travel or private insurance active. Our guide to healthcare for foreign residents covers the options.

Digital identity

As soon as you have your NIE document, get the FNMT digital certificate and register in Cl@ve. They let you deal with tax, Social Security, traffic and town hall procedures online instead of queuing – and you will need them for your first tax return.

Quick checklist table

Task	When	What you usually need
Spanish SIM card	Week 1	Passport
NIE / residency appointment booked	Week 1	Passport, visa if any
Rental contract signed	Week 1–2	Passport or NIE, proof of income, deposit
Padrón registration	Week 2	ID, rental contract or deeds
Bank account	Week 2	ID, NIE (or NIE application), address
Utilities and internet	Week 2	ID, bank account, contract
TIE or EU registration certificate	Weeks 2–4	Depends on residency route
Social Security number	Weeks 2–4	NIE or passport, form TA.1
Health card	After Social Security / residency	Padrón, ID, Social Security details
Digital certificate and Cl@ve	After NIE document	NIE document, passport

Things people often forget

• Tax residency: spending more than 183 days a year in Spain usually makes you tax resident, with worldwide income to declare. Read the Spanish tax system explained early and consider a gestor.
• Driving licence: rules on using or exchanging a foreign licence depend on where it was issued. Check our driving licence guide.
• Car insurance: if you bring or buy a car, it must be insured from day one – see car insurance for expats.
• Your consulate: many countries let citizens abroad register with their embassy or consulate, which helps in emergencies and with elections.
• Schools: if you have children, check enrolment dates with your town hall or regional education department straight away – places fill up.
• Your social life: paperwork can be draining. Join a club, class or language exchange early – our guide to building a social life in Spain has ideas.

Useful links

• administracion.gob.es – registering in Cl@ve
• FNMT – digital certificate identity check
• Import@ss – request your Social Security number (Spanish)
• Cost of living in Spain
• Family living costs and moving-in money

FAQ: your first month in Spain

What should I do first when I move to Spain?

Get a Spanish phone number and book your NIE or residency appointment straight away, because appointment waiting times are often the slowest part of the whole process.

Can I open a bank account before I have an NIE?

Some banks open non-resident accounts with just a passport, but terms and fees are often worse. Many people open one first and switch to a resident account once they have their NIE document.

Do I need the padrón if I am renting short term?

If you live in Spain, you should register at the address where you actually live. Short-term contracts can be accepted, but rules vary by town hall, so check locally.

Is everything really doable in 30 days?

Not always. Appointment availability varies a lot by city, so some steps may spill into your second or third month. The important thing is to start them in the right order.

Disclaimer: This article is general information only and is not legal or tax advice. Requirements depend on your nationality and residency route and can change – always check with the official source, and consider a gestor or immigration lawyer for your specific case.