This checklist provides a structured overview of the most important steps for successfully moving to Spain. Divided into phases, it offers chronological orientation.
It is intended for EU and non-EU citizens who wish to emigrate to Spain permanently.
The Moving to Spain-Checklist includes legal, organisational, and practical aspects that pensioners, employees, self-employed people, or families with kids should pay special attention to.
This will make dealing with the authorities and settling in much easier.
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Financial and career planning
Draw up a budget plan with a financial buffer for your first 6 to 12 months in Spain.
Prepare proof of sufficient financial resources for the registration certificate (e.g. pension statement).
Check the tax treatment of your income in Spain.
Take double taxation agreements into account.
Research job opportunities in Spain (e.g. tourism, IT, healthcare).
Terminate your employment contract.
Non-EU citizens: If necessary, apply for a visa and residence permit with a work permit (if you are not self-employed in Spain). Self-employed persons should find out about the requirements for working in Spain.
Organise documents
Check the validity of your passport/ID card and have it reissued, if necessary.
Birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc. If necessary, with a multilingual form for EU countries (available from the authority that issued the document).
Have important documents translated by a sworn translator (e.g. pension statement).
Certain public documents must be certified or provided with an Apostille.
Driving licence
Proof of health insurance (e.g. S1 form for pensioners or private health insurance)
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Finding a home
Search for a property to rent or buy in Spain (e.g. online via various platforms).
Check the rental agreement or
prepare for buying a property.
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Deregistration and cancellation
Cancel your rental agreement and all utility supply contracts (e.g. electricity, gas, internet, telephone).
Deregister with the registration office.
Contact the relevant tax office to clarify your tax affairs.
Inform your pension insurance institute about your stay in Spain.
If you receive unemployment benefits, social assistance, family allowance or other public benefits, contact the relevant authority.
Cancel your broadcasting licence fee, if necessary.
Cancel any subscriptions and memberships in good time.
Insurance and contracts
Find out which insurance policies (e.g. liability, accident) you need to cancel and which ones are also valid in Spain.
Bank
Inform your bank about your move to Spain.
Make sure you retain access to your account..
Health insurance and medication
Inform your statutory or private health insurance provider about your relocation plans.
Secure medication for the initial period and clarify its availability in Spain.
Vehicle and driving licence
Consider whether you want to take your car with you or buy a new one in Spain. If necessary, deregister your vehicle.
Non-EU citizens: you may need to apply for an international driving licence.
Families with children
Find out about childcare options (such as kindergarten) and schools in Spain.
Other matters
Hire an international removal company (including customs formalities for third countries).
Set up a change of address order with the post office.
Steps to take after arriving in Spain
Home
Register your address with the Spanish municipality (‘empadronamiento’).
Register for electricity, water and internet.
If necessary, take out comprehensive home insurance (‘Seguro de Hogar’).
Your personal insurance expert will help you find the right insurance for your home:
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Register with the relevant authorities
Apply for a NIE number if you need one (e.g. for buying property, opening a Spanish bank account, employment contracts, registering as self-employed).
Apply for the registration certificate (registration in the central register of foreigners in Spain) within 3 months.
Non-EU citizens: Apply for the TIE (‘Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjeros’) or
residence card for family members (‘Tarjeta de residencia de familiar de ciudadano de la Unión’).
Health Insurance
EU pensioners: Registration of the S1 form with the Spanish Social Security Institution for access to the public health system.
Application for the Spanish health insurance card (‘tarjeta sanitaria’).
Employees: Access to public health insurance after registration with the ‘Seguridad Social’ by the employer.
Self-employed persons: health insurance through the RETA (special system for self-employed persons) upon registration.
Non-working persons: Take out private health insurance or
under certain conditions, the Convenio Especial (special agreement).
if you need or want an account in Spain. NIE number required
Occupation
Have professional qualifications recognised (if necessary).
For self-employed persons: Register with the tax authorities and social security in Spain. Further registrations and applications may be necessary.
For employees: If applicable, look for work and sign an employment contract.
Vehicle and driving licence
Register or re-register your car in Spain: After 6 months at the latest.
Take out Spanish vehicle insurance and
pay the required taxes (road and registration tax), unless you are exempt.
Non-EU citizens: If you are bringing your vehicle with you, you must complete the relevant customs formalities.
Clarify the requirements for exchanging your EU-driving licence.
Non-EU citizens: Exchange or renew your driving licence after 6 months, depending on the country’s agreement with Spain.
Here you can find a suitable car insurance policy for your vehicle:
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Families with children
Kindergarten and/or school registration.
Pets
Follow the new Spanish animal welfare law: registration, vaccinations, obligations for pet owners.
Within the EU, you need an EU pet identity card to travel with a dog, cat or ferret.
Other matters
Take out insurance (liability, accident, etc.) if required
Buy a Spanish SIM card.
On demand register with the embassy: Advantage: Receive information in the event of crises and disasters and in the event of federal or EU elections.
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Liability insurance (such as for dogs, compulsory throughout Spain)
Retirement provision & existence (such as pension, life, accident and funeral cost insurance)
Long-term matters
Taxes
For stays of more than 183 days in Spain in a calendar year: tax residency and unlimited tax liability.
Possible taxation of your income (e.g. pension payments) and assets in Spain according to the respective double taxation agreement.
Annual submission of tax returns (e.g. income, wealth tax) if tax is payable in Spain and the exemption limit is exceeded.
Check tax benefits for people with disabilities.
For property owners: Pay property tax annually. Wealth tax, if applicable.
Self-employed persons: observe tax obligations (e.g. advance payments of income and VAT, submission of information returns and annual tax returns). Pay social security contributions monthly.
Permanent residency
After 5 years of residency in Spain: Application for permanent residence possible (‘Residencia permanente’)
Non-EU citizens: Renewal or extension of the relevant residence permit or application for a long-term residence permit or permanent residence card for family members of an EU citizen.
Language and integration
Attend language courses to improve your Spanish skills.
Join expat groups or local associations.
Additional tips
Gather information about your destination region and new place of residence (e.g. economy, job market, taxes, local language, climate, cost of living, rent and property prices).
Before giving up everything in your home country, plan a trial stay (if possible) in your desired region (e.g. Andalusia) to test the quality of life.
Hire a solicitor or tax advisor who speaks your language for property or tax matters.
Take advantage of the expert articles by mag Wilhelm – TrustedMoveSpain for detailed instructions (e.g., NIE, residency, vehicle registration, health care).
Do you have any questions?
Then request a competent and law-based assessment of your specific situation. You will have a greater legal certainty and more clarity.
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Final note
All information in this article is based on knowledge at the time of writing. I cannot guarantee the completeness and correctness of the information, particularly due to changes that have occurred in the meantime. Should you become aware of any incorrect information, please let me know. I will take this into account immediately.
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