Moving to Spain Checklist - 25 Essential Steps for 2026

Your Complete Moving to Spain Checklist

Moving to Spain is exciting but involves a lot of bureaucracy. This checklist breaks the process into manageable steps. Follow it in order, and you will avoid the most common mistakes that cost expats time and money.

3-6 Months Before Moving

1. Research your visa requirements. EU/EEA citizens can move freely. Non-EU citizens need a visa (work visa, non-lucrative visa, digital nomad visa, or Golden Visa).
2. Obtain an NIE number. Your Numero de Identificacion de Extranjero is required for almost everything in Spain, from buying property to opening a bank account.
3. Secure health insurance. You need proof of coverage for your residency application. Private insurance from a Spanish provider (Sanitas, Adeslas) is accepted.
4. Research areas to live. Costa del Sol is diverse. Marbella is upscale, Fuengirola is family-friendly, Nerja is quieter. Visit before committing.
5. Start decluttering. Shipping goods to Spain costs EUR 2,000 to EUR 5,000 for a full container. Sell what you will not need.
6. Notify your tax authority. Deregister for tax purposes when you become a Spanish tax resident.

1-3 Months Before Moving

7. Open a Spanish bank account. Sabadell, CaixaBank, and BBVA are expat-friendly. Some allow you to start the process remotely.
8. Arrange housing. Whether buying or renting, have something lined up before arrival. Rental deposits are typically 2 months.
9. Organize removal or shipping. Get at least three quotes. Door-to-door service from the Netherlands to Costa del Sol takes 5-10 days.
10. Set up a Spanish mobile number. You can buy a prepaid SIM (Vodafone, Orange, Movistar) at the airport or order online.
11. Translate important documents. Use a sworn translator (traductor jurado) for birth certificates, marriage certificates, and diplomas.
12. Arrange pet transport if applicable. Pets need an EU pet passport, microchip, and rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel.

First Week in Spain

13. Register at the town hall (empadronamiento). This is your proof of address. Needed for everything from schools to healthcare.
14. Apply for residency (if staying 90+ days). EU citizens register at the Oficina de Extranjeros. Non-EU citizens activate their visa at the police station.
15. Register for healthcare. Get your SIP card at the local Centro de Salud.
16. Set up utilities. Electricity (Endesa, Iberdrola), water (local provider), and internet (Movistar, Vodafone, MasMovil).
17. Get a local driving licence or exchange yours. EU licences are valid. Non-EU licences must be exchanged within 6 months.

First Month in Spain

18. Register with the tax authority (Agencia Tributaria). You need a digital certificate for online tax filings.
19. Enrol children in school. Bring translated school records and vaccination booklets.
20. Set up a gestor. A gestor is an administrative facilitator who handles bureaucracy for you. Costs EUR 50-100/month. Worth every cent.
21. Transfer your car or buy locally. Importing a car involves ITV inspection, re-registration, and import taxes. Often cheaper to sell and buy locally.
22. Learn the basics of Spanish. Even simple phrases make daily life dramatically easier. Local language schools offer affordable courses.

First Three Months

23. Review your tax situation. If you spend 183+ days per year in Spain, you are a Spanish tax resident. Consider hiring a fiscal advisor.
24. Build your social network. Join expat groups, sports clubs, or volunteer organizations. Facebook groups and InterNations are good starting points.
25. Consider buying property. Use our free calculator to estimate your total costs for purchasing, including ITP tax (7%), notary, lawyer, and registration fees.

This checklist covers the essentials, but every situation is unique. If you are buying property, get legal advice. A good lawyer costs EUR 1,500 to EUR 3,000 and prevents expensive mistakes.