Expats in Spain: a TODO list guide after moving in the “happy country”

Towards the bureaucratic journey of settling down

7 min readMar 17, 2019

You made it! You have finally achieved one of the biggest dream of your life: moving in a new country! Whatever the country might be, you are going to live a new challenging and life changing experience: congratulations!

Job: got
Flight: booked
Firewall party: done
New accommodation: found (maybe, it is not always the case)
Movement: processed
Excitement: overloaded
New life: loading

Well, we all know how much time you spent figuring out what to leave home and what to include in that heavy-unclosable-luggage. You have to make an attentive selection of all the duties you want to carry with you. Finally you managed to close it and you feel relived! Another small (but meaningful) achievement before moving in what It is going to be your-new-home.

Every country is amazing, unique and with Its own qualities. On the other hand, every country has its own bureaucracy you will need to deal with — sooner or later (mostly sooner than later). That’s also the case of Spain.

If you have decided to move (semi)permanently in this warm and sunny country, there will definitely be some important bureaucratic steps you need to follow. Well, I guess you do not want to stay here illegally … or do you?

If you are European and you are moving to Spain for work, you must know that here the bureaucracy can be a real nightmare (made it worst in the case you do not speak a single word of Spanish).

Let’s make things easy, understandable, clear and … in a chronological order. Yes, if you get into the following steps in order (each of them, give you the “key” to “unlock” the next one — and no, it is not a game) you won’t get troubles and you can soon start enjoy your new adventure (hopefully) in this beautiful country!

1. Get your “Social Security Number”

Before anything else, you must prepare all the documents needed in order to have your “Número de la Seguridad Social”. It is mandatory to ask for it, if you plan on getting a job, setting up a business, paying taxes and/or using the public health care system in Spain.

First of all, be sure you have all the documents needed before going in one of the offices which issue you the number. At the time being (rules and requirements change continuously of the years), all you need to have is the following:

Original copy of your ID card or Passport
Copy of either your ID card or Passport
Copy of your NIE appointment (I will mention this document afterwards in the article)
Copy of your Job offer letter in Spanish language
The second page of this document filled in all its part

When you are sure to own all this documents, you are ready to pick up one of the offices of Social Security which can be found in Madrid and get into the (long) morning queue.
ps: below the complete updated list of the Social Security Number officers at the time being.

Social Security Number Offices In Madrid

2. Get ready for the “NIE”

Once you have your Social Security number paper in your hands you need to move forward to the next step! It is time to get your “NIE” done!

N.I.E. stands for Número de Identidad de Extranjero, which translates as Identification Number for Foreigners.

The NIE is your all-purpose identification and tax number in Spain. You need it for everything that involves a tramite or official process in Spain. For instance you need a NIE number to buy a house, a car, pay your taxes and sign a job contract, sign an Internet contract, etc. Basically, it is the MUST HAVE document if you are willing to relocate in the country.
Without a NIE number, the Spanish tax authorities are unable to assess or process annual tax payments such as income tax (IRPF), and the annual wealth tax (Patrimonio), both of which are declared by resident and non-resident property owners.

Well, which are the steps you need to follow in order to have this document in your hands then?

Make an online appointment: it might take at least 1 month to have one. It is usually an issue which the company takes care of but. If it is not your case, you can get it online at this link. REMEMBER to bring your printed appointment confirmation with you on the day.
Original copy of your ID card or Passport
Copy of either your ID card or Passport
Proof of address in Spain — your rental contract (in your name) would be sufficient
Filled EX-18 form
Filled Modelo 790 (usually done by the company)
A document which provides information on why you need a Spanish NIE number: your working contract (in Spanish language) is simply perfect!
Pay the NIE fee (€10.71 at the time being)

Once you have all these documents in your hands, you just need to wait till the appointment day arrives … and good luck! One of the offices is located at the address: Avenida del Padre Piquer, 18 Madrid, Spain.

3. Open a Spanish bank account

After so much running and signing documents, it is time to find a “secure” place where to save your money.

In Spain, if you are working for a company, it is mandatory to open a Spanish bank account in order to have your salary paid. I hope you will know some basic Spanish, otherwise you will end up to sign loads of documents where you have no idea what they say. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to find a bank where employees speak English.

What do you need in order to open a Spanish bank account?

Copy of either your ID card or Passport
A Spanish mobile number is well appreciated (even if not mandatory)
Your NIE number
Copy of your working contract
Several documents which will be asked you to sign in the bank

In Spain there are several banks you can choose from. I have decided to go with Santander which is probably one of the most famous one in the territory (and, if you are under 30 years old, you can open a free-charge bank account called Cuenta 123).

4. Empadronamiento (o Padrón Municipal)

If you are going to live in Madrid for more than 3 months, you should definitely consider doing this document!

What is it about?

This document states that you are resident in Spain and, particularly, in Madrid. Everyone who lives in Spain must move the residence in the area where he/she lives.
This documents demonstrates the permanence time of living in Spanish territory.

In order to ask for the Empadronamiento you need to be renting (or buying) and apartment or living with either a family member or friend (who hosts you).

Which “added value” does it bring to you?

You can ask for the public healthcare system (and having your family doctor in your area)
You have the rights to enrol your children in school
You can ask for payment reimbursement: to non-residential citizens they take from your salary 25% of taxes for the first 6 months of residency. The Empadronamiento is the only document which states the time you have been staying in Spain and only with this document you can ask for the exceeded taxes reimbursement.

What do you need?

Book an appointment at this link by following these options: > Tipo de servicio: Atención al ciudadano > Gestión: Padron > Oficina: Choose the one closest to you > Pick up the time of the appointment
Filled module for the request (it is done directly in the office)
Copy of either your ID card or Passport
Copy of your rental contract (signed by you and the owner of the apartment)

Congrats! You have just completed another step!

At this point, all the main and annoying bureaucratic issues have been (hopefully) successfully done! Many congratulations!

It is finally time to enjoy all the beauty that this awesome and breathtaking city has to offer to Its visitors and citizens. I am sure you will love it as much as I do.

Enjoy your stay … Hasta luego!