Are you relocating to Spain? Whether you’re moving for work or leisure, the Spanish life is one of the best! Here’s everything about moving to Spain.
Moving abroad is a life-changing adventure. It’s the best way to immerse yourself in a new culture. It’s also the quickest way to learn a foreign language.
But the question remains: where to move to? Should you explore the streets of Paris? Or drink tea on the Bosphorus in Istanbul?
While there are many destinations out there, expats are choosing Spain as their new homes. It’s a European country with a magnificent history and culture to discover.
But, if you’re planning on moving to Spain, you’ll have to plan ahead. Even countries in the EU have their own rules and regulations.
Even if moving to Spain can be a challenge, it’s 100% worth it. To get your move off to the right start, check out our tips for moving to Spain.
The First Step to Moving to Spain: Get a Visa
There are so many practical reasons expats are moving to Spain. They might have fallen in love with the country while on vacation. Or they’re ready to experience the insane amounts of food in Barcelona.
But you won’t be able to stay in your new home country if you don’t have the visa to go with it.
If you’re an EU national, then you’re golden. You can travel and move to Spain without a visa.
The rest of us will need one of these three long-term stay visas:
- Work Visa
- Student Visa
- Retirement Visas or visas for family reasons
If you have a job already lined up, ask your employer to help you with this process. But if you’re on your own or starting a business, then you can apply at your Spanish embassy or online.
You’ll also need to get an NIE, or Foreigner’s Identity Number, to do things like setting up a bank account.
Find a Place to Stay
One of the best ways to find a place to stay is to scout out other expat boards. Check for these forums based in your new city, and start asking around.
You can also hire a realtor to help you. But there’s also the option of renting an Airbnb for a month while you scout out homes to stay in. Yes, this will add another stress to your plate. But it will be so much easier to make decisions about where to stay when you’re on the ground.
If you have a lot of things you want to transport in your move to Spain, then you should learn more about moving trucks.
Opening a Bank Account
Once you have your NIE lined up, you can open a bank account in Spain. This will be easier when you have to pay taxes or send money back home.
If you’re not confident in your Spanish, book an appointment with an English speaker. You’ll need to bring a few items to get started:
- Passport
- Foreigner’s Identity Number (NIE)
- Residence Certificate
- Proof of employment and address
Learn the Language
When you move to a foreign country, it’s tempting to find other expats who speak English and never branch out. This is especially true if you’re an ESL teacher.
But if you don’t learn Spanish, you’ll miss out on amazing experiences and connections. Plus if you ever decide to return to your country of origin, you’ll have a new skill to offer.
Ready to Move to Spain?
Whether you’re moving to Spain or you want to visit, you should take a look at our blog. We’ve got advice about adventuring all over the planet, plus how to make your life better.
Oh, and we always know where to get a great beer.
