Settle Into Spain Guide
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Table of Content
Disclaimer
I created this guide with the intention of sharing what I’ve learned and experienced during my own journey setting up our life in Spain on the Digital Nomad Visa. I hope it serves as a useful roadmap to help you navigate the many steps involved and avoid some of the confusion I faced.
That said, Spanish immigration laws, procedures, and requirements can and do change; sometimes quickly and without much public notice. While I do my best to keep this guide accurate and up to date, I can’t guarantee that every detail reflects the current rules or your unique situation.
Some of the information here comes from my personal experiences, and some comes from research or the shared knowledge of others in the immigrant community. It’s important to remember that what worked for me might not always be exactly right for you.
By downloading or using this guide, you agree that I cannot be held responsible for any errors, omissions, or outdated information it may contain. This guide is meant to be a helpful starting point rather than an official legal document.
Because of these factors, please use this guide as a helpful resource and always verify details with the relevant Spanish authorities, official government websites, or trusted immigration professionals such as lawyers or gestors before making any decisions or taking action.
Your move is a big moment, and having expert advice tailored to your case is invaluable. Thank you for trusting me to accompany you on this journey, and I wish you all the best as you build your new life in beautiful Spain!
Welcome to Your New Life in Spain
Hey there, I’m Koes. Not too long ago, my family and I made the big move from the US to Spain on the Digital Nomad Visa and, wow, it’s been quite the ride.
I want to be real with you: the excitement of starting fresh in a new country was often tangled up with frustration from navigating Spanish bureaucracy. The paperwork, the endless appointment searches, the confusing requirements have made me feel overwhelmed! And sometimes I felt like I was missing something important or not quite sure what the next step should be.
Thankfully, I found support. Whether it was from generous and patient locals, fellow immigrants who had been through the same thing, or professionals who guided me along, that help made a massive difference.
So now, I want to share what I’ve learned with you. This guide is everything I wish I’d had when we first arrived. It’s a straightforward and kind companion to walk you through the essential steps, hopefully without all the headache.
Whether you’re dreaming about moving here or already starting to unpack your bags, I’m here cheering you on. You’ve got this and Spain is waiting for you with open arms.
Glossary -
Essential Terms for Your Spanish Move
NIE
“Número de Identidad de Extranjero”, which is a Foreigner Identification Number issued to non-Spanish residents for all official processes. It works like a tax ID and is necessary for banking, signing leases, paying taxes, and other bureaucratic steps. Every foreigner must have and activate their NIE in Spain.
TIE
“Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero” is a physical Foreigner Identity Card that proves your legal residency status in Spain. It contains your fingerprint data and your NIE number.
Digital Certificate
An official digital ID used to log into Spanish government websites securely. It lets you book appointments, submit forms, and interact online with public administrations without visiting offices physically.
Empadronamiento
Also known as “padron”. It is the local residence registration performed at your town hall (ayuntamiento). It proves you live at a certain address, unlocking access to healthcare, schooling, and many government services. You receive a certificate (“Certificado de empadronamiento”) as proof.
Autónomo
The Spanish term for “self-employed workers or freelancers”. Digital nomads registered as autónomos must pay social security contributions and taxes. They can pay for a tax agency to handle their tax filings.
IBAN
The International Bank Account Number format used in Spain beginning with “ES”. It is required for rent payments, utility bills, phone contracts, and tax payments. Not all international bank accounts have a Spanish IBAN.
Gestor
A professional legal or administrative assistant who helps foreigners manage Spanish bureaucracy such as tax filings, residency paperwork, NIE activation, and appointment scheduling. Hiring a gestor can save time and reduce stress.
Padrón Certificate
Certificado de Padrón is the official document issued after registering through empadronamiento, serving as proof of local residency within a municipality.
Hiring Professional Help
Spanish bureaucracy can be tricky, especially if Spanish isn’t your first language. A professional gestor, tax lawyer, or accountant can help you unlock many doors.
They’ll assist with activating your NIE, registering as autónomo if needed, booking appointments for your digital certificate and TIE card, and handling tax issues.
Checklist:
Find a reputable gestor or lawyer early on (forums and immigrants can help).
Ask to see what services they offer and if they can help with NIE activation, tax filings, appointment scheduling, etc.
Use their expertise to save time and reduce stress.
Initial Housing Strategy
Our recommendation is not to rush into a long-term lease without exploring your options.
Many who moved here started with a 1–3 month short-term rental, giving them the freedom to find a neighborhood they love.
Alternatively, we also know people who prefer to arrange a long-term lease before arrival via full service relocation companies. These folks probably have visited before and already knew the neighborhoods they want to live in.
Checklist:
Research neighborhoods and book a 1–3 month short term rental.
Consider securing a long-term rental with the help of an real estate agent. Or if you’d prefer to search for one on your own, you can use Idealista.
Keep all contracts for your records.
Getting a Prepaid Spanish SIM Card
Your Spanish phone number is crucial for appointments and banking. Monthly plans require a Spanish bank account, so unless you already have that, start with a prepaid plan. Prepaid SIMs require only a passport and can be purchased easily.
Checklist:
Buy prepaid SIM at local carriers with your passport.
Use your Spanish number handy for official use.
Activate Your NIE
The NIE is your essential ID number in Spain, necessary for almost every official process. Even if it was assigned with your approval letter, you must still activate it.
Some folks have said that their NIEs got activated a few weeks after they got the approval letter without having to do anything, but, for a small fee, a gestor or a tax accountant can help you activate it much faster.
Obtain Your Digital Certificate
The digital certificate, or certificado digital, is essentially your official electronic ID in Spain. Think of it as a secure key that allows you to access a wide range of government services online; from booking appointments and submitting important paperwork to filing taxes and checking your social security information. Having this certificate saves you countless trips to government offices and makes managing your residency much more convenient.
You’ll need your digital certificate for several critical steps in your digital nomad journey, especially for scheduling your TIE appointment online or interacting with the Spanish tax authorities. In fact, many immigrants find obtaining this certificate one of the most valuable moves they make early on.
How to get it:
You need to make an appointment through Spain’s FNMT Site or local offices. We recommend getting a gestor or a tax accountant to set up the appointment for you.
Bring your visa approval letter and passport to the appointment.
Complete any verification steps and install the digital certificate on your computer.
Open a Spain Bank Account
You’ll need a Spain bank account with an IBAN beginning “ES” to pay rent, utilities, taxes, and phone bills. Wise and Revolut are great for currency transfer but don’t work here for contracts.
We use N26 for our Spain bank and it is a digital bank, which means they don’t have any physical banks anywhere. They require passport and an activated NIE to open an account with them.
Other banks that you can consider are bunq, Santander, BBVA, or Sabadell which may also allow you to open a non-resident Spain bank account.
Checklist:
Choose and open an account at N26 or other banks.
Provide passport information, NIE numbers, and Spanish phone number.
Confirm your IBAN starts with “ES”.
Tips:
Once your Spain bank account is open, you can switch your phone plan immediately from prepaid to monthly plans, which offer better deals and convenient automatic payments. You will need to go to a physical mobile phone store to do this.
Secure Your Long-Term Home
Look for a 12-month lease. Spanish law favors tenants with automatic yearly renewal for up to 5 years and allows termination with 30 days’ notice after 6 months. This offers valuable security and flexibility.
Checklist:
Secure minimum 12-month lease.
Confirm lease automatically renews each year.
Know your termination rights after six months.
Keep your signed lease safely.
Add and/or switch utilities to your name.
Tips:
We recommend engaging with a real estate advisor to help you with finding a long-term rental as they have built trusted and dependable local network of listing agents.
If you’d prefer to look for a long-term rental yourself, use websites like Idealista.
Secure Your Long-Term Home
Look for a 12-month lease. Spanish law favors tenants with automatic yearly renewal for up to 5 years and allows termination with 30 days’ notice after 6 months. This offers valuable security and flexibility.
Checklist:
Secure minimum 12-month lease.
Confirm lease automatically renews each year.
Know your termination rights after six months.
Keep your signed lease safely.
Tips:
We recommend engaging with a real estate advisor to help you with finding a long-term rental as they have built trusted and dependable local network of listing agents.
If you’d prefer to look for a long-term rental yourself, use websites like Idealista.
Register for Empadronamiento
Empadronamiento (Local Residence Registration) registers your address with local authorities and is required for public healthcare, schooling, and many public services.
How to register:
Take your rental contract in Spanish, your passport, your DNV approval letter, proof of first payment to landlord, and, if applicable, apostilled marriage certificate and birth certificates and their sworn translations.
Apply at a town hall and obtain your padrón certificate.
Tips:
Show up early to your local town hall. “Early” as in before they’re even open!
Your Spanish rental contract should include identification of the property (full address and cadastral reference), full names and identity numbers for both you and the landlord, type of rent (monthly, annual, etc), form of payment (cash, transfer, etc), amount of deposit, duration of the contract (at least 6 months and 1 day), and signature of all parties.
The Town Hall requires that all property owners be listed on the rental agreement. If the flat has two or three owners, each one must appear in the contract. If you are working though an agency, please confirm this detail with them.
Book Your TIE Appointment
Your physical TIE card (Foreign Identity Card) confirms residency in Spain.
There is usually a specific day that the Spanish authority opens up more appointment slots and they differ depending on where you are.
Tips:
Join Facebook or Whatsapp groups specific to where you are to get the information about when TIE appointments get released.
These appointments fill up very quickly, so be on your laptop exactly when they release appointment slots. You can also hire a gestor to find your appointment for you.
You will need your digital certificate and NIE number to book TIE appointments.
More often than not, you won’t be able to book TIE appointments for everyone in your party at the same day.
While some folks have said they never had a problem traveling within the EU without a TIE card, we recommend not to travel outside Spain before your TIE is issued to avoid re-entry problems.
Attend Your TIE Appointment and Collect Your Card
On your TIE appointment day, arrive at your designated police station early. If you have multiple TIE appointments for your family, you can try to have everyone show up at the earliest appointment day and time and ask the police to process everyone’s applications.
At this appointment, there is a list of documents you need to bring with you and you will be getting your fingerprints taken. At the end of this appointment, you will receive a document called “Resguardo de solicitud”, which serves as a receipt that confirms that your application is in process and that you are legally residing in Spain.
Documents to bring (please confirm):
TIE Appointment confirmation letter
DNV Approval Letter
Passports - original and copy
2 EU sized passport photos
Completed EX-17 TIE form
Modelo 790/012 payment receipt
Apostilled Marriage Certificate and sworn translation, if applicable
Apostilled Birth Certificate and sworn translation, if applicable
Tips:
Store the receipt in a safe place.
Use the receipt to pick up your TIE card once it’s ready to be picked up.
People have mentioned that you can use the receipt to return to Spain if you need to travel out of the country.
Download the Free PDF (includes checklist)
If this has been helpful and you would like to download the free PDF, click the button below. The PDF also includes a checklist to help you keep track of and celebrate progress. If you have any feedback, please reach out using the Contact form.
Need A Little Extra Help?
If you have more specific questions that the guide doesn’t cover, I offer a 30-minute video consultation for $50. I am happy to share my experience about our move to Spain as well as anything specific about living in the city of Valencia.