Moving to Spain: The Key Steps

Moving to Spain takes some preparation. Alongside your property search, there are several administrative steps worth tackling early on. As with buying a property, you'll first need an NIE number. Anyone planning to live in Spain permanently should also register with the local town hall (Empadronamiento) within three months — a requirement for many further procedures, including access to the public healthcare system. EU citizens staying in Spain for more than three months also need to register as an EU citizen (Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión). Citizens of non-EU countries, such as the UK, typically require a residence card (TIE). You should also plan for enrolling in the Spanish healthcare system, opening a Spanish bank account, and, if applicable, re-registering your vehicle. With a little lead time and the right support, most of these steps are straightforward. Our multilingual team is familiar with the most common questions around relocating to the Costa del Sol and is happy to put you in touch with specialist advisors when needed.