Moving to Spain: the ultimate expat guide with everything you need to know

Spain is chosen every year by thousands of expats looking to settle down, drawn by its Mediterranean climate, rich cultural life, and high quality of living. However, dealing with administrative red tape for the first time or navigating a shifting rental market can bring a lot of uncertainty.

At Fotocasa, we explain step by step the paperwork you need to sort out upon arrival if you are thinking about moving to Spain, which visas remain valid in 2026, and how much it costs to live in Spain in 2026.

What are the first mandatory steps you need to handle as soon as you land in Spain?

What are the mandatory administrative procedures upon arriving in Spain?

Upon arriving in Spain, you must immediately sort out your NIE, your TIE, your municipal empadronamiento, and open a local bank account to operate legally.

Completing these documents in the correct order will save you weeks of unnecessary delays:

1. Obtaining the NIE (Foreigner Identity Number): this is the basic tax code assigned to foreign nationals. You will need it to work, set up utility contracts, and sign a lease agreement. It is processed at police stations or at the Spanish consulate in your home country. Tip: book your appointment well in advance.
2. Registering on the municipal padrón (empadronamiento): the municipal padrón is a registry used by town halls to record everyone living in the municipality. When you arrive in Spain, you must register on the municipal census of the town or city where you will be living. To register, you need to submit your rental contract and passport. This certificate is mandatory for enrolling children in school and applying for your health card.
3. Opening a bank account: traditional banks usually require a passport and NIE. Digital banks like Wise or Revolut are also good options to handle initial transfers and living expenses while your residency is being processed.
4. Applying for the Public Health Card: once registered on the padrón, you can go to your local municipal health centre (CAP). Workers registered with Social Security have free access to the public healthcare system.
5. Obtaining the TIE: the TIE (Foreigner Identity Card) is the physical card with your photo that proves your legal residency status in Spain. It is mandatory for non-EU citizens staying for more than six consecutive months.

Which visas and residence permits do you need to move to Spain in 2026?

European Union citizens can stay and work freely in Spain for up to three months without carrying out additional procedures. After 90 days, they are legally required to register with the Central Registry of Foreign Nationals to obtain their green residency certificate.

For citizens of non-EU countries (such as the United States or Latin America), visa-free visits are strictly limited to 90 days within any 180-day period. Staying longer requires applying for a visa in advance at the Spanish consulate.

Visa options for non-EU residents

• Digital Nomad Visa: aimed at remote workers employed by companies outside Spain. It requires proof of a minimum monthly income of €2,849 and private health insurance with no copayments.
• Non-Lucrative Residence Visa: geared towards retirees or individuals with passive income and investments who will not be working in the local job market. It requires proof of personal funds or savings of at least around €28,800 per year.
• Employee Work Visa: processed directly by a Spanish company hiring the professional prior to their arrival.
• Student Visa: valid for recognised official courses, renewable annually, and linked to the duration of the academic curriculum.

What is the maximum amount of time I can stay in Spain in 2026?

What is the property market like in Spain for renting or buying in August 2026?

The average rental price in Spain stands at €14.36/m² per month as of August 2026, according to official data from the Fotocasa Real Estate Index. This represents a monthly outlay of €1,148.80 per month for a standard 80 m² flat, although prices vary significantly depending on the region.

Rental prices by Autonomous Community in August 2026

Source: Fotocasa Real Estate Index, August 2026 data.

As shown in the table above, Madrid has the highest prices on the market at €21.78/m² per month, followed by the Balearic Islands (€20.13/m²) and Catalonia (€19.89/m²). In contrast, the lowest rents are found in Extremadura (€7.86/m²) and Castilla-La Mancha (€9.23/m²).

Property sale prices by Autonomous Community in August 2026

Buying a home in Spain costs an average of €3,166/m² in August 2026, putting a typical 80 m² flat at €253,270, according to Fotocasa data.

Source: Fotocasa Real Estate Index, August 2026 data.

As shown in the table above, the Balearic Islands (€5,443/m²) and Madrid (€5,431/m²) record the highest sale values in the country. At the other end of the scale, the most affordable options are found in Extremadura (€1,380/m²) and Castilla-La Mancha (€1,436/m²).

What guarantees will landlords ask for to rent a flat in Spain?

Landlords in Spain typically ask for recent payslips or current employment contracts to verify financial solvency.

In addition, they will ask for one month’s mandatory security deposit and up to two months of additional guarantees. In some cases, they may also ask for a guarantor. By law, every lease agreement must be executed via a formal written contract.

Requirements for moving to Spain with pets

If you are moving to Spain with pets, keep in mind that the maximum authorised number is five pets per person for non-commercial purposes. Here are the key essentials you need to know when moving to Spain with your pet:

• Identification: dogs, cats, and ferrets require a microchip and a rabies vaccine administered at least 21 days before travel.
• Non-listed countries: require a rabies antibody titration test followed by a mandatory three-month waiting period before travelling.
• Insurance: the Animal Welfare Law 7/2023 requires third-party liability insurance for all dogs in Spain.

Moving to Spain with your pet? A step-by-step guide to procedures and regulations in 2026

How much does it cost to live in Spain per month in 2026?

The estimated monthly budget for a single person in Spain is €1,979 per month, while for a family of four it reaches €3,882 per month, according to Expatistan data updated for 2026.

In major cities, living expenses range between €1,800 and €2,200, whereas in medium-sized cities they drop to €1,250 – €1,650 per month, according to the March 2026 CalculonPro study.

Basic monthly household expenses

Source: Consumer Spending Report 2026, Roams.

As the table above shows, fixed household costs for utility bills and food average around €560 per month. To this, you must add rent or mortgage payments, which make up the largest share of the budget, alongside leisure, unexpected expenses, and so on.

Additionally, if you stay in the country for more than 183 calendar days, you become a tax resident and are required to pay tax on your worldwide income.

How can you adapt to daily routines and local customs in Spain?

Spanish daily schedules run noticeably later than in other European countries. Adapting to these local rhythms is key to settling in smoothly and feeling at home in your neighbourhood.

• Business hours: local convenience stores and shops typically open from 10:00 to 14:00 and reopen from 17:00 to 20:30. In contrast, large shopping centres and department stores remain open continuously through midday. In central or highly touristy areas, shop hours also tend to run without a break and may close later. Most businesses post their operating hours on platforms like Google Maps.
• Banks and town halls: customer service is usually provided in the mornings, from 8:30 to 14:00, and they may operate on reduced hours or close earlier during the summer (especially in August).
• Mealtimes: lunch, the main meal of the day, is typically eaten between 14:00 and 15:30. Dinner is usually pushed back until 21:00 or 21:30 onwards.
• The siesta: although the Spanish siesta is world-famous, a daily nap does not really exist in corporate environments. In smaller towns, the break between 14:00 and 17:00 is usually spent having lunch with family and staying out of the heat, or it simply serves practical purposes (shops in Spain stay open later in the evening, so workers need a midday break).

Integrating into your new Spanish neighborhood: local customs and shopping hours (The definitive guide)

Settling down successfully in Spain requires planning your housing budget so that it does not exceed 30% to 35% of your net monthly income. Moving to high-demand cities such as Madrid or Barcelona, where rent exceeds €1,500 for an 80 m² flat, makes it advisable to have a net individual monthly income of at least €2,200. On the other hand, Mediterranean destinations like Valencia, Alicante, or Malaga offer a viable balance with monthly incomes between €1,600 and €1,900.

What about you? Which part of moving to Spain caused you the most stress when you first arrived?