Moving to Spain can feel like one enormous project. But it becomes more manageable when you separate what genuinely needs to be arranged before you leave from what can wait until after you arrive.
Depending on your circumstances, that may include a visa or residence application, official documents, healthcare cover, tax planning and temporary or long-term accommodation.
The aim is not to organize every detail of your future life in advance. It is to identify the things that could cause delays, stress or expensive mistakes if you leave them too late.
This moving to Spain checklist is part 1 of our 8-part guide, in which we break down the steps and walk you through what you’ll need to know, with handy resources for more detailed information.
😳 Did you miss the previous post in this series? Read the intro to the guide here → Moving to Spain: The Practical Newcomer’s Guide
How much help do you need?
There are several ways to approach a move to Spain:
- Full-service support: A relocation company can coordinate areas such as immigration, accommodation, schools and settling in.
- Mostly independent: You organize the move yourself but consult specialists, such as immigration lawyers, tax advisers or property professionals, when needed.
- A combination: You handle the straightforward tasks and seek advice when the process is complicated or the consequences of getting it wrong are significant.
There is no single right approach. Your nationality, budget, family situation, Spanish level and the complexity of your move will all affect the support you need.
Before hiring a professional, ask what is included, what you will still need to do yourself and whether the provider regularly works with international clients moving to Spain.
With that in mind, here is our Spain relocation checklist of the main things worth preparing before you move.
1. Visas and Immigration
One of the first things to establish is what permission you need to live in Spain.
The process depends on your nationality, reason for moving and personal circumstances. EU/EEA and Swiss citizens generally follow a different route from people moving under Spain’s immigration rules for non-EU nationals.
If you need a visa or residence authorization, start early. Some applications must be made before you arrive, and gathering the required documents can take time.
Common routes for non-EU nationals include:
- Non-lucrative residence visa: For people who want to live in Spain without working.
- International telework visa (digital nomad visa): For qualifying professionals working remotely, mainly for businesses outside of Spain.
- Employment-based residence: For people moving to work for a Spanish employer.
- Self-employed residence: For people planning to establish a business or work for themselves in Spain.
- Study routes: For eligible studies or training.
These are not the only options, and requirements can change. Always check current official guidance rather than choosing a route based solely on a blog post or expat forum.
Documents from outside of Spain may need to be legalized or apostilled, which allows certain public documents to be recognized in another country, and some may require an official Spanish translation.
Before you move, check:
✅ Whether you need a visa or residence authorization
✅ Which immigration route fits your situation
✅ Whether you must apply before arriving in Spain
✅ Which documents you need to obtain in your home country
✅ Whether documents need legalization, an apostille or an official translation
✅ Whether professional immigration advice would be worthwhile
Official resource:
- Spanish Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration (Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones): Official information on living in Spain, visas and residence requirements.
→ Need immigration or relocation help? See our guide: Who Can Help You Move to Spain? A Guide to Relocation Services & Professionals.
Helpful Tip: Translating Spanish Websites
Many official websites are mainly in Spanish. If you use the Chrome browser, you can translate most pages by clicking on the Translate icon in the address bar, while Chromium-based browsers such as Brave or Microsoft Edge can install and use the Google Translate extension.
Automatic translation is useful for navigating a site, but do not rely on it alone for legal, tax or administrative wording. If something matters to your application or finances, confirm it with a qualified professional.
2. Housing
You don’t always need to arrange a permanent home before you arrive. Many newcomers start with short-term accommodation, giving them time to view properties in person, explore neighbourhoods and decide where they want to live.
If you plan to rent, check what documents landlords or agencies may ask for. As a foreigner, you will be asked for identification, proof of income or employment, references and evidence that you can afford the rent. If you do not yet have Spanish employment history or local paperwork, ask what alternatives they will accept.
And don’t focus only on the property itself. Your neighborhood will shape your daily life, so think about transport, shops, healthcare, schools, green spaces and how easily you can reach the places you use regularly.
Before you move, check:
✅ Whether to arrange long-term housing before arrival or begin with short-term accommodation
✅ Whether renting or buying makes sense for your plans and budget
✅ What documentation you’ll need in order to rent
✅ Your likely deposit, fees and initial housing costs
✅ Whether you will use a property portal, estate agent, property finder or relocation company
✅ Whether you can view the property and neighborhood before committing
✅ How well the area works for transport, services, schools and daily life
Useful resources:
- Idealista: A major Spanish property portal for researching rentals, sales prices and availability.
- Spanish Ministry of Housing and Urban Agenda (Ministerio de Vivienda y Agenda Urbana de España): Official information and resources related to housing and renting in Spain.
→ Not sure where to live or need help finding a home? See our guides:
- Where Should You Live in Spain? How to Choose the Right Place for You
- Who Can Help You Move to Spain? A Guide to Relocation Services & Professionals
3. Money and Taxes
Before moving, consider both the cost of the move and what your first few months in Spain will look like financially. Deposits, temporary accommodation, moving expenses, insurance and transport can add up quickly, so leave room in your budget for the unexpected.
Most people living in Spain will find it practical to open a Spanish bank account for rent, utilities and everyday payments, so check what documentation your chosen bank may require. If you will regularly transfer money between currencies, compare exchange rates and fees using a service such as Wise.
Tax is an area where assumptions can be costly. A move to Spain may affect where you are tax resident and how income, investments, property and business interests in different countries are treated. If your finances span more than one country, getting personalized advice before you move can help you understand your obligations.
Before you move, check:
✅ Your moving costs, first-month expenses and emergency buffer
✅ The likely cost of housing and everyday life in your chosen area
✅ How you will access money during your first weeks
✅ When and how to open a Spanish bank account
✅ How you will transfer money between Spain and your home country
✅ Whether moving may affect your tax-residence status
✅ Whether overseas income, assets or business interests create cross-border tax questions
✅ Whether you should speak to a tax adviser before becoming resident
Useful resources:
- Spanish Tax Agency (Agencia Tributaria): Official information on tax residence in Spain.
- Bank of Spain — Banking Customer Portal (Banco de España): Consumer information about Spanish bank accounts, banking services and customer rights.
→ Need professional tax or financial advice? See our guide: Who Can Help You Move to Spain? A Guide to Relocation Services & Professionals
4. Healthcare and Insurance
Before moving to Spain, establish how you will be covered for healthcare from the day you arrive and how you will access longer-term care.
Spain has a public healthcare system — rated among the best in Europe — but access depends on factors such as your employment, residence status, nationality and social-security coverage. Some newcomers can access public healthcare through work or another entitlement route; others may initially need private health insurance.
A European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is for medically necessary state healthcare during a temporary stay in another participating country. It is not a substitute for arranging healthcare once Spain becomes your habitual residence. Some eligible people, including certain pensioners and posted workers, may be able to register their healthcare rights through an S1 form.
Private health insurance may also be required for certain visa or residence applications. If this applies to you, make sure the policy meets the requirements of your specific immigration route.
Before you move, check:
✅ What healthcare cover you will have on arrival
✅ Whether you can access Spain’s public healthcare system
✅ Whether you need to register through employment, an S1 form or another route
✅ Whether your visa or residence application requires private health insurance
✅ Whether a proposed policy meets the relevant immigration requirements
✅ What documents prove your healthcare entitlement
✅ Whether you need temporary cover before longer-term arrangements begin
✅ How you will manage regular prescriptions or ongoing treatment
Useful resources
- Spanish Social Security (Seguridad Social): Official information on healthcare entitlement and medical assistance.
- European Commission — European Health Insurance Card: Official information on when the EHIC can be used and its limitations for people moving abroad.
→ Need help with healthcare or insurance requirements? See our guide: Who Can Help You Move to Spain? A Guide to Relocation Services & Professionals
Start Learning Spanish Before You Move
You don’t need to speak fluent Spanish before moving to Spain. But even a basic foundation can make your first weeks easier, whether you are viewing accommodation, dealing with paperwork, shopping, meeting neighbours or asking for help.
Rather than trying to learn everything at once, focus on Spanish for living in Spain — the language you’ll actually use in everyday situations.
Useful scenarios to practice before you move:
- Introducing yourself
- Asking for directions
- Making and changing appointments
- Talking about your accommodation
- Ordering food and drinks
- Shopping and asking basic questions
- Asking for help or clarification
- Understanding common administrative vocabulary
- Talking to neighbours
- Explaining a simple problem
Vetonia tip: Don’t wait until you arrive to start speaking. Even simple phrases and vocabulary can make everyday situations feel much less intimidating — and give you more confidence to keep using Spanish once you’re here. Vetonia offers Spanish for newcomers (one-on-one or group classes).
→ Next post: Your First Weeks in Spain: What to Do After You Arrive
Start learning Spanish for your new life in Spain.
Build confidence with the Spanish you’ll actually need — from finding a home and making appointments to asking for help and handling everyday conversations.