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Living in Spain

Living in Spain

Documents and admin, healthcare, money and work, and everyday setup — organized by what you need to sort out next.

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Documents and admin

Padrón / town hall registration

Town hall address registration — the foundation for TIE, healthcare, and most admin steps.

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NIE number

Your foreigner ID number for property, banking, tax, work, and most official procedures in Spain.

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TIE card after VISA approval

Physical card for non-EU citizens after permission is approved.

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Social Security number

Número de afiliación — needed for employment, self-employment, and healthcare access.

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Cl@ve or FNMT digital certificate

FNMT certificate or Cl@ve digital identity for online government portals and e-signatures.

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Exchange your driving licence

Exchange your foreign driving licence for a Spanish one before your deadline runs out.

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Health

Public health card

Regional public health card (SIP, TSI, or equivalent) for GP, referrals, and prescriptions.

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Private health insurance

Private insurance required for some visas and popular for faster specialist access.

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European Health Insurance Card

EU health card for medically necessary care during temporary stays in other European countries.

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Money and work

Bank account and banking basics

Spanish bank account for salary, rent, utilities, and tax — needed within weeks of arriving.

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Renting a home in Spain

How to search, prepare documents, check contracts, and avoid risky payments.

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Job search in Spain

SEPE, InfoJobs, and LinkedIn are the main channels; EU citizens work freely, non-EU need authorization.

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Taxes and tax address

Tax residency, annual IRPF return, and the Beckham Law option for recent arrivals.

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Vida laboral (Informe de Vida Laboral)

Official report covering your complete Spanish employment and contribution history.

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Everyday setup

Phone number and internet

Spanish SIM needed for bank verification, Cl@ve PIN, and government SMS codes.

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Last reviewed: July 2026