Spain has long been one of the favourite destinations for Europeans moving abroad: young job seekers, remote workers, families and retirees. Over ten million residents of Spain were born abroad, out of more than 49 million inhabitants. This guide summarises the main steps, mainly for EU citizens; rules change, so always check official sources.
Where to live
- Madrid: the economic capital, with the most job offers but high rents.
- Barcelona: international and creative, with many tech companies, but very expensive housing.
- Valencia, Málaga, Alicante: medium-sized seaside cities popular with remote workers.
- Canary Islands: spring-like climate all year and lower indirect tax (IGIC instead of VAT); popular with retirees and digital nomads.
- Quieter, cheaper cities: Zaragoza, Seville, Granada, Valladolid, Bilbao, Oviedo, A Coruña.
See the cost of living to compare prices.
Documents
EU citizens need no visa, but:
- For stays over three months you must apply for the Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión, the "green certificate", at the Foreigners' Office or police, showing that you work, study or have sufficient resources and health insurance. The certificate carries your NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero), the number you need to work, open an account, sign a lease, buy property and pay tax. Appointments (cita previa) are booked online and can be hard to get in big cities.
- Empadronamiento, registration on the municipal register where you live, is done at the ayuntamiento with your lease or title deed; it is needed for healthcare, schools and many procedures.
- Check whether your home country requires you to register as a resident abroad.
Non-EU citizens need a visa or residence permit appropriate to their situation, such as work, study, non-lucrative residence or the digital nomad visa.
Work, banking and healthcare
As an employee your company registers you with Seguridad Social; if self-employed you become an autónomo (see working in Spain and starting a business). With your NIE you can open a resident bank account. Those working and paying contributions are entitled to public healthcare, run by the autonomous communities: you register at your local health centre and receive a tarjeta sanitaria (see healthcare in Spain). In the first months, or if you are not working, the European Health Insurance Card covers urgent care, or you will need private insurance.
Taxes
You become a tax resident in Spain if you spend more than 183 days a year there or your main economic interests are there. From then on you pay income tax, IRPF, on worldwide income; double taxation treaties prevent paying twice. Workers moving to Spain who have not been resident in the previous five years may, under certain conditions, opt for the special inbound workers' regime, the so-called "Beckham law", with a flat 24% rate on employment income up to 600,000 euros for six years. It is wise to use a gestor or tax adviser.
Housing, cars and schools
- Renting: residential leases usually run up to five years; one month's deposit (fianza) is standard and extra guarantees are often requested. Listings are on Idealista and Fotocasa. To buy, see buying property in Spain.
- Cars: EU driving licences are valid in Spain; if you move, your car must be re-registered with Spanish plates within a short period, paying the related taxes.
- Schools: state schools are free; in bilingual communities teaching is also in Catalan, Basque or Galician. International schools are found in the main cities (see the school system).
For young people, Erasmus, internships and seasonal work are good ways to try before moving.