Moving to Spain: Your Step-by-Step Relocation Guide
Spain's Digital Nomad Visa, launched in 2023, is one of the best options available for US remote workers who want to live in Europe. It lets you work for non-Spanish companies while based in Spain for up to a year, extendable to five. You'll need to show income of roughly 200% of Spain's minimum wage, private health insurance, and a clean criminal record. It's more paperwork than some other routes, but the payoff is a legal, stable base in one of the most liveable countries in Europe. Your first task after arriving is getting your NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero). You need it for almost everything: opening a bank account, signing a lease, registering for tax, and most other administrative steps. NIE appointments at the Policía Nacional book up fast in Barcelona and Madrid, so apply as early as possible. Don't wait until you need it for something specific because that's exactly when you won't be able to get an appointment quickly.
Spain's public healthcare system (SNS) is excellent, but Digital Nomad Visa holders need private health insurance to qualify for the visa and for the first period of residency. Once you're established and contributing through employment, you can access the public system. On the rental side, Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, and Seville each have their own market dynamics and local registration quirks. Barcelona and Madrid in particular move fast, so have your NIE and bank account sorted before you start seriously searching for a place.
Your Spain move: a rough timeline
Leaving
Before you travel
- Apply for your visa at the Spanish consulate (Digital Nomad, non-lucrative, or other route) and allow several weeks for processing
- Arrange private health insurance that meets visa requirements
- Gather passport, criminal-background checks, proof of income, and accommodation where required
- If bringing a pet: start the EU health certificate and any titer test early - allow 3 to 4 months
Landing
First 90 days
- Book and attend your NIE appointment at Policia Nacional (or complete consulate steps if you applied from the US)
- Register on the padron (empadronamiento) at your local ayuntamiento - needed for healthcare, schools, and many contracts
- Open a Spanish bank account with your NIE and passport (some banks also want empadronamiento)
- Enrol children at school once you have NIE and address proof
Living
Settling in
- Exchange or extend your visa for a TIE (foreigner ID card) if your route requires it
- Access the public health system (SNS) once you meet contribution or registration rules; keep private cover until then
- Register as autonomo if you invoice Spanish clients or need Spanish self-employment status
- File and pay taxes via the Agencia Tributaria as your situation requires
Leaving
Before you travel
- Apply for your visa at the Spanish consulate (Digital Nomad, non-lucrative, or other route) and allow several weeks for processing
- Arrange private health insurance that meets visa requirements
- Gather passport, criminal-background checks, proof of income, and accommodation where required
- If bringing a pet: start the EU health certificate and any titer test early - allow 3 to 4 months
Landing
First 90 days
- Book and attend your NIE appointment at Policia Nacional (or complete consulate steps if you applied from the US)
- Register on the padron (empadronamiento) at your local ayuntamiento - needed for healthcare, schools, and many contracts
- Open a Spanish bank account with your NIE and passport (some banks also want empadronamiento)
- Enrol children at school once you have NIE and address proof
Living
Settling in
- Exchange or extend your visa for a TIE (foreigner ID card) if your route requires it
- Access the public health system (SNS) once you meet contribution or registration rules; keep private cover until then
- Register as autonomo if you invoice Spanish clients or need Spanish self-employment status
- File and pay taxes via the Agencia Tributaria as your situation requires
What Relocora covers for your Spain move
Visa & immigration
Digital Nomad Visa for remote workers; Non-Lucrative Visa for those with passive income; Student Visa for university enrollment.
NIE registration
Apply for your NIE (foreigner identity number) at a Policia Nacional station or Spanish consulate. Required for almost all administrative tasks.
Housing
Rental applications typically require your NIE, passport, proof of income (3 months payslips or bank statements), and sometimes an Aval (guarantor).
Banking
Spanish banks (Santander, BBVA, CaixaBank) require NIE and passport. Some accept non-residents; others require a residence certificate (Empadronamiento).
Healthcare
Private health insurance required for the Digital Nomad Visa. After contributing to Social Security, you gain access to the public health system (SNS).
Autonomo (self-employment)
If you plan to freelance for Spanish clients, you will need to register as Autonomo with Social Security and the Agencia Tributaria (tax agency).
Schools & education
Free state schooling is available from age 3. Enrolment requires your NIE, empadronamiento (municipal registration), and health card. State schools in Catalonia, the Basque Country, and Galicia often teach partly in the regional language. Private international schools (British, American, and IB curriculum) are widespread in coastal and expat-heavy areas.
Pets
Spain follows EU pet travel rules. US pets need an ISO-standard microchip, a rabies vaccination, and an EU health certificate endorsed by USDA APHIS. A rabies antibody titer test may be required depending on vaccination history. Certain larger breeds may require a muzzle in public spaces in some regions.
How Relocora helps
Personalised checklist
Get a step-by-step plan built around your destination, nationality, household, and employment. Every task in the right order.
Document organisation
Link files from your Google Drive and keep everything in one place. No uploads to Relocora; your files stay in your Drive.
Application packs
Build rental, bank, or school application packs from linked documents, as a shared folder in your Drive or a single PDF.
Frequently asked questions about moving to Spain
- What is Spain's Digital Nomad Visa?
- Spain launched the Digital Nomad Visa in 2023. It allows remote workers employed by companies outside Spain to live and work there for up to a year (renewable up to 5 years). You need to earn at least 200% of the minimum wage and hold private health insurance.
- What is an NIE and how do I get one?
- The NIE (Numero de Identificacion de Extranjero) is your Spanish foreigner identification number. Apply at a Policia Nacional station or the Spanish consulate before you leave the US. Slots fill quickly, so apply as early as possible.
- How much money do I need to move to Spain?
- Digital Nomad Visa applicants need to demonstrate income of at least ~2,646 EUR/month (200% of minimum wage). Budget an additional 3 to 6 months of expenses for setup costs (deposits, insurance, admin fees).
- Do I need to speak Spanish?
- English is widely spoken in major cities and tourist areas, but Spanish is essential for most administrative tasks. The Relocora AI Coach can help you decode Spanish official letters you don't understand.
- What documents do I need to rent in Spain?
- Typically: NIE, passport, proof of income (3 months bank statements), and sometimes a Spanish guarantor (Aval) or a larger deposit. Relocora generates a ready-to-use rental application pack from your linked documents.
From the Relocora blog: Spain
Practical guides and real-world advice for your Spain move, written by people who have done it.
Read Spain guides on the blog