Your First 90 Days in Spain — The Essential Checklist for New Arrivals

Published by Mediter Real Estate | Expat Life & Guides | Updated 2026

Congratulations — you have decided to move to Spain. Whether you are relocating to the sun-drenched Costa Blanca, the vibrant Costa del Sol, the affordable Costa Cálida or the unspoilt Costa Almería, the first 90 days are critical. Get the paperwork right, settle the essentials, and you will avoid months of frustration later.

This guide walks you through everything in chronological order — from the documents you need before you leave home, to the visa decisions you face at the 90-day mark.

Before You Arrive — Preparation Phase

The work starts before you board the plane. Arriving without the right documents is the single most common mistake new expats make.

Essential Documents to Prepare

• Valid passport — check it has at least 6 months' remaining validity
• Birth certificate — obtain a recent copy and have it apostilled
• Marriage certificate (if applicable) — apostilled
• Criminal record certificate — apostilled (required for most visa types)
• Medical certificate — signed by a doctor (required for non-lucrative and other visas)
• Proof of financial means — bank statements, pension statements, employment contracts
• Private health insurance — with full coverage in Spain and no co-pays
• Apostille / Hague Convention stamp — all official documents must be apostilled
• Sworn translations — documents must be translated by a traductor jurado

Visa Planning

Critical note for non-EU citizens: You must apply for your visa at the Spanish consulate in your country of residence before you travel.

Week 1 — The First Critical Steps

1. Empadronamiento (Municipal Registration)

This is your very first stop. The empadronamiento is your registration on the local padrón (municipal census) at your town hall (Ayuntamiento). It proves where you live and is required for almost everything that follows.

What you need:

• Passport or EU ID card
• Proof of address — rental contract, property deed, or a letter from the property owner
• Completed solicitud de empadronamiento form

Tips:

• Many town halls require a cita previa — book online as soon as possible
• Processing: usually same-day
• Ask for several copies of your certificado de empadronamiento

2. NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero)

Your NIE is your foreign identity number in Spain. You need it for virtually everything: buying property, opening a bank account, signing a rental contract, connecting utilities, paying taxes.

How to apply:

• Book a cita previa at your local Oficina de Extranjería or National Police station
• Complete form EX-15
• Bring: passport + photocopy, completed form, proof of reason for NIE, payment (~€12 via Modelo 790)

Appointment availability: This is the single biggest bottleneck. A gestor can handle this for you for €80–€150.

3. Open a Spanish Bank Account

You need a Spanish bank account to pay rent, set up utilities via direct debit, and receive any Spanish income.

Major banks:

• CaixaBank — largest branch network, English-speaking staff in expat areas
• Sabadell — popular in the Valencia and Murcia regions
• Santander — nationwide
• BBVA — good online banking
• Online options: N26, Revolut and Wise are widely used but not substitutes for a Spanish IBAN

What you need: Passport, NIE, empadronamiento certificate, proof of income.

4. Get a Spanish SIM Card

A local number is essential for two-factor authentication and booking citas previas. Main providers: Movistar, Orange, Vodafone, Digi (€10–€15/month), Lycamobile.

Month 1 — Setting Up Your Life

Housing Search

If you have not already secured a property through Mediter Real Estate, month one is the time to find your permanent home.

Rental market tips:

• Budget 1–2 months' deposit plus one month's rent upfront
• Long-term contracts are governed by the LAU — tenants have strong protections up to 5 years
• Use a reputable agent — avoid scams on unverified listings

Utilities Setup

• Electricity: Endesa, Iberdrola or Repsol. Need NIE, bank account and CUPS number
• Water: Municipal water company via the town hall
• Gas: Naturgy or bottled gas (butano) for coastal properties
• Internet: Movistar, Orange, Vodafone, Digi — installation takes 1–2 weeks

Healthcare Registration

Register at your local Centro de Salud. You need: empadronamiento certificate, NIE/TIE, social security number, S1 form (retirees) or proof of employment. You receive a Tarjeta Sanitaria Individual (SIP card) and are assigned a GP.

School Registration (Families)

Spain has public (colegios públicos), semi-private (concertados) and private/international schools. International schools on the Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol offer British, Scandinavian, Dutch and German curricula (€3,000–€12,000+/year).

Start Learning Spanish

• Escuelas Oficiales de Idiomas (EOI): Government-run, €100–€200/year
• Private academies: €50–€150/month
• Intercambio: Free language exchange meetups

Month 2–3 — Getting Established

Driving Licence

EU licences are valid in Spain. Non-EU licences are valid for 6 months from the date you become resident, after which you must exchange or retake the test.

Tax Obligations

If you spend 183+ days/year in Spain, you become a tax resident. Engage a asesor fiscal early for IRPF, Modelo 720 (overseas assets over €50,000), and the Beckham Law.

Building Your Social Network

• Join local Facebook expat groups
• Attend meetups, sports clubs, community events
• Visit British/Scandinavian clubs

The 90-Day Decision — What Happens Next?

EU/EEA Citizens

Register on the Registro Central de Extranjeros within 3 months to get the green Certificado de Registro.

Non-EU Citizens

Apply for your TIE (residency card) within 30 days of arrival.

Common Bureaucratic Pitfalls

• Cita previa frustration: Check booking systems multiple times daily, try at 8:00, 9:00 and 14:00
• Regional variations: Rules differ by autonomous community — always verify locally
• Translation requirements: Only traductor jurado translations are accepted (€30–€80/page)
• Digital Certificate: Get one from FNMT as early as possible for online government access

Your 90-Day Timeline Summary

Let Mediter Real Estate Help You Settle In

Moving to a new country is exciting — but the paperwork does not have to be overwhelming. Mediter Real Estate does not just find your dream property. We connect you with trusted local gestors, translators, banks and service providers across the Costa Blanca, Costa Cálida, Costa del Sol and Costa Almería.

From your first viewing to your first empadronamiento — we are with you every step of the way.