Moving to Spain Checklist 2026 — Tharros Brokers

🇸🇪 Moving to Spain

Moving to Spain in 2026: The Complete Checklist for Expats & Foreign Buyers

Visas, NIE numbers, healthcare, banking, taxes, and property financing — everything you need to do before, during, and after your move. Updated April 2026.

📅 April 8, 2026 📖 9 min read 📋 Buying Guide ✍️ THARROS Brokers

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Moving to Spain checklist 2026 — doctor with stethoscope and Spanish flag representing healthcare access for expats — Spain’s public healthcare system is ranked among Europe’s best — access depends on your residency and registration status.

Bottom line up front: This moving to Spain checklist covers every step in the right order. Most visa rejections, banking problems, and property purchase delays happen because people skip steps or do them out of sequence — from your first visa application all the way to financing your Spanish property.

Using this moving to Spain checklist, you’ll see that relocating to Spain is one of the most rewarding decisions an expat can make. A life expectancy of 84 years, a world-class healthcare system, 300 days of sunshine, and a cost of living significantly lower than the UK, Netherlands, or Germany. The lifestyle is real — but the paperwork is also real.

Whether you’re relocating permanently, buying a holiday home, or planning a semi-retirement in the sun, this checklist covers everything you need to do — in the right order.

Moving to Spain Checklist: Before You Arrive

📄 Step 1 — Determine Your Visa Route

EU/EEA Citizens — No visa required. You can live and work freely in Spain but must register as a resident if staying more than 90 days.

Non-EU Citizens (UK, US, Canada, Australia etc.) — You must apply for a long-stay visa before arriving if planning to stay beyond 90 days in any 180-day period.

Common visa routes: Non-Lucrative Visa (passive income), Digital Nomad Visa (remote workers), Work Visa (employed by Spanish company), Golden Visa (property investment €500K+).

All long-stay visas require private health insurance with no copayments and no waiting periods as part of the application.

⚠️ Important: Travel insurance is not accepted for residence visa applications. You need a dedicated private health insurance policy from a provider approved by Spanish consulates. Budget €80–€200/month depending on age and coverage level.

Your NIE Number — The Administrative Key to Spain

The NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is your foreigner identification number. You will need it for absolutely everything in Spain — opening a bank account, buying property, paying taxes, registering a vehicle, and getting a mortgage.

🔑 If you’re buying property in Spain, apply for your NIE first. Without it, you cannot sign a purchase contract or mortgage deed at the notary. The process takes 2–8 weeks depending on how you apply (in Spain or via a Spanish consulate in your home country).

Method	Where	Processing Time	Cost
In person in Spain	National Police station (Comisaría)	2–4 weeks	~€10 (Tasa 790)
Via Spanish Consulate abroad	Consulate in your home country	4–8 weeks	Varies by country
Via a Spanish lawyer (power of attorney)	Remotely — lawyer applies on your behalf	2–6 weeks	€150–€400 lawyer fee

Moving to Spain Checklist: Registration After Arrival

🏠 Essential Registrations on Arrival

Empadronamiento (Padrón Municipal) — Register your address at the local town hall (Ayuntamiento). Required for healthcare, schools, and most government services. Takes 1–2 weeks. Bring your passport and rental contract.

TIE Card (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) — Non-EU residents must apply for this residence card within 30 days of visa approval at the Extranjería office. Requires your empadronamiento certificate and proof of insurance. Processing: ~6 weeks.

Tax Identification (NIF) — If you become a tax resident (183+ days/year in Spain), you’ll need to register with the Agencia Tributaria (Spanish Tax Authority) and may need to file quarterly returns.

Social Security Registration — If employed by a Spanish company, your employer registers you. If self-employed (autónomo), you must register yourself and pay monthly contributions (from ~€230/month under the flat-rate scheme for new self-employed).

Healthcare in Spain

Spain’s public healthcare system (Sistema Nacional de Salud) is consistently ranked among Europe’s best — and access is free for those who qualify. The key is understanding which category you fall into.

Status	Healthcare Access	What You Need
Employed (Spanish company)	Full public coverage	Social Security registration by employer
Self-employed (autónomo)	Full public coverage	Register as autónomo + pay monthly contributions
Non-Lucrative Visa holder	Private insurance only	Private policy required for visa
Digital Nomad Visa holder	Private insurance initially	Private policy; can access public after registration
Non-resident property owner	Private insurance	EHIC/GHIC for EU citizens during stays; private for others
Permanent resident	Full public coverage	Empadronamiento + TIE card

💡 For non-resident property buyers: If you’re buying a holiday home or second property without relocating full-time, you won’t automatically access public healthcare during visits. UK citizens can use their GHIC card for necessary treatment. Non-EU buyers should arrange private health insurance for time spent in Spain.

Banking in Spain

Opening a Spanish bank account is essential for paying utility bills, community fees, and mortgage payments. Spanish banks are strict on documentation due to anti-money laundering regulations — come prepared.

🏢 What You Need to Open a Spanish Bank Account

Valid passport — Original, not a copy.

NIE number — Mandatory for residents. Non-residents can open accounts with a passport + proof of foreign tax number.

Proof of income or employment — Last 3 payslips, employment contract, pension statement, or company accounts if self-employed.

Proof of address — Utility bill or rental contract in Spain, or your home country address if applying as a non-resident.

Non-resident certificate — If you’re not yet living in Spain, some banks require a certificate confirming your non-resident status.

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Taxes: What You Need to Know

Key rule: If you spend more than 183 days per year in Spain, you become a Spanish tax resident and are taxed on your worldwide income — not just your Spanish income. This applies even if you have a non-lucrative visa.

Tax Type	Who Pays	Rate / Notes
Income Tax (IRPF)	Tax residents (183+ days)	19%–47% progressive scale on worldwide income
Non-Resident Income Tax (IRNR)	Non-residents with Spanish income/property	24% flat rate (19% for EU/EEA citizens)
Transfer Tax (ITP)	Property buyers (resale)	6%–10% depending on region
VAT (IVA)	New build property buyers	10% across Spain
Wealth Tax	Residents & non-residents with Spanish assets	0.2%–3.5% on assets above €700K threshold
Modelo 720	Tax residents with overseas assets >€50K	Annual declaration to Agencia Tributaria

⚠️ Seek professional advice: Spanish tax law is complex, particularly for expats with income or assets in multiple countries. Always consult a qualified gestor or tax advisor (asesor fiscal) before filing. The above is a general guide only — not tax advice.

Property: Buying vs Renting in Spain

Many expats start with a rental while they explore different regions, then buy once they’ve chosen their area. Others buy immediately — particularly retirees or those with a specific region already in mind.

Region	Avg. Rent (1-bed)	Avg. Purchase Price	Profile
Valencia City	€800–€1,200/mo	€1,800–€3,500/m²	Expats, remote workers, young families
Costa del Sol	€900–€1,800/mo	€2,500–€4,500/m²	Retirees, golf community, established expats
Costa Blanca	€700–€1,200/mo	€1,500–€3,000/m²	UK/Dutch buyers, retirement, relaxed pace
Barcelona	€1,200–€2,500/mo	€3,500–€7,000/m²	International professionals, city lifestyle
Madrid	€1,100–€2,200/mo	€3,000–€6,000/m²	Business hub, international community
Canarias	€700–€1,100/mo	€1,500–€3,000/m²	Year-round warmth, remote workers, retirees

Financing Your Spanish Property as a Non-Resident

One of the most common questions we get at THARROS Brokers is: can I get a Spanish mortgage as a foreigner? The answer is yes — and the process is more straightforward than most people expect.

🏠 How Spanish Mortgages Work for Non-Residents

Maximum LTV — Non-residents can borrow up to 70% of the property value. That means a minimum 30% deposit plus closing costs (typically 10–13% of purchase price).

Residents get better terms — If you’re registered as a Spanish resident, you can borrow up to 80% LTV, reducing the deposit required to 20%.

Fixed vs variable — Fixed rates give payment certainty. Variable rates are tied to the 12-month Euribor (currently 2.799% as of April 2026). Your advisor will help you choose based on your timeline and risk profile.

Documents needed — Last 3 payslips or 2 years’ tax returns, 3 months’ bank statements, passport, NIE number, and details of any existing loans or mortgages.

Pre-approval first — Always get mortgage pre-approval before making an offer on a property. It confirms your budget, strengthens your negotiating position, and avoids disappointment.

The Complete Moving to Spain Checklist: Step by Step

⏱️ When	Task	Priority
3–6 months before	Research and apply for correct visa type	Critical
3–6 months before	Get private health insurance (required for most visas)	Critical
2–4 months before	Apply for NIE number	Critical
2–4 months before	Get mortgage pre-approval if buying property	Critical
1–2 months before	Open Spanish bank account	High
1–2 months before	Arrange long-term rental or complete property purchase	High
On arrival	Register on the Padrón Municipal (empadronamiento)	Critical
Within 30 days	Apply for TIE residence card (non-EU only)	Critical
Within 30 days	Register with local GP (if accessing public healthcare)	Medium
Within 90 days	Register with Agencia Tributaria if self-employed	High
Ongoing	File annual tax returns if tax resident (183+ days)	High
Ongoing	Declare overseas assets via Modelo 720 if applicable	High

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a NIE number to buy property in Spain?

Yes — your NIE number is mandatory to sign any property purchase contract or mortgage deed at the notary. Without it, the transaction cannot legally proceed. Apply as early as possible — processing takes 2–8 weeks depending on your method.

Can I get a Spanish mortgage as a non-resident?

Yes. Non-residents can borrow up to 70% of the property’s appraised value from Spanish banks. You’ll need a minimum 30% deposit plus closing costs of approximately 10–13%. THARROS Brokers works with 12+ Spanish banks and has a 94% approval rate for non-resident applicants.

How long does it take to get a Spanish mortgage?

From application to signing at the notary, the typical timeline is 6–10 weeks. Pre-approval (which is free through THARROS) typically takes 24 hours. Having all your documents ready in advance significantly speeds up the process.

Will I have to pay taxes in both Spain and my home country?

This depends on your residency status and whether a double taxation treaty exists between Spain and your home country. Spain has tax treaties with the UK, US, Canada, Germany, France, Netherlands, and most EU nations. A qualified tax advisor (asesor fiscal) can structure your situation correctly before you move.

What is the empadronamiento and do I really need it?

The empadronamiento is the municipal register of residents — essentially proof that you live at a specific address in Spain. You need it to access public healthcare, enrol children in school, apply for your TIE card, and in some cases to open a bank account. Register at your local Ayuntamiento (town hall) within the first few weeks of arrival.

Can I buy property in Spain without moving there?

Yes — many THARROS clients buy Spanish property as a second home or investment while remaining resident in their home country. As a non-resident buyer, you’ll need a NIE number, a Spanish bank account, and a mortgage suited to non-residents (up to 70% LTV). A Spanish lawyer can manage the purchase on your behalf via power of attorney.

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