Moving to Barcelona is one of the best decisions many of my clients have ever made. It is also a long list of paperwork, appointments and unwritten rules, and the order you do things in matters. Here is the checklist I walk people through.
Before you move
1. Choose your residency route. EU citizens can live and work in Spain freely, but must register if staying longer than three months. Non-EU citizens need a visa before arriving. The most common routes are the digital nomad visa (for remote workers), the non-lucrative visa (for people with savings or passive income who won’t work in Spain), a work permit sponsored by a Spanish employer, or a student visa. Spain’s golden visa through property investment closed in 2025.
2. Gather and legalise your documents. Most applications need official documents (criminal record certificates, birth or marriage certificates, degrees) with an apostille and a sworn translation into Spanish. Start early: this step causes most delays.
3. Arrange health insurance. Many visas require private Spanish health insurance with no co-payments.
4. Book somewhere to land. Plan on a furnished stay of one to two months. Searching for a long-term rental is far easier once you are in the city.
Your first weeks in Barcelona
5. Empadronamiento (town hall registration). Register your address with the Ajuntament de Barcelona. You’ll need a rental contract or the owner’s authorisation, and you’ll need this certificate for many later steps.
6. NIE, TIE or EU registration certificate. Your NIE is your foreigner identity number, and you need it for almost everything. Non-EU residents then apply for their TIE card (with fingerprints) within a month of arrival. EU citizens get a certificado de registro. Appointments (cita previa) are famously hard to find in Barcelona. Read my NIE guide.
7. Social Security number. Needed to work, register as self-employed (autónomo) or access public healthcare. If you might qualify for the Beckham Law, the six-month application window starts here.
8. Digital certificate. The certificado digital lets you handle most government paperwork online. It saves hours.
9. Bank account and mobile line. Most banks want your NIE. Some online banks will open an account with just a passport, which can tide you over.
Finding your home
10. Rent smart. Barcelona’s rental market is competitive. Landlords usually want proof of income, a deposit and sometimes extra guarantees, and good flats go within days. Under Spain’s 2023 Housing Law, agency fees for long-term housing rentals are paid by the landlord, not the tenant. Prepare your tenant file (ID, contract or income proof, references) before you start viewing. Explore the neighbourhoods first.
11. Utilities and internet. Transfer electricity, water and gas into your name, and book internet installation early, as it can take a week or two.
Settling in
12. Public health card (CatSalut). Once registered with Social Security and on the padrón, you can get your tarjeta sanitaria and an assigned GP.
13. Schools. International and concertada schools often have waiting lists, and applications for September usually open in spring.
14. Driving licence. Depending on your country, you may need to exchange your licence within a set period after becoming resident. Check this early.
15. Build your life. Spanish or Catalan lessons, a gym, a good hairdresser, the bakery on your corner. This is the part that turns a move into a home.
If this list feels like a lot, that is exactly why I started Your Barcelona Concierge. I handle these steps for you, in the right order, so you can simply arrive. See the relocation packages or book a free 15-minute call.
This article is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change, so always confirm your situation with a qualified lawyer or tax advisor. Diana can introduce you to trusted professionals.
Founder of Your Barcelona Concierge. Born in Romania and raised in Málaga, Diana has worked in real estate since she was sixteen, including ten years in London, and has called Barcelona home for nine years.
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