This guide covers everything you need to do when moving to Madrid from another country. It links to a detailed guide for every step.
Before you move
Save enough money
Moving to Madrid costs more than most people expect. Budget at least €3,000 to €5,000 before you arrive. This covers your deposit (usually 2 months rent), your first month of rent, and living costs while you get set up.
Arrange somewhere to stay
Do not sign a long-term lease before you have seen the apartment in person. Rent a short-term flat or stay in an Airbnb for your first few weeks. This gives you time to find the right neighbourhood without being locked in.
Once you are ready to sign a lease, read the rental guide carefully.
How to find an apartment in Madrid
Sort your visa
If you are an EU citizen, you can live and work in Spain without a visa. You still need to register your residence once you arrive.
If you are from outside the EU, you need a visa before you move. The most common options are the work visa, the freelance visa, and the Digital Nomad Visa.
Work visa for Spain Digital Nomad Visa Spain Freelance and autónomo visa for Spain
Your first two weeks
Get a NIE
The Número de Identificación de Extranjero (NIE) is your identification number in Spain. You need it to open a bank account, sign a lease, buy a car, or do almost anything official. Get it as early as possible. Appointments can take 2 to 4 weeks to come through.
Register your address (empadronamiento)
Once you have a fixed address, register it at your local Oficina de Atención a la Ciudadanía. This is called the empadronamiento. You need the certificate it produces for many bureaucratic steps, including applying for your health card and residence permit.
Registration is free and takes about 20 minutes once you have your appointment.
The empadronamiento — how to register your address in Madrid
Open a bank account
You need a Spanish bank account to pay rent by direct debit, set up utilities, and receive a salary. Most banks ask for your NIE and empadronamiento certificate.
If you need an account before your NIE arrives, Revolut and Wise work without one.
How banking works in Spain Best bank accounts for expats in Spain
Your first month
Apply for your residence permit (TIE)
If you are from outside the EU, you need a Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE). This is your physical residence card. Apply within 30 days of arriving in Spain.
EU citizens do not need a TIE. You register at the Central Register of Foreigners instead.
How to apply for a Spanish residence permit (TIE)
Set up your health card
Spain has a public health system. To use it, you need a tarjeta sanitaria (health card). Register at your local health centre with your empadronamiento certificate, NIE, and passport.
How to get a health card (tarjeta sanitaria) in Madrid
Sign a lease and move into your apartment
When you are ready to rent long-term, check the lease carefully before signing. Landlords in Madrid sometimes include clauses that are not legal. Know what you can push back on.
The deposit is usually 2 months cold rent. You get it back when you move out, minus any deductions.
What to check before signing a lease in Spain How the apartment deposit works in Spain
Set up your utilities
Electricity and water bills in Spain are split differently from other countries. The electricity contract is usually in the tenant’s name, but it depends on your lease.
How electric and water bills work in Spain
Your first three months
Learn some Spanish
Madrid is not as English-friendly as some other European capitals. You will struggle at government offices, with landlords, and in daily life if you speak no Spanish at all. Even a basic level helps a lot.
There are hundreds of language schools in Madrid. Prices range from €80 to €300 per month for group classes.
How to learn Spanish in Madrid
Find a doctor
Register with a GP at your local centro de salud (public health centre). This gives you access to referrals, prescriptions, and specialist appointments for free or very low cost.
If you prefer private healthcare, most expats use one of the major mutuas (private health insurers).
How to find English-speaking doctors in Madrid How to use the Spanish public health system (Sanidad)
Sort out transport
Madrid’s public transport is one of the cheapest and best in Europe. A monthly travel pass (the Abono Transporte) costs €54.60 per month for zone A if you are under 26, or €54.60 for all ages as of 2024. The metro covers almost the entire city.
How to use public transit in Madrid How to buy a transport card (Tarjeta de Transporte) in Madrid
Your first year
File your taxes
If you are a tax resident in Spain (meaning you spend more than 183 days per year here), you must file a Spanish tax return. The tax year runs January to December. The filing window opens in April.
How income tax works in Spain (IRPF) How to file your Spanish tax return
Renew your residence permit
TIE cards issued on a one-year visa expire after one year. Renew yours before it expires. Start the process at least 2 months before the expiry date.
How to renew your residence permit in Spain
Register as autónomo (if freelancing)
If you work for yourself in Spain, you must register as autónomo with the Agencia Tributaria and Social Security. This is the Spanish equivalent of being self-employed.
How to become autónomo in Spain
Questions and answers
How long does it take to get settled in Madrid?
Most people need 2 to 3 months before they feel organised. The paperwork in the first month is the hardest part. After that, day-to-day life becomes much easier.
Do I need to speak Spanish to move to Madrid?
No, but it helps. You can survive without it, especially in central areas. Government offices are harder to deal with in English. Most landlords do not speak English either.
Can EU citizens move to Madrid freely?
Yes. EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens can live and work in Spain without a visa. You still need to register your address and, if you plan to stay long-term, register with the Central Register of Foreigners to get your NIE.
What is the biggest mistake people make when moving to Madrid?
Signing a lease before they have seen the apartment in person, and before they understand the neighbourhood. Spend your first few weeks visiting areas before committing.
How much money do I need to move to Madrid?
Budget at least €3,000 to €5,000 before you arrive. This covers the deposit (2 months rent), first month of rent, and living costs while you settle in.
