Spain/Arrival

Practical information on getting documentation, ID cards, and daily necessities.

Communication

Cell phones & SIM cards

See also: Cell_Phones_and_Connectivity

• Pay-as-you-go SIMs are widely available on many street corners.
• Subscription plans are available for those who have a NIE.

Spain's country code is +34.

Transport/Travel

Most Spaniards get by on public transit, but those who live in the suburbs own their own cars.

Spain's public transit system is wide-reaching and well-connected, though, depending on the autonomous community, regional rail may be less reliable (e.g. in Catalonia, regional rail run by Renfe, the national rail network, is often delayed).

Car rentals are widely available and driving is on the right-hand side, so will feel comfortable to Americans. However, parking is difficult to come by in the cities.

Public Transport

Intercity tickets are available on [1]

There are no national rail passes but communities like Catalonia have affordable monthly passes.

Driving

Driving is very similar to the US, just with different signage and the use of the metric system.

It's only necessary to drive in rural areas. Most cities and suburbs are well connected.

US licenses are accepted for short-term car rentals at tourist-centered car agencies. You will need a Spanish license to drive long-term.

Biking

Spain's cities are slowly building out biking infrastructure. Barcelona in particular has had a huge leap forward in bike lane construction under Mayor Ada Colau, but bike parking is still catching up.

Some cities have bike share systems. In Barcelona the public bikeshare is called Bicing, which requires a NIE to sign up for. Other providers like Lime are available for tourists but are more expensive.

Cycling in Barcelona is safe as drivers are courteous. Outside of the urban area, however, gets more dangerous.

Money

Cards are very commonly accepted, but some professionals, such as taxi drivers, appreciate cash.

Tipping is not expected, and many times you will not be given the option to tip when paying by card, unless you're at a touristy joint where they know they can get foreigners to tip. For cash purchases, it's common courtesy to round up to the next Euro or two. Checks are not used.

For wire transfers into and within Spain you will need to know the receiver's IBAN and SWIFT code. See Money#Options_for_Transferring_Funds_Internationally on how to get money into Spain.

Bizum is Spain's equivalent to Zelle.

• How to open a bank account:

Shopping for necessities (groceries etc)

In Spain, there are definitely big box-type stores in the suburbs, but urban areas are still teeming with small, independent shops and small chains.

Almost all businesses take credit cards with cash becoming an exception.

Opening hours

This is probably the most difficult piece to figure out and with stores completely shuttered at various times throughout the day, it's difficult to get a full picture of what businesses are available in an area without repeated visits.

Generally, groceries, government services, and banks open at 9am.

Many businesses take a break from about 2-4pm but the actual hours vary by business. Some are open through the "siesta."

With the afternoon break, this means many businesses will stay open from 3 or 4 until 8 or 9pm.

Most big box and mall-type stores are open most of the day.

Pretty much everything except for big box stores, a select few restaurants, and bodegas completely close on Sundays.

August Vacation

In the hottest days of summer (and when the most tourists flood into Spain), most Spaniards leave for most or all of the month of August. This means many businesses will be completely closed for the month.

Where to find everyday items

• Hardware: Ferreteria, Bauhaus
• Closest thing to a Super Target: Carrefour
• Appliances: Calbet
• Department store: Corte Ingles
• Dollar store/odds and ends: Anything called "Bazaar"

Housing

• Where to look for places to rent/buy (websites, agents, ..)

• What documents will I need?

• What to look out for (scams, best practices)

• What are renter protections in the country?

• What are the costs of estate agents, needed money for deposits, etc.

Utilities

• how does one get/pay for water/electricity/internet…

Documentation

Once you secure a visa/permit to enter Spain, there are several identity numbers and documents you'll need. Which documents you get and the order in which you're able to obtain these depends on how you enter Spain.

Here's a summary of what each document gets you:

• NIE: Mostly for tax purposes but can act as an ID on many gov and business forms
• Digital Certificate: This crazy thing lets you log into government websites
• Empadronamiento: Reigistration with the town hall that unlocks government services like health care, library card, etc.
• TIE: Official ID and travel in/out of Spain
• NUSS: Social security (pension, welfare, healthcare)
• Vida Laboral: Proof of employment history in Spain, some landlords require it
• TSI: ID card for access to public healthcare
• EHIC: European Health Insurance Card, giving you access to healthcare in any EU country

NIE

A Número de Identificación de Extranjero (NIE) is an ID number assigned to a foreigner. You receive this number when your non-tourist visa, such as a residence or work permit, is approved. It can also be obtained when buying real estate or conducting business in Spain.

This should not be confused with a TIE (see below)

Digital Certificate / Cl@ve

You will notice many government websites require a digital certificate to log in. The idea sounds cool - use existing computer operating system and internet browser technologies to seamlessly prove identity. But in practice it's extremely confusing.

There are services like Cl@ve that attempt to create an easier alternative to the digital certificate by offering a username/password + SMS 2FA login. However, redditors claim a digital certificate enables access to more services. (Aster: and it seems to be true, adding a beneficiary to social security via the web doesn't seem to be possible without a digital certificate)

All told, your certificate is just a file containing an SSL certificate signed by the Spanish mint. The way you obtain it is by downloading the Certificado Digital app, proving your identity, and downloading the file from the app onto your computer.

If you already have your TIE, you can simply tap your card on your phone when the app asks you to. If you don't have a TIE yet, you can use the app to generate a request for an in-person identity verification at any Agència Tributària (tax agency) office. They will give you a number to enter into the app that allows you to download the certificate.

Empadronamiento

Known as the "padron" for short, this is your registration of residence with your local town hall. This assigns your local Centre d'Atenció Primària (CAP - the public "urgent care" facility), schools, and other services.

This document is required if you are staying in Spain longer than 180 days.

Documents needed:

In theory, you need your NIE, your passport, proof that you live at an address, and proof that the address actually exists. In contributor Aster's experience at a Barcelona town hall, only her passport and proof that she lived at her address were required.

For proof that you live at an address, they will accept a lease with your name + signature on it. For proof of a valid address, they would ask for a utility bill (which can be in your landlord's name).

TIE

If you are staying in Spain longer than 6 months, you are required to obtain a Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE) from the National Police Cuerpo de Policía Nacional (CNP). It proves your legal residence in Spain and allows you to travel in and out of the country without needing a Schengen visa attached to your passport. The TIE will show your residency status and NIE. For all the details, see the Reddit TIE guide Having this card also unlocks a lot of services like savings accounts nad credit cards at a Spanish bank.

There are two steps: getting fingerprinted and picking up the card when it's done.

Step One: Fingerprinting

The first step involves filling out some forms, paying a tax, and taking your fingerprints at the station. You must make an appointment for fingerprinting. It's extremely difficult to find appointments for fingerprinting, so expect weeks of searching and times that are only available weeks in the future. There seems to be a regular batch released every Thursday between 2pm and 3:30pm. Demand is so high that appointments are booked up extremely quickly. Some folks opt to hire gestors or automated bots to schedule appointments. It's an unfortunate situation where paying money gets you access.

Once you get an appointment scheduled, PRINT OUT THE CONFIRMATION. You can always re-print the confirmation by looking up the status of your appointment using your confirmation number.

A requirement for your TIE is paying the tax. You have to fill out a form online and a PDF with a unique barcode is generated. You then need to go to an ATM and initiate a payment. It will require you to scan the barcode or type in the number and your NIE. Once paid, you will get a receipt. DON'T LOSE THIS.

Documents Needed:

• Printed confirmation (show this to the guard)
• Form EX-17 or MI-TIE (depending on visa type), signed (original and copy)
• Paid tax form - Tasa modelo 790 Código 012, signed (original and copy)
• Receipt from paid tax (original and copy)
• Photo for your ID - be aware that you need a 32x26mm photo which is smaller than the common passport photo size. May Foto stores in Spain offer this photo service.
• Original passport and full copy (including your entry stamp into Spain/Schengen area)

Note: as of 2025, an Empadronamiento is no longer required.

At this appointment they'll give you a confirmation of your application. DON'T LOSE THIS!

Step Two: Getting Your Card

Generally, cards are ready for pickup in 30-40 days. You can check the status of your card by going back to the appointment website and try to schedule an appointment for TIE card pickup at the police station site they tell you to pick it up from in your fingerprinting application confirmation. You don't actually need to schedule this appointment but when you try to book it, the Cita Previa website will tell you which lot number is available (in year/lot format, e.g. 2025/327). If that number is greater than or equal to the lot number listed on your application confirmation, then your card is ready.

When you pick up your card, bring the following:

• Your fingerprinting application confirmation
• Your passport

NUSS

A Número de la Seguridad Social (NUSS) is assigned to anyone who can access the social security (healthcare, retirement, unemployment, etc) system. If you are on a student or work permit you will be granted access. You are required to provide your NUSS to any Spanish employer.

Once you have a NIE you can use that number and your passport to sign up for your NUSS here. You'll need to download the TA1 form, fill it out, sign it in ink, scan, and upload the form when you apply online.

Since the NUSS controls access to healthcare, any family members who also need access need to be added as beneficiaries of the one who is employed. To do this online you'll need to install the clunky Autofirma app. Aster had luck with providing her digital certificate file to the app. It was unable to read certificates from the system keychain or from her browser.

Vida Laboral

If you are employed by a Spanish company or organization, your employer will register your job in the social security system. Since the government tracks this, they can provide your full official job history report. You can log into the social security webiste (requires a Digital Certificate or Cl@ve) to download this document any time.

Some landlords require a Vida Laboral as part of the lease application process.

TSI

A Tarjeta Sanitaria Individual (TSI) is your health card which gives you access to the public health care system. You can get this card if you are enrolled in social security (which for foreigners means you are a student or have an employment contract with a Spanish company). If you aren't enrolled in social security you'll need private health insurance.

In order to get this card you need to register with your town hall (see Empadronamiento above). You can then apply for the card online.

Accessing Healthcare

There are 4 levels of healthcare in Spain:

• Farmacias offer OTC and prescription meds, as well as informal advice for minor maladies.
• Centre d'Atenció Primària (CAP) is for non-emergency visits.
• Hospitals provide emergency rooms.
• Specialists provide specialist consultations.

Farmacia

These are located on nearly every block in large cities. They do not, however, provide any traditional or herbal medicines.

CAP

These are very efficient public health centers. You check in at the front desk and tell them what is troubling you. They will assign you a room to visit at a certain time (could be just a 15min wait on a slow day). When the doctor is ready they will open the door and call for you. The doctor can then recommend a specialist, provide prescriptions, and post a notification to your employer (if employed by a Spanish company) to excuse your absence.

If you have social security (public health insurance) these visits are free. If you have private insurance you will pay a small fee.

In Catalonia, on your first visit, they will initiate the registration for web/mobile access to the patient portal, La Meva Salut.

Hospitals

Aster's coworker mentioned that going to the emergency room with private insurance is not something that will have astronomical costs like in the US.

Specialists

Some specialists work for the public system but waiting times to see them can be longer than seeing a private specialist. Some private clinics include Barnaclinic and Privaclinic.