Barcelona

Moving to Barcelona

The decision has been made. You’re relocating to Barcelona. You’ve found a place to live and a job. You’re almost ready to take the leap. But there’s a lot to arrange before you can officially move. What do you need to sort out to live in Spain? This article covers everything you need to know about the administrative side of emigrating.

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Important: Get your NIE first

You’ve probably heard of it: the NIE number (Número de Identidad de Extranjero). This number is essential for many things, such as getting insurance, opening a bank account, or even visiting a doctor. And, of course, you’ll need it if you want to work in Spain. You might manage some initial tasks with just your passport, but you’ll soon find that having an NIE is indispensable.

Many people agree that getting an NIE isn’t the smoothest process, so it’s best to start as soon as possible.

If you’re moving to Barcelona as an expat to work for a company, there’s a good chance your employer will assist you in obtaining your NIE. For everyone else, here’s a step-by-step guide. Please note: this information is only relevant for individuals with a European passport.

Getting your NIE from your home county

If you’re still more than two months away from moving to Barcelona and know you’ll be staying long-term, you can try to get your NIE at the nearest Spanish consulate or embassy. Contact the relevant institution, and they’ll inform you about the documents you’ll need.

Tip: Appointments at consulates often fill up far in advance. Keep checking the online scheduling system, as slots occasionally become available. You can also try consulates or embassies in other countries if they have earlier availability—Germany, for instance, is worth considering.

Getting your NIE in Spain

To obtain your NIE in Spain, you’ll need to make an appointment with the national police at Rambla Guipuzcoa 74 in Barcelona. You can do it here. Here’s how to book:

  1. Select ‘Barcelona,’ then ‘Certificados UE,’ followed by ‘CNP Certificados UE.’ Click ‘Aceptar.’
  2. After entering your details, you’ll be able to choose from available dates and times. A confirmation will be sent to your email.
  3. If no slots are available, you’ll see this message: En este momento no hay citas disponibles. En breve, la oficina pondrá a su disposición nuevas citas. Try again the following Monday morning at 8:00 a.m. when new appointments are released, refreshing the page as needed.

In a hurry? You can also try nearby municipalities like Sabadell, Gava, or Mataró, where you might not need an appointment.

Addresses for these offices:

  • Sabadell: Carrer del Montseny 137
  • Gava: Plaça Esperanto
  • Mataró: Avenida Gatassa 15

Using a company to handle your NIE

Many people prefer to hire a company to manage the entire NIE application process, as doing it yourself can be frustrating and time-consuming. A reliable company with a strong reputation is NIE.CAT. They can book your appointment, handle the paperwork, and even accompany you to the appointment. They’re known for helping people get their NIE faster than average—highly recommended.

Documents required for your NIE

In Barcelona, authorities are strict about issuing NIEs. Make sure you bring the following:

  • A valid passport (original and two copies).
  • Two completed EX-15 forms (you can download it here).
  • Two completed Model 790 forms (it’s best to fill this out at the office with staff assistance).
  • A brief written explanation of why you need an NIE (not always requested but officially required). If you’re starting a job, ask your employer to draft this letter.
  • If you already have a work contract, bring it with you.
  • A payment of €11, which must be made before you receive your NIE. Staff at the office will explain how to make this payment.

Note: Don’t be surprised if you have to leave empty handed once (or even two or three times…). It’s a common experience here, and some say it’s like a test to see if you’re truly determined to live in Barcelona. If you are, keep at it—it will work out in the end.

Registering with the Municipality of Barcelona

If you’re living in Barcelona permanently, registering with the municipality (empadronar) is mandatory. To do this, you can visit the city hall behind Plaça Sant Jaume (at Plaça Sant Miquel) in the Gothic Quarter. No appointment is needed.

Alternatively, you can visit one of the following district offices:

Ciutat Vella
Oficina d’Atenció Ciutadana del Districte de Ciutat Vella
Carrer dels Ramelleres 17

Gràcia
Oficina d’Atenció Ciutadana del Districte de Gràcia
Plaça Vila de Gràcia 2

Eixample
Oficina d’Atenció Ciutadana del Districte de l’Eixample
Carrer Aragó 328

Les Corts
Oficina d’Atenció Ciutadana del Districte de les Corts
Plaça Comas 18

Sants-Montjuïc
Oficina d’Atenció Ciutadana del Districte de Sants Montjuïc
Carrer Creu Coberta 104

Sant Martí
Oficina d’Atenció Ciutadana del Districte de Sant Martí
Plaça Valentí Almirall 1

Horta-Guinardó
Oficina d’Atenció Ciutadana del Districte de Horta Guinardó
Carrer Lepant 387

You will need your rental contract and a passport and/or NIE. You can also complete the form online in advance.

If the rental contract is not in your name, you’ll need a signed letter from the primary tenant stating that you are subletting from them. Sometimes, recent utility bills (for gas, water, or electricity) may be requested. If you have these, bring them along.

Social Security – Insurance

In Spain, having health insurance is not mandatory but highly recommended. Once you have your NIE, you can register for Seguridad Social, Spain’s public social insurance system. You are eligible for this insurance under the following circumstances:

  • You are employed and automatically contribute through your salary.
  • You are self-employed (autónomo) and make your own contributions.
  • You officially reside in Spain but receive income or benefits from your home country.

To register for Seguridad Social, visit one of the offices (Tresoreria General de la Seguretat Social) in the city. Find an office near you here. You will need the following:

  • A completed TA1 form (you can also get this form at the office).
  • Identification: bring your passport/ID card and your NIE, along with copies of these documents.
  • You might be asked for a work or internship contract. This is not officially required but can sometimes be requested.
  • A mobile phone number. Some offices may require a Spanish number, but others accept foreign numbers.

CatSalut: Public Healthcare

Seguridad Social provides a solid basic insurance plan, giving you access to public healthcare. To use these services, you need to register with CatSalut, the Catalan public health system. Once you have a Seguridad Social number, you can sign up here. You’ll receive a health card (tarjeta sanitaria), which allows you to register at a CAP (Centre d’Atenció Primària), a primary care health center.

At the CAP, you’ll be assigned a general practitioner and can often access some specialists as well. With your health card, you’ll have access to GPs, emergency care, and specialist referrals when needed. However, referrals to specialists can sometimes involve long waiting periods.

If you anticipate needing frequent specialist care, it’s a good idea to take out additional private insurance. This often allows you to choose your hospital and doctors, with much shorter waiting times.

Dentistry

Most people in Spain do not have dental insurance. It’s common to pay for dental services directly at the reception after your appointment. Extractions and fillings are free if you use the public health system under Seguridad Social. However, orthodontics are always an out-of-pocket expense, and it’s difficult to find insurance that covers this in Spain.

Other insurance in Spain

In addition to public health insurance, many people choose to take out private health insurance with an insurance company. There are also numerous other types of insurance you might need, such as car insurance, home insurance, or coverage for other specific needs.

Insurance broker Cogesa Expats offers a comprehensive range of services to make the process as easy as possible. They provide virtually every type of insurance you might need, including travel insurance, pet insurance, and legal assistance insurance. You can view their full list of options via this link.

Car: Insurance, registration and driver’s license

If you buy a new car in Barcelona, you’re required to purchase insurance for it. This can be done through most banks, or via Orange Insurances. 

Importing a car

If you want to bring your car from the Netherlands to Spain, you’ll need to replace your Dutch license plate with a Spanish one. Here’s how to register your car in Barcelona:

  1. Deregister your car in your home country.
    You’ll receive an export license plate that allows you to drive the car to Spain.
  2. Obtain a Certificate of Conformity (COC).
     You can find many providers online who can arrange this certificate for you.
  3. Schedule an ITV appointment.
     Book an appointment at an Inspección Técnica de Vehículos (ITV) center in Barcelona. Here, your car will undergo an inspection, and a technical description will be issued. This document is usually ready for pickup within two days.
  4. Pay the road tax.
     Take the ITV documentation to the municipality where you are registered to pay the road tax (Impuesto sobre Vehículos de Tracción Mecánica).
  5. Pay the import tax.
     Bring the proof of road tax payment, your NIE, and the ITV documents to Hacienda (the Spanish tax office) to pay the import tax.
  6. Apply for a Spanish license plate.
     With all the above documents (ITV report, road tax payment proof, import tax payment proof), along with your passport, NIE, and driver’s license, visit the Jefatura Provincial de Tráfico at Gran Vía 184 to apply for your Spanish license plate. It’s typically ready for pickup within a few days.

Don’t want to deal with the hassle yourself? You can hire Orange Insurances to take care of the entire process for you.

Driver’s license

If you live in Spain (or any other EU country), your driver’s license remains valid until its expiration date. However, when your license is about to expire, you’ll need to renew it at a Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) office in Spain. You can schedule an appointment online.

Make sure to bring the following documents with you:

  • 2 passport photos
  • Your driver’s license
  • A certificate of authenticity
  • Your NIE
  • A valid passport

At the appointment, you’ll receive an application form to fill out. Once your application is submitted, you’ll be issued a temporary driver’s license.

Important note: if you lose your driver’s license, applying for a Spanish license in Spain can be a complicated process. This alone may be a reason to exchange your license for a Spanish one. Keep in mind that a Spanish driver’s license operates under a points system (sistema de puntos).

Opening a Spanish bank account

If you want to open a bank account in Spain, you can choose between a resident and a non-resident account.

Non-resident account

To open a non-resident bank account in Spain, you’ll need to follow the bank’s specific procedures. This typically involves completing and submitting the required paperwork. The easiest way to start is by visiting a branch of your chosen bank in Spain. Schedule an appointment in advance and request assistance from an English-speaking staff member. If everything is in order, your account is usually ready for use within 1–5 days. Banks like La Caixa, Banco Santander, and Banco Sabadell offer this service.

Resident account

If you have an NIE, you can open a resident bank account. A major advantage of ING is that you can open an account online without incurring commissions or fees. The downside is that customer service in Spain often doesn’t offer support in English. To open an account with ING, you’ll need your NIE, proof of employment, proof of assets, and municipal registration.

At Banco Sabadell, English-speaking customer service is available. To open an account, you’ll need to bring your NIE, a copy of your employment contract, and proof of assets. After approximately five business days, your bank card will be ready for collection at the branch where you registered or can be sent to your Spanish address.

Other options for opening a Spanish bank account include online banks like N26 and Revolut.

Getting a Spanish phone number

For a long-term or permanent stay, having a Spanish phone number can be very useful. To get one, you’ll need an NIE. Some phones support eSIM functionality, allowing you to use one eSIM number and one physical SIM card.

Alternatively, you can visit a physical store of a telecom provider to request a SIM card. Another option is Lobster, which allows you to get a Spanish number with straightforward service. You can also purchase a basic mobile phone with a prepaid SIM card as a simpler solution.