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Spain Guides: Visas, NIE, Padrón, Tax, Healthcare, Renting and Travel

Plain-English guides to visiting and moving to Spain: NIE, TIE, padrón, digital nomad and non-lucrative visas, Beckham Law, healthcare, renting, buying and trains.

Moving to SpainEverything to do before and after moving to Spain, in order: visa, documents, NIE, padrón, TIE, bank, healthcare, tax, driving licence and …Spain’s digital nomad visaWho qualifies for Spain’s digital nomad (international telework) visa, the 2026 income threshold (about €2,849 a month), documents, consula…The non-lucrative visaSpain’s non-lucrative visa lets non-EU citizens live in Spain without working. The 2026 income needed (about €28,800 a year plus €7,200 per…Non-lucrative visa or digital nomad visa?Spain’s two most popular residence visas compared: who each is for, 2026 income needed, work rules, renewals, tax and which to choose.The 90/180-day rule for visitors to SpainHow the Schengen 90 days in any 180 rule works for UK, US, Canadian and Australian visitors to Spain, how to count your days, and what chan…When to visit SpainThe best months to visit Spain for weather, prices and fiestas, region by region, with what to avoid (inland heat in August, rain in the no…Things to do in Spain, city by cityThe best things to do in Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Granada, Valencia, Málaga, San Sebastián and more Spanish cities, with where to stay.NIEWhat the NIE is, who needs one, how to apply in Spain or at a consulate, the forms (EX-15, tasa 790-012), documents and the difference betw…The TIEHow non-EU residents get the TIE card after arriving with a visa: the one-month deadline, cita previa, fingerprints, form EX-17, fees and c…Padrón registration (empadronamiento)Why registering at the town hall matters, what to bring, how long the certificate is valid, and how the padrón affects healthcare, schools,…EU citizensEU, EEA and Swiss citizens staying more than three months in Spain must register. Requirements (work or funds plus health cover), form EX-1…Healthcare in SpainHow foreigners access Spanish healthcare: public cover through work or S1, private insurance for visas, the convenio especial pay-in scheme…Renting a home in SpainHow long-term rentals work in Spain under the 2023 Housing Law: contract length, deposits, who pays agency fees, seasonal contracts, what l…Buying a home in SpainThe steps to buy property in Spain: NIE, bank account, reservation and arras contracts, notary and registry, taxes on resale and new homes,…Spain’s golden visaSpain stopped accepting golden visa applications based on property investment on 3 April 2025. What happened to existing holders and which …The Beckham Law (special tax regime for new residents)Spain’s special tax regime for inbound workers: a flat 24% on Spanish employment income up to €600,000, foreign income largely exempt, who …Driving in Spain as a visitor or new residentWhen you can drive in Spain on a foreign licence, who must exchange it (UK yes, US no exchange), low-emission zones, speed limits, ITV and …Opening a bank account in SpainResident vs non-resident accounts, what Spanish banks ask for, fees, Bizum, and when an online bank or fintech account is enough.EES and ETIASThe EU Entry/Exit System is now fully running and ETIAS is expected from late 2026. What each one is, who needs them, the €20 ETIAS fee and…From visa to long-term residence and citizenshipHow long until you can get long-term (permanent) residence in Spain, the rules for citizenship by residence (10 years, 2 for some nationali…Working as an autónomo in SpainHow to register as self-employed in Spain, the monthly social security fee (flat rate in your first year, then income-based), VAT and quart…Travelling by train in SpainSpain’s high-speed network explained: Renfe AVE and Avlo, Ouigo and Iryo, typical journey times, how to find cheap fares, and regional and …Spain by the clockWhy Spain eats lunch at 2 pm and dinner at 9 pm or later, shop hours, the real story of the siesta, Sundays, and August.Public holidays in Spain in 2027All national public holidays in Spain for 2027, plus the most common regional holidays and how local holidays work.Cost of living in SpainWhat life costs in Spain compared region by region, where your money goes furthest, what is cheap and what isn’t, and how to budget before …Tipping in SpainSpaniards tip little. What is normal in bars, restaurants, taxis and hotels, and when rounding up is enough.The languages of Spain and how to learn themSpain has four widely used languages. Where Catalan, Valencian, Basque and Galician are spoken, how they affect schools and jobs, and the c…Is Spain safe?Spain is one of Europe’s safest countries for violent crime. Where pickpocketing happens, common scams, summer heat and the emergency numbe…Things to do in BarcelonaThe best things to do in Barcelona: Sagrada Família, Park Güell, Casa Batlló and Casa Milà (La Pedrera), The Gothic Quarter and El Born, pl…Things to do in MadridThe best things to do in Madrid: Museo del Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen-Bornemisza, Retiro Park, Royal Palace and Almudena Cathedral, plu…Things to do in SevilleThe best things to do in Seville: Real Alcázar, Seville Cathedral and the Giralda, Plaza de España, Barrio Santa Cruz, plus day trips and w…Things to do in MálagaThe best things to do in Málaga: Alcazaba and Gibralfaro, Picasso Museum Málaga, Roman Theatre, Málaga Cathedral, plus day trips and what t…Things to do in GranadaThe best things to do in Granada: The Alhambra, Albaicín, Mirador de San Nicolás, Sacromonte, plus day trips and what to eat.Things to do in ValenciaThe best things to do in Valencia: City of Arts and Sciences, Turia Gardens, Central Market, La Lonja de la Seda, plus day trips and what t…Things to do in San Sebastián (Donostia)The best things to do in San Sebastián (Donostia): La Concha beach, Pintxos in the Parte Vieja, Monte Igueldo, Monte Urgull, plus day trips…Things to do in BilbaoThe best things to do in Bilbao: Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Casco Viejo, La Ribera Market, Artxanda funicular, plus day trips and what to ea…Things to do in CórdobaThe best things to do in Córdoba: Mosque-Cathedral (Mezquita), The Jewish Quarter (Judería), Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, Roman Bridge,…Things to do in MarbellaThe best things to do in Marbella: Casco Antiguo and Plaza de los Naranjos, Puerto Banús, The beaches and the Senda Litoral, Avenida del Ma…Things to do in ToledoThe best things to do in Toledo: Toledo Cathedral, El Greco Museum and Santo Tomé, Synagogues of Santa María la Blanca and El Tránsito, Alc…Things to do in CádizThe best things to do in Cádiz: Cádiz Cathedral, Torre Tavira, La Caleta beach, Barrio de la Viña, plus day trips and what to eat.Things to do in AlicanteThe best things to do in Alicante: Santa Bárbara Castle, Explanada de España, Postiguet beach, Barrio de Santa Cruz, plus day trips and wha…Things to do in RondaThe best things to do in Ronda: Puente Nuevo, Plaza de Toros, Arab Baths, Casa del Rey Moro gardens, plus day trips and what to eat.Things to do in GironaThe best things to do in Girona: Girona Cathedral, City walls, The Call, Onyar river houses, plus day trips and what to eat.Things to do in Palma de MallorcaThe best things to do in Palma de Mallorca: La Seu Cathedral, Royal Palace of La Almudaina, Old town and courtyards, Bellver Castle, plus d…Things to do in SalamancaThe best things to do in Salamanca: Plaza Mayor, The University and its frog, Old and New Cathedrals, Casa de las Conchas, plus day trips a…Things to do in SegoviaThe best things to do in Segovia: Roman Aqueduct, Alcázar of Segovia, Segovia Cathedral, Roast suckling pig, plus day trips and what to eat.Where to stay in BarcelonaThe best areas to stay in Barcelona: Eixample, Gothic Quarter and El Born, Gràcia, Barceloneta and the seafront, Poblenou, and who each one…Where to stay in MadridThe best areas to stay in Madrid: Sol and Gran Vía, Barrio de las Letras, Malasaña and Chueca, Salamanca, La Latina, and who each one suits.Where to stay in SevilleThe best areas to stay in Seville: Santa Cruz, El Centro and Arenal, Triana, Alameda, and who each one suits.Where to stay in GranadaThe best areas to stay in Granada: Albaicín, Centro and Plaza Nueva, Realejo, Near the Alhambra, and who each one suits.Where to stay in ValenciaThe best areas to stay in Valencia: Ciutat Vella, Ruzafa, Malvarrosa and the beach, Near the City of Arts and Sciences, and who each one su…Where to stay in San Sebastián (Donostia)The best areas to stay in San Sebastián (Donostia): Parte Vieja (Old Town), Centro and La Concha, Gros, Ondarreta, and who each one suits.Where to stay in Palma de MallorcaThe best areas to stay in Palma de Mallorca: Old Town (Casco Antiguo), Santa Catalina, Portixol, Paseo Marítimo, and who each one suits.Where to stay in MálagaThe best areas to stay in Málaga: Historic centre, Soho, La Malagueta, Pedregalejo, and who each one suits.