Spain
An overview to prepare your move
Climate, still-reasonable costs outside the big cities, and a language a French speaker picks up fast. Housing in Madrid and Barcelona is the real pressure point; the non-lucrative and digital-nomad visas open the door to non-Europeans.
Our services for Spain
Each service below is adapted to the local procedures of Spain.
Cost of living in Spain
| 1-bed flat, central | €1,150/ month |
|---|---|
| Studio, outside centre | €800/ month |
| Utilities (water, electricity, heating) | €120/ month |
| Transport pass | €45/ month |
| Groceries | €260/ month |
| Restaurant meal, mid-range | €15/ meal |
| Coworking desk | €150/ month |
Estimates for a single person, excluding extras. Sources: national statistics institutes and Rootovia surveys, updated quarterly.
Key administrative procedures
- 1
Get an NIE
The Número de Identidad de Extranjero gates everything: lease, bank account, employment contract. Book online (cita previa) at a police station or consulate before you leave.
- 2
Register on the padrón
The empadronamiento at the town hall (certificado de empadronamiento) proves your address and unlocks the health card, school enrolment and permit renewal.
- 3
Social security and a doctor
Social-security number (afiliación) via the Tesorería, then assignment of a health centre and a family doctor based on your padrón address.
- 4
Resident bank account
Switching from a “non-resident” to a resident account once you have the NIE and padrón reduces fees and makes rent direct debits easier.
Visa and right to stay
EU/EEA nationals: freedom to settle, simple registration in the central foreigners’ register after 3 months. Non-Europeans: the visado no lucrativo (passive income, about €2,650/month for one person, no right to work) and the digital-nomad visa (income from an employer or clients outside Spain, possible reduced taxation) are the most common routes. The student visa allows part-time work. A local contract opens the work authorisation, usually requested by the employer.
FAQ — Spain
Verified review — Spain
« I was scared to sign a lease in Barcelona from Lyon. Rootovia had the nota simple checked, joined me on video for three viewings and negotiated the deposit down to one month. I moved in without ever setting foot in the flat before the day itself. »
« I was torn between Valencia and Lisbon. The report costed net-after-tax in both cases, rent included, with and without the inbound-expat regime. The video debrief settled in 45 minutes what I had been chewing over for a year. »
« CV redone in Spanish format, 50 companies targeted, two mock interviews in Spanish. I landed a marketing internship in Valencia. My school’s agreement was accepted without a hitch after their review. »
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