I landed in Spain on a Tuesday with two suitcases, a folder of photocopies I was sure I'd over-prepared, and the kind of nervous excitement that makes you forget to eat lunch. By the following Tuesday, I had a stamped certificate, a bank card, a local SIM, and a much better understanding of the phrase cita previa than I ever expected to need.
If you're about to move to Spain, here's what my first week actually looked like — paperwork included.
Day 1: Arrival, keys, and a very long nap
The flight, the taxi, the keys to the apartment — that part felt like a movie montage. The less glamorous part started almost immediately: my landlord handed me the signed lease and said, "you'll want this for the ayuntamiento." I had no idea what that meant yet. I would, very soon.
Keep your lease (or property deed), your passport, and several photocopies of both in one folder from day one. You'll be asked for them more times than you'd think.
Day 2: Discovering the empadronamiento
Empadronamiento is the process of registering your address at your local town hall (ayuntamiento) — think of it as Spain's way of officially knowing you live where you say you live. It sounds like a formality. It isn't. Almost every other procedure — the NIE, healthcare access, school enrollment — depends on this piece of paper existing first.
I booked my cita previa (prior appointment — most Spanish government offices don't accept walk-ins) online the night I arrived, and the earliest slot was four days out. That gap is normal, and it's worth knowing upfront so it doesn't eat into your week unexpectedly.
What I needed to bring:
- Passport (original + photocopy)
- Signed rental contract, with the referencia catastral (cadastral reference) included
- Completed padrón application form (downloadable from most town hall websites)
Day 3: The bank account puzzle
I wanted a Spanish bank account before anything else — rent payments, salary, daily life all run through one. Some banks will open a basic account with just your passport and proof of address; others want your NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) — a tax ID number every foreigner in Spain eventually needs, whether they're working, renting, or buying property — before they'll even take an appointment.
I spent an afternoon calling three branches to compare. Two said "come in, we'll sort it out." One said "no NIE, no account." My honest advice: call ahead, because the answer depends heavily on the bank and even the specific branch.
Day 4: Waiting on the padrón, and using the time well
While waiting for my empadronamiento appointment, I used the downtime for the smaller, faster wins: a local SIM card (passport was enough), a gym trial, figuring out the bus app. Not everything in this week has to be a government office. Give yourself something that feels like normal life while the paperwork catches up.
Day 5: Empadronamiento appointment — and the domino effect
My appointment took eleven minutes. The certificate itself took another few days to be ready. That single piece of paper is what unlocked almost everything after it: it's the standard proof of address required for the NIE application, for many bank accounts, and for public healthcare registration.
The mistake I nearly made: assuming the padrón certificate would arrive instantly. In some municipalities it does; in many, it takes a few business days. Ask on the spot how and when you'll receive it, so you're not left guessing.
Day 6: Booking the NIE (and, if applicable, the TIE)
With the padrón certificate in hand, I booked my NIE appointment. If you're an EU/EEA citizen, this is generally the only registration document you'll need beyond the padrón. If you're a non-EU citizen on a residence visa, there's an extra step: the TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero), the physical residency card that confirms your legal status once you're in Spain.
Non-EU residents must apply for the TIE within 30 days of entering Spain on a resident visa. In practice, appointment slots in cities like Madrid and Barcelona can disappear within minutes of being released — so if this applies to you, start trying to book from day one, not day twenty-five.
| Document | Who needs it | What it proves | Typical timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empadronamiento | Everyone | Your registered address | Appointment + a few days for the certificate |
| NIE | EU and non-EU foreigners | Your tax/foreigner ID number | Varies by province; book as early as possible |
| TIE | Non-EU residents only | Your legal residency status | Must apply within 30 days of arrival |
Still unsure which of these applies to you? Our guide on NIE vs TIE in Spain breaks down exactly who needs which, and in what order.
Day 7: Looking back
A week in, nothing was fully "done" — the TIE was still weeks away, my bank card hadn't arrived yet — but the foundation was in place. That's the part nobody tells you: the first week isn't about finishing the paperwork. It's about starting the right things in the right order, so the rest of the process has somewhere to land.
Checklist: what to prioritize in your first week in Spain
- Keep your passport and lease/deed with photocopies in one folder
- Book your empadronamiento cita previa as early as possible (ideally before or right on arrival)
- Call a couple of local bank branches to compare account-opening requirements
- Get a local SIM card (usually just needs a passport)
- Book your NIE appointment as soon as you have your padrón certificate
- If you're a non-EU resident, start trying to book your TIE appointment from day one — the 30-day clock is real
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting to book appointments until you "settle in." Cita previa slots fill up fast; book on arrival, not after week one.
- Assuming one document unlocks everything at once. Padrón unlocks NIE steps, NIE unlocks other steps — expect a sequence, not a single stop.
- Not asking how you'll receive your certificate. Some offices hand it over on the spot, others mail it or ask you to return — always ask.
FAQ
What is the first thing to do when you move to Spain?
Book your empadronamiento appointment as early as possible — it's the address registration that most other procedures, including the NIE, depend on.
How long can you stay in Spain without an NIE?
There's no fixed "grace period" as such, but many everyday tasks — opening certain bank accounts, signing some contracts, and non-EU residency steps — require an NIE, so it's worth requesting one early rather than waiting until you need it urgently.
Is it hard to open a bank account in Spain as a foreigner?
It depends on the bank: some open a basic account with just your passport and proof of address, while others ask for your NIE first — calling ahead saves a wasted trip.
What is empadronamiento and why do I need it?
Empadronamiento is your official registration of address with the local town hall; it's typically required before you can apply for your NIE, register with public healthcare, or enroll children in school.
Summary: key takeaways
Your first week in Spain won't be about finishing every procedure — it's about starting the right ones, in the right order: empadronamiento first, then NIE, then (for non-EU residents) the TIE, all while sorting the practical basics like banking and a SIM card. Book appointments early, keep your documents organized, and expect a sequence rather than a single afternoon of admin.
How EasyNest can help
If reading this made your stomach do the same flip mine did on Day 1 — that's completely normal. The sequence above is manageable once you know it, but juggling cita previa slots, document requirements that vary by office, and translations on a tight timeline is exactly the kind of thing we built EasyNest to take off your plate. Our onboarding service starts with a single, tailor-made plan reviewed by an advisor who's done this before — not a stack of generic PDFs.
Answer five quick questions or book a direct call → — it takes about three minutes, and there's no obligation.