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01 Before committing to the move
- Confirm every household member’s residence route.
Check work rights, family applications and the responsible consulate or authority.
- Make a monthly and arrival budget.
Include housing, health cover, tax, transport and a separate reserve.
- Check your work and tax position.
Discuss remote work, payroll, self-employment and the first tax year.
- Shortlist areas using your daily needs.
Test likely commutes, schools, healthcare access and step-free routes.
- Investigate schools and pet travel early.
Identify application windows, document lead times and transport restrictions.
02 Before departure
- Prepare the required documents.
Check validity, apostilles or legalization, translations and original copies.
- Confirm your permission and travel dates.
Read entry conditions and any appointments or card procedures that follow arrival.
- Arrange cover from arrival day.
Confirm healthcare and other insurance, plus continuity of prescriptions.
- Book suitable initial accommodation.
Check the address, cancellation terms, access and written pet permission if needed.
- Finalize the journey and your arrival backup.
Check luggage, children’s needs, pets, transfers and late-arrival access.
- Prepare money and communications.
Keep more than one payment method and access to important authentication codes.
03 Your first week
- Inspect accommodation and record its condition.
Photograph defects, check keys, meters, utilities and emergency exits.
- Confirm the correct paperwork appointments.
Prioritize the deadlines on your actual approval or applicable procedure.
- Work out the padrón requirements for your address.
Use the town hall of the municipality where you actually live.
- Establish your healthcare next step.
Confirm coverage, identify the health centre or insurer network and arrange urgent prescription continuity.
- Test everyday transport and services.
Find a useful bus or rail route, pharmacy and food shop; save key contacts.
04 As you settle in
- Complete the applicable registrations.
Track residence documentation, address registration and healthcare separately.
- Secure and document your long-term home.
Review the agreement, lawful charges, inventory and responsibility for bills.
- Set up banking and official online access.
Review fees and follow the official Cl@ve or digital-certificate process.
- Finalize family and pet arrangements.
Confirm schooling, local care and any animal-registration requirements.
- Resolve driving and work requirements.
Check licence deadlines, payroll or self-employment setup before relying on them.
- Build a calendar you can maintain.
Record renewal dates, filings, insurance dates and recurring payments.
- Make room for life outside the paperwork.
Choose a regular walk, a language class or an activity that gets you out locally.
Go directly to the source
Official requirements, prices and availability can change. Open the relevant source before applying, booking or paying.