A guide to help you prepareThis independent resource is not affiliated with a government agency. It provides general orientation, not individual immigration, legal, tax or medical advice. Confirm your circumstances with the responsible authority or a qualified adviser. Example budgets are planning exercises, not advertised prices or visa thresholds.
Residency & official paperwork
Policía Nacional · EU registrationEU, EEA and Swiss registration, documents, forms and fees.Your Europe · Resources and health coverEU residence conditions for people who are not working.Policía Nacional · NIE and residence cardsOfficial directory of NIE, TIE and other foreigner-document procedures.Migraciones · Family of an EU citizenResidence cards for qualifying non-EU family members.Migraciones · Family of a Spanish citizenThe specific route for family members of Spanish nationals.Migraciones · Withdrawal Agreement residentsOfficial explanation of the group covered by the Withdrawal Agreement.UGE · International remote workersOfficial remote-worker requirements and family documentation.UGE · Digital nomad FAQ in EnglishOfficial FAQ covering eligibility and social security.Spanish consulate · Non-working residenceAn example consular checklist. Apply the requirements of your own consulate.Exteriores · Find your Spanish consulateFind the office responsible for your current country and address.Migraciones · Employment residenceInitial residence and employment authorization information.Valencia City Council · Register your addressOfficial padrón registration and address-change procedure.
Housing & finding your neighborhood
BOE · Urban Tenancy ActConsolidated rental law, including articles 20 and 36.Idealista · Valencia rental listingsCommercial listings, not official valuations. Check contract type and availability.Visit Valencia · RussafaOfficial tourism introduction to Russafa / Ruzafa.Visit Valencia · El CabanyalOfficial tourism introduction to the maritime neighborhood.Visit Valencia · Explore the city on footRoutes through the old town, gardens and seafront.MITECO · Official flood-risk mappingAccess the national flood-zone viewer and explanatory information.
Healthcare, families & pets
GVA Health · SIP health cardRegional public healthcare registration and the SIP card.GVA Health · Health card questionsCoverage situations, temporary stays and registration questions.European Commission · EHICWhat the European Health Insurance Card covers during temporary stays.Your Europe · Healthcare when living abroadWhich country is responsible for coverage and when an S1 may apply.GVA Education · School admission rulesRegional admissions regulations, including the 2026–27 school year.Your Europe · Travelling with petsMicrochips, rabies vaccination, travel documents and country-specific conditions.European Commission · Pets from outside the EUEntry requirements for dogs, cats and ferrets arriving from non-EU countries.
Getting around
Metrovalencia · Current temporary faresCheck the current SUMA discounts, travel zones and validity dates.EMT València · Bus routes and plannerThe city bus operator’s routes, journey planning and service updates.EMT València · Tickets and faresBus tickets, eligibility requirements and where to buy.Valenbisi · Public bike sharingStation information, subscriptions and rental conditions.DGT · Moving from outside the EUForeign driving licences, validity and exchange requirements.
Money, work & digital administration
Agencia Tributaria · Tax residenceDay-count, economic-interest and family considerations for Spanish tax residence.Agencia Tributaria · Foreign income exampleWorldwide income and treaty treatment, using the United States as an example.Importass · Register as self-employedSocial Security registration for autónomos.Importass · Self-employment guideContributions, obligations and changes to your self-employed status.Banco de España · Opening a bank accountIdentification and source-of-funds documents a bank may request.FNMT · Personal digital certificateOfficial ways to obtain a certificate for online identification and signing.Cl@ve · Government online accessRegistration and access to participating public services.
Emergencies & weather
About this edition
This guide is written for people moving to Valencia city. Nearby municipalities have their own town halls and some different local services. Information was researched on 22 September 2026; linked pages may have earlier publication dates. Neighborhood notes are orientation and viewing prompts, not guarantees about a particular street or home.
Photography: “Valencia Blue” by K Λ X I I I / Wikimedia Commons. Licensed under CC BY 2.0. Displayed with a responsive crop. Photograph taken in 2007.