Why Spain?
Where Mediterranean lifestyle meets modern opportunity.
Mediterranean lifestyle
Over 300 days of sunshine, beautiful beaches, and a culture that values work-life balance and leisure.
Excellent healthcare
One of the world's best healthcare systems. Universal coverage for residents with top-tier hospitals.
Affordable living
Lower cost of living than most Western European countries while maintaining high quality of life.
Gateway to Europe
EU membership means freedom to travel, work, and live throughout the Schengen area after residency.
Explore Spanish cities
Click a city to discover costs, lifestyle, and opportunities.
Madrid
Cosmopolitan, energetic, 24/7 lifestyle
Spain's capital and largest city. Business hub with world-class culture, nightlife, and the country's highest salaries.
Find your visa path
Spain offers several visa options for non-EU citizens. Select a visa type to learn more.
The Spanish bureaucracy challenge
Spain's laid-back lifestyle contrasts with its complex paperwork. Here's what expats struggle with most.
NIE/TIE registration
The foreigner ID number (NIE) and residence card (TIE) require appointments that are notoriously hard to book.
Spanish bureaucracy
Government offices operate in Spanish. Forms, appointments, and officials rarely accommodate English.
Apostilles & translations
All foreign documents need apostilles and certified translations (traducciones juradas) for validity.
Empadronamiento
Address registration at the town hall is required for most procedures but depends on landlord cooperation.
Bank account opening
Spanish banks require NIE, proof of income, and sometimes employment contracts. It's a catch-22 situation.
Social Security (Seguridad Social)
Registering for healthcare and social security involves multiple steps and different offices.
How Expath helps
We've built a system that turns Spanish bureaucracy into a clear, manageable process.
Personalized Guidance
We analyze your income, profession, and goals to determine the optimal visa path. Digital nomad, non-lucrative, or self-employed—we map your Spanish journey.
- Visa eligibility check
- Income verification
- Timeline planning
Document Support
Spanish consulates are strict about documentation. We guide you through apostilles, traducciones juradas (sworn translations), and exact formatting requirements.
- Document checklists
- Translation guidance
- Apostille process
Post-Arrival Support
NIE/TIE appointments, empadronamiento, bank accounts, Seguridad Social—we guide you through Spain's layered bureaucracy from day one.
- Appointment booking help
- Healthcare enrollment
- Permit renewals
Who this is for
If you identify with any of these, Expath is built for you.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to common questions about relocating to Spain.