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Spain

Complete guide for international students in Spain: bureaucracy, housing, budget, health, work and finance.

Updated on: Jun 10, 2026

In Spain the cost of living can be friendly, but NIE, empadronamiento and rental market in university cities take time. Much changes between Comunidad: same concepts, practices and different speeds.

What really changes here

  • NIE/TIE: key document for contract, bank, work
  • Empadronamiento (municipal residence): often required for healthcare and school
  • Rentals: 1–2 month deposit, often without guarantor if you pay multiple months in advance
  • Healthcare: social security or student convenience after registration
  • Transport: cheap monthly passes; bike and metro
  • Payments: Bizum and card; cash in bars and markets

Ideal if…

  • Erasmus and students looking for climate and social life
  • Medium-sized cities (Granada, Valencia, Salamanca) for low budgets
  • Those who speak Spanish or learn quickly
  • Who accepts slower bureaucracy with appointments

Harder if…

  • You are looking for a studio apartment in Madrid/Barcelona center without NIE
  • You expect email responses from offices within 24 hours
  • Can't tolerate summer heat without AC
  • You want only English in all local bureaucracy

First 7 days

  1. Police appointment for NIE (prior quotation!)
  2. Management of the assistance
  3. Bank account with NIE
  4. University registration
  5. Health insurance or temporary private insurance
  6. Spanish SIM; save 112
  7. Transport or bike subscription
Mistakes to avoid
  • Renting without NIE — many contracts impossible
  • Ignore prior citation for offices
  • Sign without understanding Comunidad de Vecinos rules
  • Working beyond study permit hours

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