Full guide
Process, exceptions, and official sources
Every step in order, with exceptions, special cases and official sources.
Budgets and tariffs are indicative and change by city and inflation. Adjust figures to your lifestyle and university.
Daily life roadmap
First week (setup) → Weekly routine (shopping, transport, bills) → Cost optimisation
Student checklist — daily life
- Week 1: SIM or eSIM, transport pass, supermarket map, Bizum app active.
- Every week: planned shopping, meal prep, check shared bills.
- Every month: review subscriptions, compare electricity/internet tariffs.
- Emergency buffer: €200–300 for pharmacy, repairs, last-minute tickets.
Indicative monthly budget (2026)
| Item | Madrid / Barcelona | Valencia / mid-size cities | Salamanca / Granada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (room) | 500–750 EUR | 350–550 EUR | 250–400 EUR |
| Groceries + eating out | 220–350 EUR | 180–280 EUR | 150–230 EUR |
| Transport | 20–55 EUR (pass) | 15–40 EUR | 10–30 EUR |
| Phone | 10–25 EUR | 10–20 EUR | 10–20 EUR |
| Utilities share | 40–80 EUR | 30–60 EUR | 25–50 EUR |
| Leisure | 80–150 EUR | 60–120 EUR | 40–90 EUR |
| Indicative total | 950–1,450 EUR | 700–1,050 EUR | 550–850 EUR |
Transport
- Madrid: Metro/bus Abono Transportes; Abono Joven for under 26.
- Barcelona: TMB — T-usual, integrated pass.
- Valencia: EMT + Metrovalencia.
- Intercity: Renfe (AVE, Media Distancia), Ouigo, ALSA bus.
- Bike / scooter: Municipal rules; helmet and parking where required.
Groceries and cooking
- Mercadona, Lidl, Aldi, Dia — Good value for students.
- Carrefour, El Corte Inglés — Pricier but full range.
- Mercados municipales — Fresh fruit/vegetables; compare prices.
- Menú del día — Lunch €12–16 in many bars (check hours 13:30–16:00).
- Late dinner: Many places open after 20:30 — plan accordingly.
Phone and internet
| Operator | Note |
|---|---|
| MásMóvil / Digi / Pepephone | Low-cost MVNOs, good urban coverage |
| Movistar / Vodafone / Orange | Fibre + mobile bundles |
| eSIM | Useful before you have NIE with some operators |
Energy and shared flat
- Switch off standby; agree thermostat rules (heating/AC are costly).
- Share bills with a spreadsheet or app (Splitwise).
- Summer: moderate AC; winter: 19–21 °C is an efficient standard.
Washing machine — quick guide
- Separate whites, colours, delicates; empty pockets.
- Typical programmes: Algodón, Sintéticos, Delicado.
- Dose detergent — too much leaves residue and odours.
- Line-dry on a rack (balcony) where possible — common in Spain.
- Clean filter/drawer monthly to avoid mould.
Culture and everyday safety
- Shop siesta: Many shops closed 14:00–17:00 — shop morning or evening.
- Pickpockets: Watch metro and tourist areas (Barcelona, central Madrid).
- 112 — EU unified emergencies.
- Documents: Copy TIE/NIE to the cloud; carry original only when needed.
Useful links
Sources
Empty cities, small offices — close paperwork sooner.
Quick reference
Late nightlife, tapas, local festivities. Very hot summer; mild winter coast.
Transport
Mobility
Metro Madrid/BCN, EMT, Renfe. BlaBlaCar. Electric bikes.
- Renfe
- T-usual
- Bicing
Climate and what to pack
Fan/AC summer. Northern light winter jacket. Sunscreen.
Phone and internet
Telephone
Movistar, Vodafone, Lowi, Orange. eSIM ok. University WiFi.
Food and groceries
Markets, shared tapas. Cheap university menu.
Habits and settling in
Spanish helps a lot. Documents translated if necessary. Local festivals — plan study.
Deep dive (optional)
Go deeper
Key numbers
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| General emergency (EU) | 112 |
| Medical emergencies (many CCAA) | 061 (not universal—check your region) |
| National police | 091 |
| Guardia Civil | 062 |
| 24/7 emotional support line | 024 (verify hours on official pages) |
| Consumer affairs | Official phones and e-office on consumo.gob.es |
Post & pharmacy
Pharmacy
Prescription medicines; duty pharmacies rotate—check your town hall or CCAA health portal.
Go deeper
Driving licence & ID
Exchange rules, international permits, and minimum ages differ widely. Confirm with the national or state motoring authority in Spain before driving; rental desks usually require licence plus passport or national ID.
Mobile plans & SIM
Compare prepaid vs contract; you will usually need ID and sometimes proof of address. Ask about number portability, fair-use data caps, and EU/international roaming if you travel outside Spain.
Groceries & food
Mix discount supermarkets with local markets and food-rescue apps where they operate. Check Sunday opening rules and bag/bottle deposit schemes in Spain—they affect weekly cost.
Official sources and verification
2 HTTPS sources are already linked where they are used in the guide.