Moving to Spain Made Simple: Visa & Residency Guides, Driving, Pets, Healthcare, Schools and Everyday Life

The Schengen 90/180-day rule determines how long many non-EU visitors can spend in Spain and the wider Schengen Area. For short stays, you can generally spend up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period across the Schengen Area as a whole. Discover who the rule applies to, whether you need a Schengen visa, how to calculate your days, and what EES and ETIAS mean for travel to Spain.

Selling your property is just one of several financial matters to consider before becoming tax resident in Spain. The timing of a property sale, investments, pension benefits, savings and other overseas assets can all have implications once you become Spanish tax resident. Considering these matters early gives you the opportunity to seek appropriate professional advice before making important financial decisions.

You are considered a fiscal (tax) resident if are in Spain more than 183 days, or your centre of economic interests are in Spain.Get to grips with your finances and tax obligations including income tax, budget, banking, currency exchange, capital gains, wealth taxes, self employment (social security and autonomo).

Choosing the right school in Spain is one of the most important decisions families face — especially for expats relocating to Spain or parents wanting the best educational opportunities for their children. Spain offers four main types of schools: public schools, concertado (state subsidised) schools, private schools, and international schools. Each comes with different costs, curricula, admissions processes, and long-term pathways.

EU Driving Licenses continue to be valid in Spain until renewal although there are some exceptions. Non-EU including UK and Ireland Driving Licences can be exchanged if there is an agreement with Spain, for countries without an agreement a practical driving and theory test is required. Practical guidance on purchasing, leasing, hiring or importing your vehicle. Once you have exchanged your licence, remember you may need to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in other countries.

Planning for individual and family public and private health care cover is vital if you live abroad. You may require Private Health Insurance for your Residency or Visa application or you may be eligible to access public health care straight away. Don't forget if you have residency in Spain and you travel abroad you may not have access to Health Care without insurance, or the European Health Insurance Card - EHIC (when travelling in the EU). After one year in Spain you may also want to consider joining the Convenio Especial program.

Your furry friend is a big part of the family and requires extra special attention during the move. There are a few things to consider such as how you will transport your pet to Spain, requirements for registering your pet, legal requirements for liability insurance and how to access Veterinarian services. Spain introduced a new animal welfare law in September 2023 that recognised pets as "living, sentient beings".

A Spanish Digital Certificate and Cl@ve account give you secure access to a wide range of Spanish government services online, including tax administration, Social Security, healthcare services, town hall procedures and many other administrative services.