​Hi everyone! I’m Lucy, I’m 22 years old, originally from the Czech Republic, and I recently moved to Barcelona. I’ve lived abroad before - in Canada for a language course, and in the Netherlands for my Erasmus studies. But I have to admit: nothing compares to Spanish paperwork.

When you think about moving to Barcelona, you probably imagine sunny weather, the beaches and palm trees, tapas with sangría, and Gaudí’s buildings everywhere. And yes, that’s all true! But before all of that, you have to face one of the most legendary challenges in Spain: bureaucracy. The locals even have a name for it: la burocracia española. And trust me, it deserves the reputation. 

From day one, I realized that settling in here meant juggling acronyms I had never heard before: NIE, TIE, NIF… But here’s the good news: with patience, copies of every possible document, and a smile on your face, you can survive Spanish paperwork. A great thing is that if you get hired through our company, most of our clients actually help you with obtaining these documents!

So let me share my experience step by step: the struggles, the small victories, and the tips I wish I had known before moving to Barcelona.

Step 1: The NIE

The NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is basically your golden ticket to life in Spain. You need it for almost everything: opening a bank account, signing a work contract, getting paid, even signing up for a gym.

The hardest part? Getting the appointment. Appointments are only available online and disappear faster than concert tickets. That is why I recommend you to be ready on Thursday at 15:00 via this link. The registration system opens like that every week!

When the day of my appointment came, I brought a folder full of papers - passport, copies of my passport, a filled-out form, proof of internship / work contract / document confirming your studies in Spain, and the tasa (a fee you pay at the bank before the appointment). I will talk more about tasa in the Step 4!

It’s definitely the most important document when moving to Spain, but also the one that might test your patience the most.

Step 2: Empadronamiento (Registering Your Address)

Next up: empadronamiento. This means registering your address with the local city hall, and it’s required if you’re staying in Spain for more than 6 months. Without it, you can’t apply for your health card or other benefits. I booked my appointment online, which was a way easier process than for the NIE.

The only documents I needed were my rental contract and, of course, my passport. The process was pretty straightforward: you show your documents, they give you a paper, and voilà, you’re officially part of the city!

But here’s a small tip: make sure your rental contract has your name on it. If it doesn’t, you’ll need a signed authorization from the person renting the flat, plus their ID copy. It sounds complicated, but it’s just another example of why carrying extra documents saves you from stress.

Step 3: Social Security & Health Insurance

Once I finally had my NIE and empadronamiento, it was time for the next big step: getting my social security number. In my case, I needed it because I registered as a freelancer (autónoma). That meant heading to the Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social (TGSS) with my NIE, passport, and empadronamiento to apply. 

Good news is that when you move abroad for a full-time job, your employer usually arranges your social security number for you. But don’t worry: if you’re coming here as a student or intern and not working, you probably won’t need your own social security number. In that case, your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is enough (if you’re from the EU). With it, you can access healthcare when needed, though it’s more for emergencies or temporary situations.

If you’re staying longer, I recommend applying for the Tarjeta Sanitaria (local health card), which gives you access to the public healthcare system like a local. For that, you’ll need your empadronamiento, and depending on your situation, either proof of studies, work contract, or autónomo registration.

If you’re not from the EU, you’ll need private health insurance to cover you until you’re eligible for the local system.

So basically, it all depends on your path:

• Working→ Get your social security number (most likely through your employer)

• Student/Intern from the EU→ EHIC works, but consider the Tarjeta Sanitaria for long stays

• Non-EU→ Private health insurance is your starting point

Step 4: Bank Account & Phone Number

Here’s where things get a little funny: to open a bank account, I needed my NIE. But to pay the tasa for my NIE, I needed a Spanish bank. A classic Spanish paperwork paradox. In the end, I solved it by paying the fee in cash at a local bank branch before my account was opened - or it is possible to temporarily open your bank account with your passport number instead of the NIE.

The phone number was easier: just walk into a shop like Orange, Vodafone, or Movistar, show your passport or NIE, and you’re set. But again, some providers prefer NIE over just a passport, so if you can, wait until you have it.

Step 5: Things I Learned the Hard Way

Moving to Barcelona taught me more than just how to handle paperwork. It taught me patience, flexibility, and how to laugh at situations that feel impossible in the moment.

Here are my golden rules:

1. Always bring more copies than you think. If you need one, bring three. Trust me.

2. As long as you’ve got the appointment date, you’re already halfway there. Book it early and don’t wait until the last moment.

3. Be ready for “mañana.” Sometimes offices will send you away and tell you to come back another day. Don’t panic. It’s normal here.

4. Ask for help. Whether it’s colleagues, other expats, a lawyer, or even strangers in line, most people have been through the same chaos and are happy to share advice.

5. Celebrate small wins. Every paper, every stamp, every approval is worth a little victory dance. 

Final Thoughts

When I first arrived in Barcelona, I felt really overwhelmed by all of this, and to be honest, most of the process I didn’t even know what I was doing. There were moments I wanted to scream into my folder full of papers. But now, a few months later, I can laugh about it, and feel proud that I made it through.

Spanish bureaucracy is definitely a challenge, but it also makes you stronger and teaches you to be resourceful. And once the paperwork is behind you, you can finally focus on the real reasons you came: to live, explore, meet people, and enjoy everything Barcelona has to offer.

So if you’re planning your move to Spain: take a deep breath, prepare your copies, and remember that you’re not alone in this. If you get hired through us, we’ll be there to support you. Every expat has their paperwork story - and soon, you’ll have yours too. 

¡Buena suerte!