Municipal and NGO welcome programmes for newcomers

Key rules

• Padrón first: Register in the padrón before you approach most council services; you can do it without residence papers.
• No papers: Many council and NGO services accept people without residence papers.
• EU citizens: Programmes made for immigrants or refugees may be limited to non-EU nationals.
• Local rules: Each programme and town sets its own criteria and waiting list.

What exists

Many councils and NGOs run welcome and integration services. They differ by place, and many target non-EU migrants. Typical help is information, legal advice, Spanish classes, job support and orientation.

• Madrid: the city runs Centros de Participación e Integración de Inmigrantes (CEPI) and a network of immigrant services. They offer information, legal advice and Spanish classes.
• Barcelona: SAIER gives orientation and advice. The Catalan Government's Servei de Primera Acollida adds Catalan and Spanish courses and a training programme on community life.
• Valencia: the city's immigration and cooperation service (CAI) offers advice and language courses.
• Regions: the Basque Country runs Biltzen, and Andalusia has its own immigration programmes.
• Asylum seekers: state-funded reception runs through the Ministry of Inclusion with NGOs.

Names and services change, so check your council's website.

Who can use them

Municipal services are generally open to anyone living in the municipality. They usually ask you to register in the padrón, and you can do that without residence papers. Many advice and language services also accept people without papers.

EU citizens can often use general information services. Programmes made specifically for immigrants or refugees may be limited to non-EU nationals. State-funded asylum reception is only for asylum seekers and some protected persons.

NGOs such as Cruz Roja, Cáritas and Accem often help anyone in need, whatever their status. Each programme sets its own criteria, so ask before you plan around it.

How to get in

1. Register in the padrón at your town hall. Take your passport or NIE and proof of address.
2. Contact your council's immigrant or social services office. You usually need an appointment (cita previa), made on the council's website or by phoning 010 in many cities, or 012 in some regions.
3. Take your passport or NIE, your padrón certificate and any residence documents.
4. Check your regional government's own reception channel too.

Appointment systems differ by city. The documents list and checklist below cover the details.

NGOs and buddy schemes

• Cruz Roja: social integration, Spanish classes, employment support and volunteer-led accompaniment.
• Cáritas: local parishes run reception, legal and training services.
• Accem: reception, integration and employment programmes.
• CEAR: focuses on refugees and asylum seekers.
• Others: Fundación Cepaim, Red Acoge and local mentoring schemes such as Voluntariado de acogida.

Contact the local branch and ask for an intake interview or appointment. Eligibility and waiting lists differ by branch. To join a volunteer or buddy scheme, apply through the NGO's volunteer page.

Documents you need

• Your passport or NIE (foreigner identity number), as issued, to register in the padrón and to show at the reception office.

• Proof of address, needed to register in the padrón at your town hall.

• Your padrón certificate (certificado de empadronamiento) from the town hall, which most municipal services ask for.

• Any residence documents you already hold, if you have them. People without residency papers can still use many services.

Checklist

• Find your council's immigrant or social services office, such as CEPI in Madrid, SAIER in Barcelona or the immigration service in Valencia.

• Check your regional government's own reception programme, such as Biltzen in the Basque Country.

• Contact the local branch of an NGO such as Cruz Roja, Cáritas or Accem and ask for an intake interview or appointment.

• Ask each programme about its eligibility and waiting list before you plan around it.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a council welcome service without residence papers?

Yes, many municipal advice and language services accept people without residence papers, but most ask you to be registered in the padrón (the local residents' register). The padrón is open to people without residency papers. Ask the office whether the service you want has extra conditions.

Can EU citizens use welcome programmes for immigrants?

Yes, EU citizens can often use general information services, but programmes made specifically for immigrants or refugees may be limited to non-EU nationals. Ask the office before you book. If a programme is closed to you, an NGO may still help.

Do NGOs like Cruz Roja or Cáritas require legal status?

No, NGOs such as Cruz Roja, Cáritas and Accem often serve anyone in need whatever their status. Some are focused on one group, for example CEAR works with refugees and asylum seekers. Waiting lists and criteria differ by branch.

How can I join a volunteer buddy or mentoring scheme?

You join by contacting the local branch of the organisation and attending an intake interview or appointment. If you want to volunteer instead, apply through the NGO's volunteer page. Local schemes such as Voluntariado de acogida work the same way.