Moving within Spain

You will finish knowing whether your permit allows the move, who to tell, how to hire movers and what is different for the islands.

Start with "Moving to another part of Spain: the full checklist". It shows the order of the tasks, so you can see what comes first and what can wait. From there, go to the article that matches your next step.

Key rules

• Old padrón: Registering at the new town hall automatically cancels your registration at the old one, so you do not need to cancel separately when moving within Spain.
• Tax census change: If you are self-employed, report a change of tax address or activity premises to the tax agency within one month of the move.
• Padrón first: Register at the new town hall before other steps, because most of them need the certificate.
• Order: The task order is a recommendation, not a legal requirement.
• Check your resolution: The conditions printed on your permit decision tell you whether you are limited by place, employer or sector.
• Initial work permit: Change employer or sector only after a modification is filed, unless you have passed the first renewal.

Moving within Spain: the whole process, step by step

• Check whether your permit limits where or for whom you can work (read: Can you move region on your current residence permit?): Before you commit to the move

• If you hold an initial employed-work permit tied to an employer or sector, the new employer applies to change it (read: Can you move region on your current residence permit?): Before you start the new job

• Book the island shipment if you are moving to or from the Canaries or Balearics (read: Moving to or from the Canary or Balearic Islands): 4 to 8 weeks before the move, earlier in summer; allow 1 to 3 weeks door to door for the Balearics and 2 to 4 weeks for the Canaries

• Get several written removal quotes with a survey and choose a firm (read: Hiring a removal company (mudanza) in Spain and what it costs): Several weeks before the move

• Ask the town hall for a street-parking or lift permit, or ask the removal firm to do it (read: Hiring a removal company (mudanza) in Spain and what it costs): Several days to a couple of weeks before moving day

• Order internet at the new home (read: Moving your self-employed activity, car and home services to a new town): 3 to 4 weeks before moving

• Arrange the water change of holder (read: Moving your self-employed activity, car and home services to a new town): 1 to 2 weeks before moving

• Arrange electricity and gas for the new home (read: Moving your self-employed activity, car and home services to a new town): A few days to 2 weeks before moving

• Register at the padrón (municipal register) of the new town hall; if it refuses or delays, ask in writing for a reasoned decision and appeal within one month (read: Updating your address (empadronamiento) after a move within Spain): Promptly after you move in

• Tell the immigration office or police about your new address if you hold a TIE (read: Updating your address (empadronamiento) after a move within Spain): After the padrón registration is done

• Update your address with the traffic authority (DGT) for your car and driving licence (read: Moving your self-employed activity, car and home services to a new town): Within 20 days of the move

• If you are self-employed, report your new tax address or activity premises to the tax agency and update Social Security (read: Moving your self-employed activity, car and home services to a new town): Within one month of the move

Documents you may need

Identity and residence

• Valid ID
• Padrón certificate
• Your passport — Can you move region on your current residence permit?
• Your TIE card — Can you move region on your current residence permit?

The home and the lease

• Proof of housing for the new address — Moving to another part of Spain: the full checklist
• The official form for the change of address — Can you move region on your current residence permit?

Other documents

• Registration form — Moving to another part of Spain: the full checklist, Updating your address (empadronamiento) after a move within Spain
• Proof you can live at the new home — Updating your address (empadronamiento) after a move within Spain
• Detailed inventory of the household goods you are moving to or from the Canaries — Moving to or from the Canary or Balearic Islands
• Permiso de circulación — Moving to or from the Canary or Balearic Islands
• Proof that you own the vehicle — Moving to or from the Canary or Balearic Islands
• A declaración responsable — Moving your self-employed activity, car and home services to a new town

Each article lists the other documents it asks for, where you need them.

Moving within Spain: questions that cross several articles

Can I change employer after moving to another region on a work permit?

Yes, but if your initial work permit is tied to an employer or sector, the new employer must first apply to modify it. After your first renewal you generally do not need a modification. Read "Can you move region on your current residence permit?" for your permit type.

Which address updates do I need after moving, and in what order?

Start with the padrón at the new town hall, because later steps ask for its certificate. If you hold a TIE, then tell the immigration office or police about the new address. The card itself does not change.

How much does a removal cost within Spain?

A studio or one-bedroom flat within a city typically costs a few hundred euros, and a full three-bedroom flat locally about one to two thousand euros. Long-distance moves cost more, and summer and month ends are dearer. Read "Hiring a removal company (mudanza) in Spain and what it costs", and for island moves also "Moving to or from the Canary or Balearic Islands".

Who handles the street-parking permit for the removal truck?

Your town hall issues it, and many removal firms apply for you for a fee. Ask each firm in the quote whether this is included. Read "Hiring a removal company (mudanza) in Spain and what it costs", then the full checklist for the order of tasks.