Living like a resident, not a tourist, during a trial

Key rules

• Trial goal: Run a normal working week so you find the friction a holiday hides.
• Healthcare: Non-EU visitors need private insurance, and a health card covers only necessary care that cannot wait.
• August: Expect closures and slower offices and hospitals, so a trial in August is not typical.
• NIE: An NIE does not give you the right to live or work in Spain.

Run a normal week, not a holiday

A holiday hides the things that will annoy you later. So during your trial, do what you would do every week as a resident. Note what goes wrong. That is the point of the trial.

Work on the real setup

Work a full remote week on the internet connection you would actually use. Check that your video calls hold up and that your working hours overlap enough with your colleagues or clients. A connection that is fine for browsing can fail on a full day of calls.

Shop and run errands

• Do the weekly supermarket shop and try the local markets. Compare the cost and the choice with home.
• Get a Spanish SIM card.
• Try to open a bank account.
• Collect a parcel and handle your post.

Expect errands to take longer than at home. Many shops close in the middle of the day.

Test healthcare

Book a visit with a GP or a pharmacy, and try your private insurance for real. Do this before you need it.

What you can use depends on where you are from:

• EU, EEA or Swiss visitors: your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) gives you necessary care in the public system that cannot wait until you are home. UK visitors use the GHIC in a similar way.
• Other visitors: you are only entitled to emergency treatment, which is usually billed. You need private travel insurance.

Planned treatment, private clinics and care you travel for are not covered by the card. The FAQ below covers more.

Get around like a local

Use the local bus, metro or train for your usual trips. If you plan to drive, try driving and parking in your area at busy times.

Build a social life

Join a language class, a coworking space or a club. Meeting people is part of whether a place works for you, and it is easy to skip on a short stay.

Live through the hard parts

Stay long enough to meet the things a holiday avoids: a bad-weather week, summer heat, noise at night and the long mid-day closures.

Timing matters too. August is slow. Many small shops, professionals and businesses close for two to four weeks, especially in the second half, and 15 August is a national holiday. Public offices stay open with fewer staff, so appointments and replies are slower. Hospitals and health centres run reduced services with longer waits for non-urgent care. Christmas, Easter and local fiestas also cause closures. Tourist areas stay busy in August. If you test in August, you will not see a typical month.

Do you need an NIE for a trial?

An NIE is a tax and identification number, not a residence permit. You can get one as a non-resident if you have a reason, such as signing a contract, opening a bank account or buying property. It gives you no right to live or work in Spain beyond your visa-free limits. The documents are listed below.

Documents you need

• Form EX-15, the application form for an NIE (foreigner identification number), filled in and submitted to a police foreigners' office (Oficina de Extranjería) or a Spanish consulate.

• Your passport, issued by your home country.

• Proof of your reason for needing an NIE, such as a contract, a bank account request or a property purchase.

• Payment of the NIE fee, made with form modelo 790 código 012.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use Spain's public healthcare during a trial stay?

Yes, if you are from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, your European Health Insurance Card covers medically necessary care that cannot wait until you go home. UK visitors can use the UK's GHIC card in the same way. Non-EU visitors only get emergency treatment, usually billed, so they need private travel insurance.

Does a health card cover planned treatment or private clinics?

No, the card does not cover planned treatment, private clinics or care you travel to Spain to get. It also does not pay for repatriation. Test a GP or pharmacy visit early so you learn how it works in practice.

Can I get an NIE just for a trial stay?

Yes, you can ask for an NIE (foreigner identification number) if you have an economic, professional or social reason, such as opening a bank account or signing a contract. It is only a tax and identification number, so it gives no right to live or work in Spain. Request it at a police foreigners' office or a consulate.