Leaving home checklist for Spain

It is for anyone thinking about, planning or carrying out a move to Spain. You will know what to finish at home so nothing blocks you when you land.

Start with "What you can finish before you land in Spain". It shows the whole scope of departure work and which Spain-side tasks you can already do from home. Then use "Your countdown: 3 months, 1 month and 1 week before leaving" to place each task against its lead time.

This topic does not cover apostilles and translations, shipping goods or bringing pets, choosing private health insurance, or tax residency. Those have their own pages.

Key rules

• Cash declaration: You must declare cash and similar bearer instruments of 10,000 euros or more when entering or leaving Spain.
• NIE: Your Spanish consulate may be able to handle your NIE, but each one sets its own process, so ask first.
• Bank account: Non-residents can open accounts, but many banks still want a branch visit and most prefer you to have an NIE.
• Consulate appointment: Book your visa appointment first, because waits run from weeks to several months.
• Visa decision: Allow one to three months after a complete application, and treat silence as a possible refusal.
• Penalty: Failing to declare can lead to fines and seizure of the money.

Leaving home checklist for Spain: the whole process, step by step

• Book your consulate visa appointment as early as you can: as soon as you know your travel plans, often weeks to several months before you need to apply

• Order apostilles for your foreign documents: same day to a few days with expedited services, and one to several weeks by post; documents needing certified copies first can add weeks

• Order sworn translations (traductor jurado) once the apostilles are done: about 2 to 5 working days for short standard documents; a week or more for larger batches

• Attend your appointment and submit a complete visa application: on the appointment date

• Wait for the visa decision: a few weeks to about 3 months after a complete application, depending on visa type and consulate

• Give notice on your home lease: often 1 to 3 months before you leave for foreign leases; check your contract

• Cancel phone, internet, gym and other subscriptions that have minimum terms: check the notice period and exit charges well before you leave; streaming services can be cancelled at any time

• Cancel home-country utilities: short notice is usually enough, just before you leave

Lead times vary by country, consulate and contract; check the current figures with the consulate and each provider.

Documents you may need

Identity and residence

• Valid passport — What you can finish before you land in Spain
• EX-15 application form for the NIE — What you can finish before you land in Spain
• Proof of why you need the NIE — What you can finish before you land in Spain
• Proof you paid the NIE fee — What you can finish before you land in Spain

Income and work

• Proof of income or source of funds — What you can finish before you land in Spain

The home and the lease

• Proof of address in your home country — What you can finish before you land in Spain

Translations and legal papers

• Sworn translation — Your countdown: 3 months, 1 month and 1 week before leaving, Which original documents to carry on you instead of shipping

Other documents

• Foreign documents for Spanish procedures — Your countdown: 3 months, 1 month and 1 week before leaving
• Documents that first need certified copies or authentication — Your countdown: 3 months, 1 month and 1 week before leaving
• Documents from a country outside the Hague Convention — Your countdown: 3 months, 1 month and 1 week before leaving
• Each foreign original that a Spanish office or landlord will ask — Which original documents to carry on you instead of shipping
• Power of attorney — What you can finish before you land in Spain

Leaving home checklist for Spain: questions that cross several articles

Can I get an NIE before I move to Spain?

Yes, a Spanish consulate can process an NIE (foreigner identification number) if you need it for Spain-related economic, professional or social reasons, such as buying property or opening a bank account. You usually need the EX-15 form, a passport copy, proof of your reason and proof of fee payment, and each consulate sets its own appointments and times. If you get a long-stay visa, the NIE normally comes with your residence card in Spain. Read "What you can finish before you land in Spain" and "Your Spanish visa: when to enter and what it allows" next.

How long should I allow for visa paperwork before leaving?

Allow several months in total, because the consulate appointment can take weeks to several months and the decision can take a few weeks to about 3 months after that. Apostilles and sworn translations also need time, from a few days up to several weeks. Read "Your countdown: 3 months, 1 month and 1 week before leaving" and "Your Spanish visa: when to enter and what it allows" next.

Which foreign documents need an apostille and a sworn translation?

Documents you give to Spanish authorities from abroad usually need an apostille first, then a sworn translation into Spanish. Countries outside the Hague Convention need full consular legalisation, which takes longer. Read "Which original documents to carry on you instead of shipping" and "What you can finish before you land in Spain" next.

Which home contracts can I cancel without a penalty?

Utilities and streaming services can usually be cancelled at short notice without a penalty. Phone, internet and TV contracts often have a minimum term of 12 months and may charge exit fees, and gyms often need notice too. Read "Which home accounts, leases and registrations to close or keep" and "Your countdown: 3 months, 1 month and 1 week before leaving" next.