The scams new residents in Spain actually meet

Terms used

• NIE — The NIE is the identification number Spain gives to foreigners for paperwork, taxes and contracts.
• Cita previa — A cita previa is an appointment you book in advance for most public offices; booking is free.
• Hacienda — Hacienda is Spain's tax agency.
• DGT — The DGT is Spain's traffic authority, which handles driving licences and vehicles.
• Gestorías — Gestorías are private offices that handle paperwork with public bodies for a fee.
• Bizum — Bizum is a Spanish phone app for sending money instantly between bank accounts.

Key rules

• Deposits: Never pay a deposit for a home you have not seen or cannot verify.
• Appointments: Booking a cita previa is free, so do not pay a site for a slot.
• Bank calls: Hang up on anyone claiming to be your bank's security department and call the number on your card.
• Police alerts: Check current Policía Nacional and Guardia Civil warnings, because campaigns change often.

There is no official ranking of scams and campaigns change often, so check current Policía Nacional and Guardia Civil alerts.

The short version

Scams follow your settling-in steps. Each stage has its own typical trick, and the most dangerous moments are when you are paying money or handing over documents. Use this page as a map, then read the detailed piece for the stage you are in.

Before you arrive and while house-hunting

Fake rental listings are the main danger. Watch for cloned ads, a deposit requested before you have seen the flat, and fake relocation or visa "agents". Never pay a deposit for a home you have not viewed or cannot verify. Housing is covered in more depth in the housing pieces of this guide.

Your first days

Expect airport taxi overcharging, pickpocketing, ATM skimming and tricks in SIM or phone shops. Agree or check the fare before you ride, use ATMs inside bank branches where you can, and keep phones and wallets out of sight in crowds.

Once you have a home

Look out for fake landlords, deposits charged twice, unlicensed agencies and pushy sales to switch your electricity or gas. Get a written contract and a receipt for every payment. Do not sign anything on the doorstep.

During paperwork

Fake NIE, residency and appointment sites charge for cita previa slots that are free. Fake messages from the tax agency (Hacienda) or the traffic authority (DGT) are common, and so are unauthorised gestorías. Go to the official offices and sites, and ask any adviser for proof of who they are before paying.

Online and courier purchases

Marketplace fraud on second-hand sites, fake courier fees and car-sale fraud are the usual ones. Be wary of any request to pay a "release fee" by link, or to pay outside the platform.

Everyday life

Once you are settled, the scams move to your phone and bank. These include bank phishing, Bizum requests, WhatsApp messages from a "son or daughter in trouble", and investment and romance scams. A bank will never ask you to move money to a "safe account".

What the police warn about most

Policía Nacional and Guardia Civil most often warn about:

• Phishing by email, text and phone, including fake bank, parcel, tax-agency and DGT messages, and fake calls from a bank's "security department".
• Fake rental and holiday-let listings that take a deposit.
• Online purchase fraud on marketplaces.
• The "son or daughter in trouble" WhatsApp message.
• Fake investment schemes, often with crypto, and romance scams.
• QR-code and fake parking-fine scams, and Bizum request scams.

Street tricks such as pickpocketing, the "hug" or "gold ring" trick and ATM skimming also come up regularly. Both forces publish advice on their websites and social media, so check them for current alerts.

If something looks wrong

Stop, do not pay, and do not click. Check through an official channel you find yourself, not one in the message. The warning and FAQ below cover what to watch for at each stage.

What to watch out for

• Before arrival and while house-hunting: Fake rental listings, cloned ads and requests for a deposit before you have seen the home are the most common first scam. Fake relocation or visa agents also appear at this stage. Do not send money for a place you have not viewed. Only pay once you have a signed written contract, by bank transfer to an account in the landlord's name.

• First days after landing: Airport taxis that overcharge, pickpockets, ATM skimming and tricks in phone and SIM shops are common in the first days. Agree the taxi fare or insist on the meter, use ATMs inside bank branches, and read any phone contract before you sign.

• Once you have a home: Fake landlords, deposits charged twice, unlicensed agencies and pushy utility switch sales target people who have just moved in. Keep proof of every payment. Do not sign anything at the door under pressure. A contract signed at your door can be cancelled within 14 days by written notice that leaves proof.

• During paperwork: Fake NIE, residency or appointment sites, unauthorised gestorías and fake messages from the tax agency (Hacienda) or the traffic authority (DGT) all target newcomers. Some sites charge for appointments that are free. The cita previa appointment itself is free. Pay official fees only at a bank or online, never to a private intermediary to get an appointment.

• Online and courier purchases: Marketplace fraud, fake courier fees and car sale fraud are common when you are furnishing a home and buying a car. Pay through the platform's protected payment where it exists. Be wary of a seller who wants to move the chat elsewhere or asks for an advance transfer.

• Everyday life: Bank phishing, fake calls from a bank's security department, Bizum request scams, the WhatsApp message from a child in trouble, and investment and romance scams are the types police warn about most. Never share codes or passwords. Hang up and call your bank on the number on your card, and check any urgent family request by phoning the person directly.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I find current police scam warnings in Spain?

Both the Policía Nacional and the Guardia Civil publish scam advice on their websites and social media. The Policía Nacional posts regularly on X, and the Guardia Civil runs anti-fraud campaigns. Check these before a big payment, because the scams they warn about change often.

Which scams hit newcomers once daily life has settled in?

Once you are settled, the most common scams are bank phishing, Bizum request scams and the WhatsApp message from a supposed son or daughter in trouble. Investment and romance scams also show up at this stage. If a message asks for money or codes in a hurry, stop and call the person or your bank on a number you already have.

Are street scams still a risk after the first days in Spain?

Yes, pickpocketing, the hug or gold ring trick and ATM skimming can happen at any time, not only on arrival. Police warn about them regularly. Use ATMs inside bank branches where you can, and keep your phone and wallet out of back pockets.