0–3 Months Before You Move to Spain
You’re in the final stretch! This period is all about wrapping up your life at home while securing the digital and physical connections you’ll need the moment you land in Spain.
Finalize Your MoveYour Key Steps
1. Visa Approval & Passport
Verify that your entry dates and visa conditions align with your travel plans.
- Collect your passport with the stamped visa.
- Double-check that the visa start date matches your planned arrival.
- Maintain digital and physical copies of every page of your passport.
2. Financial Landing Gear
Ensure you have access to Euro funds for immediate expenses like deposits and initial rent.
- Move money into a European account using low-fee transfer services.
- Transfer enough to cover at least two months of living expenses.
- Notify your home banks of your relocation to maintain access to your funds.
3. Housing & Travel Strategy
Experts strongly recommend short-term stays to avoid the risks of renting long-term sight-unseen.
- Book an Airbnb or Booking stay for 3–4 weeks to stress-test your neighborhood choice.
- Lock in your flight and ensure you have an onward travel plan from the airport.
- Verify that your housing address matches your official visa paperwork.
4. Health & Medical Continuity
Stockpile essential health items that may be expensive or require a new prescription in Spain.
- Collect physical copies of medical records for specialists or pre-existing conditions.
- OTC Meds: Stockpile home-country flu, allergy, and pain relief medications.
- Fill all current prescriptions to cover your transition period.
5. Driving Licenses (IDP)
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is essential for legality during your first 6 months.
- Apply for the IDP in your home country before departure.
- Confirm if your home country has a license exchange agreement with Spain.
- Prepare for the possibility of taking the Spanish driving test if no agreement exists.
6. Digital Security & Virtual Mail
Ensure you can manage your home-country affairs and digital life without interruptions.
- VPN: Install a service to maintain access to home-country banking and streaming.
- Virtual Mail: Set up a service to scan and forward your physical mail.
- Prepare a plan for family members to scan high-priority tax or bank documents.
Virtual Mailbox locations →
7. Saying Goodbye
Emotional closure is as important as administrative readiness; don’t leave goodbyes for the last week.
- Schedule intentional visits with family and friends scattered around your home country.
- Build your new social circle early by joining regional Facebook or Meetup groups.
- Visit your favorite local spots one last time to gain closure on your current chapter.
8. Phone & SIM Setup
Make sure you’re reachable in Spain while keeping access to your home-country number for banking and security.
- Spanish Number: You’ll need a local +34 number for banks, government appointments, and deliveries.
- 2FA Access: Port your existing number to a VOIP service (like Google Voice) to continue receiving 2FA codes.
- Avoid Roaming: Use local SIMs to avoid expensive roaming fees or service cut-offs from your home provider.
- Flexible SIM: Choose a Spanish SIM or eSIM that works on arrival without requiring a Spanish bank account. Some phones only accept eSIMs (iPhone 14 or higher sold in the US)
Need personalized help?
Send us an email at hello@spainguru.es and we’ll help you prepare for your big move to Spain.