Your first 30 days in Barcelona: a step-by-step plan

Before you start

• Your passport or national ID card, and your visa if you needed one
• Somewhere to stay whose owner or tenant will support your padró registration

Documents you need

• Passport (or national ID card for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens)

  required

• National visa or residence authorisation

  Non-EU citizens.

  optional

• Lease of at least three months or the owner's authorisation

  required

• Employment contract or employer's certificate

  optional

• Fee form 790 code 012

  optional

Step by step

1. 1

   Step 1: Day 1: Book your police appointment

   Go to the government's cita previa system, select Barcelona and choose:

   • non-EU nationals: fingerprinting and card issue (toma de huellas, expedición de tarjeta), or the procedure for cards resolved by the Directorate-General for Migration if you hold a Law 14/2013 permit (highly qualified professional, teleworker, researcher and similar);
   • EU, EEA and Swiss citizens: the EU citizen registration certificate (certificado de registro de ciudadano de la UE).

   Barcelona International Welcome warns that demand is high and you may not get an appointment at the first attempt. Keep trying and check other police stations in Barcelona province. See NIE and TIE in Spain and EU registration certificate in Spain.

2. 2

   Step 2: Days 1-3: Save emergency numbers and get a transport pass

   Save 112 (all emergencies) and 061 (Catalonia's health line). Load a T-usual (€22.80 for 30 days in zone 1, 2026) or, if you are under 30, a T-jove (€45.50 for 90 days, all zones) on a T-mobilitat card or phone. See Public transport in Barcelona.

3. 3

   Step 3: Week 1: Register in the padró

   Book an appointment at an Oficina d'Atenció Ciutadana or apply online with a digital signature. You need an original ID document and proof that you can live at the address: a lease of at least three months or a signed authorisation from the owner or main tenant with a copy of their ID. It is free. See Registering in the Barcelona padró.

4. 4

   Step 4: Week 1: Get your social security number (if you will work)

   Request it online on Import@ss with a selfie and a photo of your passport or NIE, or ask your employer to request it. Your employer must register you with Social Security before your first day. See Getting your Spanish social security number.

5. 5

   Step 5: Weeks 1-2: Open a bank account

   Compare a few banks; bring your passport and, if you have it, your NIE. Everyone legally resident in the EU has the right to a basic payment account costing at most €3 a month. See Opening a bank account in Spain.

6. 6

   Step 6: Weeks 2-4: Attend your police appointment

   • TIE: bring form EX-17 (or MI-TIE), your passport with entry stamp, a photo, your padró registration (not needed for Law 14/2013 permits), your authorisation and the €16.08 fee receipt. Collect the card about 40 days later.
   • EU registration certificate: bring form EX-18, your passport or ID card, proof of work, study or resources and health insurance, and the €12 fee receipt. It is issued on the spot.
7. 7

   Step 7: Weeks 2-4: Request your CatSalut health card

   Once you are in the padró (and registered with Social Security if you work), request your TSI online or at your CAP. Approved online requests get a provisional CIP code by email. See Your CatSalut health card in Barcelona.

8. 8

   Step 8: Weeks 2-4: Search for a long-term flat

   Visit flats in person, check the previous rent and the reference index, and never pay before you have seen the flat and checked who owns it. Agency fees cannot be charged to tenants. See Finding a flat to rent in Barcelona and Tenant rights in Spain.

9. 9

   Step 9: If you have children: start school or nursery applications

   Children arriving mid-year can apply online for a school place for newly arrived students; you will need your padró registration (a volant de convivència). See Family life and schools in Spain.

Watch out

Common mistakes

• Waiting for a long-term flat before registering in the padró. A temporary address with the owner's authorisation is enough.
• Assuming private health insurance replaces the public health card; only public doctors can issue sick leave certificates.
• Forgetting that family members each need their own TIE or certificate, health card and padró registration.

Tips

• Keep a folder (paper and digital) with originals, copies and every receipt; you will reuse them for renewals.
• Ask your employer's HR team for an employer's certificate early; it is useful for the EU certificate, banks and landlords.
• Start Spanish or Catalan classes early; the CPNL's basic Catalan courses are free.

Frequently asked questions

Editorial answers written by our team, based on the sources below.

Official links

In your plan

• Book your police appointment for the TIE or EU certificateAdd to plan
• Apply for your TIE card at the policeAdd to plan
• Register in the Barcelona padróAdd to plan
• Get your EU registration certificateAdd to plan
• Get your social security numberAdd to plan
• Request your CatSalut health card (TSI)Add to plan
• Open a Spanish bank accountAdd to plan
• Get a T-mobilitat card and a transport passAdd to plan

Sources

Written and checked by HomiStart editorial against the official sources below. Next scheduled check: 5 Feb 2027.