Spain
Your start in Madrid
Spain's capital, with over 3.4 million residents in 21 districts. The city council runs the padrón, the central government's immigration offices and the National Police handle residence papers, and the Community of Madrid runs health care, schools and the regional transport pass. Rents are high and not capped by a stressed-market declaration.
At a glance
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain, with more than 3.4 million people in the city proper and about 6.8 million in the metropolitan area. The municipality is divided into 21 districts and 131 administrative wards (barrios). Madrid is both a city (Ayuntamiento de Madrid) and the capital of the surrounding region, the Community of Madrid (Comunidad de Madrid), and newcomers deal with both.
Who handles what for newcomers
- Padrón and city services: the city council registers residents in the padrón at its 26 Línea Madrid citizen service offices (Oficinas de Atención a la Ciudadanía), by appointment only, or online with a digital ID. Its information line is 010 (914 800 010 from outside the city).
- Immigration: the central government's immigration office (Oficina de Extranjería) at Calle Silva, 19 handles residence applications; the National Police issue TIE cards at Avenida de los Poblados (Aluche) and other stations, and EU registration certificates, by appointment.
- Health: the regional health service (SERMAS) issues the health card through your local health centre (centro de salud); you can choose your family doctor.
- Transport: one regional fare system run by the Consorcio Regional de Transportes de Madrid (CRTM) covers Metro, EMT buses, Cercanías trains and light rail.
- Work: the Community of Madrid's employment offices and the city's Agencia para el Empleo offer free job search help.
- Schools and nurseries: places in publicly funded schools are allocated by the Community of Madrid; the city also runs its own network of nursery schools (escuelas infantiles).
- Free help: the city's two immigrant information offices, its free immigration legal advice through district social services, and the Madrid Bar Association's legal guidance services (Servicios de Orientación Jurídica).
Renting in Madrid
Madrid is one of Spain's most expensive rental markets. Brains Real Estate puts average asking rents in the city at €25.6 per m² a month in the first quarter of 2026, up 12.2% in a year. The Community of Madrid has not declared any stressed housing zones, so the rent caps that apply in Barcelona do not apply here; national tenancy law, including the rules in force since 8 October 2026, still does.
The HomiStart Madrid guides are general information, not legal or immigration advice. Confirm details with the official sources linked in each guide.
An overview of moving to Spain, your first month in Madrid and the emergency numbers to save on day one.
Moving About 30 minutes to read; preparation usually takes several months Arrival Spread over about four weeks; most steps need one appointment or online form Emergencies Five minutes to save the numbers in your phone
Choosing a visa or residence route, the NIE and TIE, the EU registration certificate, and registering in the Madrid padrón.
Residence and visas Several weeks to several months, depending on the route and the consulate Registration About an hour to prepare forms and fees; appointments can take weeks to obtain Residence and visas One appointment of under an hour; finding an appointment can take several weeks Registration One appointment at a citizen service office, plus waiting for the appointment; the city has up to three months to decide Registration One appointment or online application; confirmation in Barcelona takes about seven days online
Finding a flat in an expensive market, deposits, guarantees and your rights as a tenant.
Housing Often several weeks to a few months Housing About 30 minutes to read before you sign a lease Money About 30 minutes to draft a first budget with this guide
How the public health system works, getting your Madrid health card and choosing a family doctor.
Healthcare Usually a few days to a few weeks after you are registered in the padrón and with Social Security Healthcare About 20 minutes at the health centre or online; the card arrives about three to four weeks after validation Insurance About 20 minutes online; requests without a digital certificate need identity verification first
Looking for a job, recognition of qualifications and your rights as an employee.
Jobs Ongoing; plan several hours a week, often for months Employment About 20 minutes to read; keep it for reference Insurance About 20 minutes online; requests without a digital certificate need identity verification first
What life in Madrid costs, opening a bank account, income tax and the special regime for people moving to Spain.
Money About 30 minutes to draft a first budget with this guide Banking Under an hour in a branch or online, once you have your documents Taxes Under an hour for a simple return using the draft; longer with foreign income or self-employment
Metro, buses and trains on one regional fare system, the personal transport card and 2026 prices.
Nursery places, school admissions, children arriving mid-year and the bilingual programme.
Schools A few hours to research and apply; places are allocated over several weeks Schools An afternoon to understand the system; school applications take several weeks
Learning Spanish, public language schools and exams for Spanish nationality.
Neighbourhoods on the map
Select a pin to read about a neighbourhood.
Map of neighbourhoods in Madrid