Our resident writer in Spain, Sally, shares her experience of moving homes in Spain. Find out what is on her to-do list to assist you on your move.
Here are Sally’s to-dos and key contacts.
I will be moving to a new apartment after 11.5 years, which although due to circumstances beyond my control, I am looking upon as a new chapter in my life in Spain.
One becomes attached to one’s home but changing it isn’t a bad thing and you always take yourself with you though maybe not all the stuff you have accumulated over time. Apart from the hassle of packing everything and then unpacking everything, employing a removal firm and deciding what not to take, there is the administrative side that needs addressing and that isn’t a simple task.
In this article, I will examine all that you need to do when moving within Spain. I should mention that I will be in the same town, so I am not moving to another region but there are still 1001 items on my “to do” list.
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National Requirements
You must inform all the State and Regional administrations of your new address.
1. El Empadronamiento. You need to go to your town hall to tell them about your change of address. Take a copy of your lease or the sales contract. This is important as town halls receive funds for each person resident within their municipal area, so if you are moving to another region they need to know. Similarly, if you are remaining in the same town, they will need your new address.
2. TIE and NIE. Your NIE number is the key that opens doors to everything bureaucratic in Spain. The NIE number is your identity number, Número de Identidad de Extranjero.
British people who are residents should by now have a TIE card, which is credit card size with your photo. If, for some reason, you still have the old style green NIE card, I urge you to change it as soon as possible. It is often not recognised by airlines and passport control as proof of your residency. People coming to live in Spain after Brexit, will automatically get the TIE card.
3. Health Centre. Your local CAP, Centre d’Atenció Primaria, will need your new address and phone number if that is changing. If you have the health app, it is vital that the CAP and local hospital are aware of your new address. This also goes for anyone with a medical alarm, private or through social security.
4. Driving Licence. Again, extremely important. You need to inform the Dirección General de Tráfico or DGT of your new address. you can now do this online.
5. Tax office. Hacienda. It is vital to let them know that you have moved. There are fines for those who fail to do so. If you have changed your autonomous region it is absolutely necessary as each region has its own taxes. Head here for more information.
Fortunately, you can now inform the authorities of your new address for TIE, Driving licence and Health Centre in one place. The website is in Spanish but any translating service will help you to understand what to do.
You’ll also need to contact…
There are a host of other organisations that will need your new address.
1. Banks. If you have more than one bank, both in the UK and Spain you need to tell them all you have moved. Most banks have a secure messaging service and you can use that. You might get a call from them to check that it is you, the account holder, who has moved.
2. Utilities. Your electricity and gas provider, telephone/internet provider and water company will need the new address. In any case, you will have to contact them to terminate your contract or to arrange to be connected in your new home. They usually need a week’s notice to make new connections.
3. Insurance. Your insurance companies will also require your new address. For house insurance, you will probably have to have a new contract but for car and health insurance it is just a case of informing them.
4. Online accounts. You probably have several of these: Netflix, Amazon, online shops, supermarket Apps and so on. You can let them know your change of address when you place an order or renew your contract.
5. Friends and family. You will likely be exhausted after doing all of the above, but it is your friends and family that probably are the most important when telling your new address. One way is to group all your personal friends under one file and family in another. Then you can send out a mail shot to each group without having to send individual notifications.
Have you forgotten anyone or any company, administrative body or online shop? Not to worry. If you have done all of the above, those you haven’t yet informed are less important and you can do that as time passes. Please remember to do the Empadrónamiento first and ask for several copies as you will need this document to show other authorities.
I know I shall be kept very busy for the next few weeks, but being aware of the websites and requirements makes everything a whole lot easier. Still, I must admit I am looking forward to the day that I will have unpacked, have told all the above of my new address and will be sitting in my new garden in the sun with a glass of wine relaxing!
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