First Steps When Relocating to Spain with Your Family

Moving to Spain with your family is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. Knowing the correct order of tasks makes the process smoother. In Spain, the first things you need to do are legal matters, followed by school research, and then finding the right area to live.

Legal Matters Come First

Before anything else, ensure your family has the right legal status:

• NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero): Required for almost everything — opening a bank account, signing a rental contract, enrolling children in school.

• Residence permits or visas: Confirm that all family members have the correct documentation for living in Spain.

• Empadronamiento: Registration at the local town hall. Essential for school applications and access to public services.

Legal matters are non-negotiable — without them, nothing else can move forward.

Research and Apply to Schools

Once legal status is secured, your next priority is finding the right school for your children:

• Determine whether public, concertado, or private/international schools are the best fit.

• Start applications early, as some popular schools fill up months in advance.

• Consider your child’s age, language skills, and long-term academic goals.

Schools in Spain often require proof of residence, so having your NIE and empadronamiento completed first is crucial.

Choose the Right Area to Live

After securing legal documents and beginning the school process, you can focus on housing:

• Select neighborhoods near your chosen school, transport links, and amenities.

• Decide whether to rent short-term first or secure a longer-term home immediately.

• Consider lifestyle factors: parks, sports, international communities, and proximity to work.

In Spain, many families prioritize housing after schools, not before, to ensure their children are close to the right educational environment.

Partnering with Trusted Experts

At Smooth Move - International Education Consultancy, we give priority to customer service excellence. That’s why we partner only with legal and real estate experts who share our high standards, and who have deep expertise in their field, not just general knowledge.

This means your family benefits from:

• Accurate, up-to-date legal guidance for visas, NIE, and empadronamiento.

• Expert advice in finding the right home in the right area for your family.

• A seamless relocation experience where every detail is handled by professionals you can trust.

Final Thoughts

In Spain, the sequence matters: legal matters first, schools second, and housing third. Following this order prevents delays, ensures smoother school admissions, and helps your family settle without unnecessary stress.

At Smooth Move – International Education Consultancy, we guide families through every step of the relocation process — partnering with top-tier experts to deliver a truly stress-free experience.

Contact us today to start planning your family’s move to Spain with confidence and peace of mind.