So, you’re ready to pack up your life in Australia and make the big leap over to Spain—exciting times ahead! But before you start sipping sangria and soaking up the Spanish sun, there’s a bit of groundwork to lay. Moving abroad isn’t exactly a walk in the park, but with the right prep (and a bit of humour), you’ll get through it. And trust me, I’ve learned a thing or two from personal experience, so I’ve packed this post with all the tips I wish someone had given me.
Disclaimer: This blog post will be continuously updated as I gather more info and tips. Moving abroad is a process, not a one-and-done thing, so keep checking back! You can also bookmark this post or subscribe to my email list for the latest updates.
clickable questions I'll be answering
Get That NIE Number, ASAP!
The Número de Identificación de Extranjero (NIE) is the holy grail of numbers in Spain. Without it, you’ll struggle to do almost anything—from renting a property to even signing up for online grocery shopping.
Pro tip: If you can swing it, apply for your visa once you get to Spain. Why? The Spanish consulates in Australia... let’s just say they won’t win any customer service awards. Plus, if you apply from Spain, you’re likely eligible for a 3-year visa instead of just a 1-year one (which you’d have to renew).
Consider hiring help: I can’t stress enough how confusing the visa process can be. Even the most organised person might end up tearing their hair out. We used Migrun—they were incredible and handled every little detail, including lots of hand-holding. If you need sworn translations (and you will), we used The Spanish Group for that part since it was cheaper and straightforward.
Our Digital Nomad Visa: The Aussie Hurdles
We ran into a bit of an issue with our Digital Nomad Visa because in Australia, we don’t issue a physical business registration certificate. The back-and-forth with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) was real. This was an issue because Spain does not like notarised copies! This meant that all our paperwork had to be original copies.
Here’s what worked for us: we got a digital certificate from ASIC (costs about $22) and sent the original email from ASIC with the link in it, to DFAT for apostilling (aka legalising). This was how they were able to verify the authenticity of the document. It took some time, but we got there. Also, if you’re sending documents via post, beware: they send it back in unregistered mail. And trust me, you don’t want to lose those important papers in the post.
If you'd like to know more about visas in spain you can CLICK HERE to read that dedicated post.
Thinking About Buying Property? Get a Lawyer!
Here’s where it gets tricky. Unlike Australia, real estate agents in Spain are not regulated. Anyone can become one, which is why you need to hire a property lawyer. Make sure they’re local to the area you’re buying in, so they understand local laws and customs. We found out about Just Law Solicitors a little too late but they are basically the go to for when you need a lawyer in spain as a foreigner. They have offices and lawyers all over and its run by a British man so they very much operate like us westerners (prompt and on the ball haha). And a little tip: rural houses are often sold illegally (yep, you read that right), so your lawyer needs to check the house is 100% legal before you sign anything. If the house isn’t up to code, negotiate in the contract that the sale only goes through once it’s fully legal.
Other Costs to Consider When Buying a House:
VAT: This is the tax on new builds.
ITP: A tax on "second-hand" homes, ranging from 6% to 10%.
Notary fees: These range between 0.2% and 0.5%.
Legal/lawyer fees: Usually 1% to 2% of the property sale price.
Registry fees: Typically 0.1% to 0.25% of the property price.
Owning a Home in Spain: Risk of Encumbrances
One risk to owning a home in Spain is that any fines or outstanding payments are attached to the home itself, not the person. So, when you buy a house, you might inherit debts from the previous owner. To avoid this, request a "Nota Simple", a document that ensures the house is free from debts. You can get this through your lawyer or local council. We ordered ours online (a costly mistake—it was about six times the price), but if you’re as impatient as we were, you can find it on Registro. That said, it’s always best to order your own copy, even if an agent sends you one, just to ensure it’s not forged.
Once you have the Nota Simple, you'll need to translate it and read it. We use Google Translate to do so and then once it's translated, it can be tricky to understand. We found this video on YouTube that made it a lot more digestable.
Home Insurance with a Twist
Spain does home insurance a little differently. With some companies, you get a DIY budget! Ours offers 3 hours of labour hire a year. So, I can call someone to install a heater or even assemble flat-pack furniture for me. How cool is that?
Renovating in Spain: Permits and Permits
When it comes to renovations, Spain loves its permits. There are two main types:
Licencia de Obra Mayor (for big projects like new buildings, major renovations, or demolitions)
Licencia de Obra Menor (for smaller projects like painting, interior work, and fence repairs).
Be careful trying to skirt around these rules—inspectors in Spain are known to patrol looking for unpermitted work, especially in more disadvantaged areas where fines are a source of revenue for local councils.
Purchasing a Car in Spain
Buying a car in Spain has its quirks. For one, Spain doesn’t have a permanent “roadworthy test” like Australia. Instead, all cars must undergo the ITV (roadworthiness test), starting 4 years after their first registration, every 2 years thereafter, and annually once the car is 10 years old.
This is good news if you’re buying second-hand, as cars are generally better maintained. But watch out for odometer fraud—it’s common. The safest way to go is to buy from a dealership, as they often offer a 1-year warranty for peace of mind.
Milanuncios & Wallapop were our two go to websites for finding a car.
When registering a car in your name, you’ll need proof of address. This could be either the deed of the house you own or a rental agreement. Since many rentals in Spain are holiday lets without formal agreements, you may need to ask your landlord for one or, if that’s not possible, use a friend’s address.
Driving in Spain (Or How to Avoid Being Stuck at a Roundabout Forever)
To drive in Spain, you’ll need an international driver’s licence (which you can get from RACV in Australia), as Spain doesn’t recognise the Aussie one. Also, if you’re buying a car, Spanish law says you must insure it before driving.
Another thing to keep in mind is that after 6 months you will need to apply for your Spanish licence, and you will have 6 months to pass. Unfortunately, this is because Australia doesn’t currently hold an agreement with Spain (but this could change). However, if you’re from New Zealand, you’re in luck because they just signed the agreement back in 2023. That means that with an NZ licence, you can go in and swap your licence for a Spanish one.
And here’s something cool: ATVs and buggies are legal to drive just about anywhere in Spain—except the freeways. Who knew, right?
Flying to Spain? Google Flights is Your Friend
If you’re still booking flights, definitely check Google Flights. It’s often the best way to find the cheapest tickets, especially if you’re booking on your own.
Get a Local Mobile Number Early
Here’s something I wish I’d known sooner—get a Spanish mobile number ASAP. I went through this whole phase of trying to get quick online quotes for various services, but without a local number, many online forms wouldn’t even let me proceed to the next page. It’s frustrating when all you want is a simple quote, but the system keeps kicking you back because your phone number isn’t local.
Getting an eSIM when you’re not yet in Spain turned out to be a bit of a nightmare, but I eventually managed to sort it out through Orange. Now, I’ve got a Spanish eSIM for just €10 a month—problem solved!
Sorting Out Services Without Losing Your Mind
If you’re not fluent in Spanish, you might find yourself drowning in web pages trying to set up basic services like internet, electricity, and insurance. After what felt like an endless search, I stumbled across a gem of a company called Compare in Spain. It’s run by two British expats, and within a week, they had everything sorted out for me. A big plus: they handle insurance claims for you, so no awkward phone calls in broken Spanish!
August is Basically a No-Go in Spain
Spain shuts down in August. And I mean that literally. It’s scorching hot, and everyone’s either on holiday or simply not in the mood to work. So, if you’re trying to get anything important done, avoid August at all costs. We learned this the hard way.
Working Remotely from Spain: A Bonus for Aussies
One of the great things about working remotely from Spain as an Australian is that both countries have a tax treaty. This means you won’t have to deal with double taxation, and paying your taxes in Australia is recognised by Spain. For digital nomads, this is a huge benefit as it keeps your financial processes simple, and your business or work setup can remain largely the same as it was in Australia.
Bonus tip: Spain is one of the few countries that allows digital nomads to earn up to 20% of their income from Spanish sources while on a Digital Nomad Visa. So, if you happen to pick up local clients or projects, you’re still in the clear!
Moving to Spain from Australia with Pets: What You Need to Know
Moving to Spain (or any EU country) from Australia with pets is no small feat. There are a lot of steps involved, and although you can avoid most of the hassle by using a pet shipping agency, the cost can be steep. For us, the price just wasn’t justifiable. We looked into agencies, but they couldn’t guarantee our pets would be on the same flight with us, which was a deal-breaker.
Enter Turkish Airlines—they made it possible to travel with pets in the cabin, and it changed everything for us. Here’s a breakdown of our experience and what you need to know:
Things to Note:
Weight limits: Turkish Airlines, like most airlines, has weight limits for pets in the cabin, so make sure your cat or dog fits within the guidelines. However they are the only airline that allows pets on international flight from Australia
In-cabin or cargo: You can book either option, but we chose in-cabin for peace of mind.
The allergy factor: Unfortunately, if someone on your flight has a pet allergy, your pet might need to go in cargo. We planned ahead by bringing soft in-cabin pet carriers and collapsible cargo cages as a backup.
The Marathon:
Rabies Vaccination: This is non-negotiable. Your pets need to be vaccinated for rabies to enter Spain.
Export Vet: You’ll need to find an export vet who knows the ins and outs of pet travel to Europe. They must see your pets within 72 hours of your flight.
DAFF Appointment: After your vet gives the health check, you must book with Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) to give your pets the final approval for customs. This has to be done on the day of your flight, which can be stressful if your flight falls on a weekend or a Monday!
Forms You’ll Need:
Notice of Intention to Export Live Animals (other than Livestock): This is to allow you to book the appointment with DAFF and you'll need to fill this out after your first visit with the export vet (after the rabies vaccine)
Vet Export Health Certificate: Your vet fills this out to confirm your pet's health status for travel. This will be filled out in your last appointment with the vet and given to the agent at DAFF.
Spain Import Certificate: Your vet fills this out to confirm your pet's details and records. This will also be filled out on your last visit with your vet and it is to be presented to the import officer at the airport in spain.
Non-Direct Flight Declaration: Since our flight wasn’t direct (as all flight from Aus would be), we also needed a form declaring that our pets wouldn’t leave the airport during our stopover.
I have put together this zip file which contains all the forms you'll need throughout this process.
Plan Well in Advance!
If there’s one piece of advice I can give, it’s to plan this process well in advance. Out of everything we’ve had to do for the move, the pet transport has been the most exhausting, with a lot of coordination between vets, airlines, and government agencies.
Final Thoughts (For Now)
Moving to Spain from Australia, or anywhere for that matter, is an adventure full of excitement—but it’s not without its challenges. Whether you’re navigating visas, finding rentals, buying a car, or even trying to avoid inheriting someone else’s debts when buying a house, it’s all part of the experience. This blog will keep growing as I learn more, so be sure to check back regularly for updates. Don’t forget to bookmark this post or subscribe to my email list to stay in the loop!
The process can be long, exhausting, and sometimes lonely. Even after all the paperwork and logistics, there’s still the challenge of meeting new people and settling into your new life. It’s definitely a journey, but you don’t have to go through it alone.
That’s why I’d love for you to reach out! If you found this post helpful, I’d love to connect and hear about your own experiences. A strong sense of community makes all the difference, and together, we can tackle anything!
By the way, we’re moving to Montefrío, Granada—where are you thinking of moving? Drop a comment and let us know where you’re at in your journey!
From Spain with Love,
Jasmine & Andrew
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