Welcome to the sun: moving to Barcelona from the EU
You’ve probably visited Barcelona before, but moving to the Mediterranean city is a whole new experience.
Remember this letters: NIE
Wondering what you will need to live in Barcelona as a European? NIE stands for Número de Identificación de Extranjeros, which, in English, means “Foreigner Identification Number”. This is the most important thing you will need once you move to Barcelona; you will have to get this special ID card to rent a flat, open a bank account or simply work in Barcelona.
Obtaining it is relatively straightforward: you will have to book an appointment at the Department of Foreigners (Extranjería) - an individual date for each person, that is, one appointment per family member. Besides, you will need all the documents: the original application EX-15 standard form, a copy of the application, your passport, a form 790, code 12, duly completed, and the payment of the corresponding fee (around 10€). You will need no special visa since you are a European citizen but bear in mind there are agencies and ex-pat NIE facilitators that can help you with the process.
Obtaining it is relatively straightforward: you will have to book an appointment at the Department of Foreigners (Extranjería) - an individual date for each person, that is, one appointment per family member. Besides, you will need all the documents: the original application EX-15 standard form, a copy of the application, your passport, a form 790, code 12, duly completed, and the payment of the corresponding fee (around 10€). You will need no special visa since you are a European citizen but bear in mind there are agencies and ex-pat NIE facilitators that can help you with the process.
Health first
Once you’ve sorted the documentation for a European ex-pat to reside long-term in the fun and sunny city, moving to the Mediterranean coast will be no trouble. It is true, though, that finding a flat might be tricky, but some agencies (yes, Barcelona is well prepared to welcome EU citizens) can help you with that.
On the other hand, asking which hospital/doctor you can access is an excellent idea. If you live in Barcelona and have a NIE, you can benefit from the public health system, which allows you to have a family doctor that you can visit anytime you feel unwell or for yearly checkups. Depending on the location of your flat, you will have a dedicated healthcare centre, so you will only have to find out which one, go there and ask the administration people to select a doctor for you. Through the online portal La Meva Salut, you will be able to book appointments, see your results, make easy-to-solve questions, and confirm vaccination status.
On the other hand, asking which hospital/doctor you can access is an excellent idea. If you live in Barcelona and have a NIE, you can benefit from the public health system, which allows you to have a family doctor that you can visit anytime you feel unwell or for yearly checkups. Depending on the location of your flat, you will have a dedicated healthcare centre, so you will only have to find out which one, go there and ask the administration people to select a doctor for you. Through the online portal La Meva Salut, you will be able to book appointments, see your results, make easy-to-solve questions, and confirm vaccination status.
With a little help
Relocating to Barcelona from the EU is more manageable than imagined if you understand a little bit of Spanish; if not, getting help from ex-pat communities or agencies that do this job can be the best option for you. People at desks usually speak reasonably good English, so tasks like opening a bank account will be an excellent first touchpoint with how the city works.
All in all, make sure you learn to say “gracias” because many people will be saying… “¡Bienvenido!” (welcome) to you.
All in all, make sure you learn to say “gracias” because many people will be saying… “¡Bienvenido!” (welcome) to you.
You’ve probably visited Barcelona before, but moving to the Mediterranean city is a whole new experience.
Remember this letters: NIE
Wondering what you will need to live in Barcelona as a European? NIE stands for Número de Identificación de Extranjeros, which, in English, means “Foreigner Identification Number”. This is the most important thing you will need once you move to Barcelona; you will have to get this special ID card to rent a flat, open a bank account or simply work in Barcelona.
Obtaining it is relatively straightforward: you will have to book an appointment at the Department of Foreigners (Extranjería) - an individual date for each person, that is, one appointment per family member. Besides, you will need all the documents: the original application EX-15 standard form, a copy of the application, your passport, a form 790, code 12, duly completed, and the payment of the corresponding fee (around 10€). You will need no special visa since you are a European citizen but bear in mind there are agencies and ex-pat NIE facilitators that can help you with the process.
Obtaining it is relatively straightforward: you will have to book an appointment at the Department of Foreigners (Extranjería) - an individual date for each person, that is, one appointment per family member. Besides, you will need all the documents: the original application EX-15 standard form, a copy of the application, your passport, a form 790, code 12, duly completed, and the payment of the corresponding fee (around 10€). You will need no special visa since you are a European citizen but bear in mind there are agencies and ex-pat NIE facilitators that can help you with the process.
Health first
Once you’ve sorted the documentation for a European ex-pat to reside long-term in the fun and sunny city, moving to the Mediterranean coast will be no trouble. It is true, though, that finding a flat might be tricky, but some agencies (yes, Barcelona is well prepared to welcome EU citizens) can help you with that.
On the other hand, asking which hospital/doctor you can access is an excellent idea. If you live in Barcelona and have a NIE, you can benefit from the public health system, which allows you to have a family doctor that you can visit anytime you feel unwell or for yearly checkups. Depending on the location of your flat, you will have a dedicated healthcare centre, so you will only have to find out which one, go there and ask the administration people to select a doctor for you. Through the online portal La Meva Salut, you will be able to book appointments, see your results, make easy-to-solve questions, and confirm vaccination status.
On the other hand, asking which hospital/doctor you can access is an excellent idea. If you live in Barcelona and have a NIE, you can benefit from the public health system, which allows you to have a family doctor that you can visit anytime you feel unwell or for yearly checkups. Depending on the location of your flat, you will have a dedicated healthcare centre, so you will only have to find out which one, go there and ask the administration people to select a doctor for you. Through the online portal La Meva Salut, you will be able to book appointments, see your results, make easy-to-solve questions, and confirm vaccination status.
With a little help
Relocating to Barcelona from the EU is more manageable than imagined if you understand a little bit of Spanish; if not, getting help from ex-pat communities or agencies that do this job can be the best option for you. People at desks usually speak reasonably good English, so tasks like opening a bank account will be an excellent first touchpoint with how the city works.
All in all, make sure you learn to say “gracias” because many people will be saying… “¡Bienvenido!” (welcome) to you.
All in all, make sure you learn to say “gracias” because many people will be saying… “¡Bienvenido!” (welcome) to you.
