Week 1 - Arrival and First Steps
Use your first week on Mallorca to put the foundations in place. These are not overwhelmingly complex administrative tasks - they are practical things that help you settle in quickly.
Secure your accommodation: Make sure your accommodation is arranged for at least the first week. This can be a hotel, Airbnb or your permanent flat. You need an address for all subsequent processes.
Airport and transport: Arrange your transfer from the airport. Most hotels can organise a transfer, or you can use Uber or Bolt. This is one of the first practical tasks to tick off.
Tip: Airport hints
Palma airport has a tourist information desk that can give you first-hand information. There is also free Wi-Fi. Activate a Spanish SIM card at the airport or in your first hour on the island.
SIM card / Spanish phone number: This is one of the most important tasks! You will need your phone number for many government appointments. Go to a Vodafone, Orange or Movistar shop (the big providers are everywhere). You need: your passport, a Spanish address (your accommodation address is fine) and around 20-30 EUR for a contract. Having a local number makes everything easier.
Open a bank account: Open a Spanish bank account. You need: your passport, your new Spanish phone number and possibly your accommodation address. Many banks (BBVA, CaixaBank, Santander) have straightforward online processes. A bank account is essential for all later payments and for social security.
Book your first appointment: Log in at icp.administracionelectronica.gob.es/icpplus/index.html and book an appointment for your NIE number (Numero de Identidad de Extranjero, the identification number for foreigners in Spain). Appointments are often booked up 1-2 weeks ahead, so do this straight away. This is the most important task of the week.
Important: Do not wait too long
Many people keep putting off their NIE application. That is a mistake. Appointments fill up quickly and you need the NIE for almost everything. Book an appointment in the very first week.
Weeks 2-3 - Admin
Weeks 2 and 3 are when most of your important government appointments happen. You will spend a fair amount of time at offices, but it is necessary.
Apply for your NIE number: Go to your booked appointment. Bring: your passport, the completed EX-15 form and the payment receipt for the Tasa 012 fee. You receive your certificate on the spot. This is the foundation for everything else.
Apply for Residencia (EU citizens): After the NIE you can apply for the Residencia (official EU residence registration certificate). This officially shows that you are registered as an EU citizen in Spain. Bring: NIE certificate, passport, proof of health insurance and bank statements. You receive the green Certificado on the spot.
Tip: Combine government appointments
Book your Ayuntamiento appointment (Empadronamiento) and your Extranjeria appointment (Residencia) as close together as possible so you can handle several processes on the same day or within a short time. This saves time and stress.
Empadronamiento: Register at the Ayuntamiento (town hall). This is the municipal registration and is essential. Bring: rental contract, passport and a signed confirmation from your landlord. You receive the Volante (certificate) on the spot.
Start your Certificado Digital application: While waiting for an appointment, start the online application for your Certificado Digital (digital certificate for government transactions). The online application is quick, and you will receive an appointment for in-person registration.
Health insurance: If you are not already insured, register with a Spanish health insurance provider or confirm your German insurance with an international certificate. This is required for the Residencia and should be completed by the end of this phase.
Mistake: Delaying government paperwork
Some people think they can do the admin later. That is a mistake. The sooner you complete these processes, the sooner you can build a normal routine.
Week 4 - Wrapping Up
In the fourth week you should finish your government paperwork and start on longer-term matters.
Collect your Certificado Digital: Pick up your Certificado Digital (if the appointment falls in this week). You need it for digital signatures and many online government processes.
Social security (Seguridad Social): If you are going to work, register with the social security system. Your employer normally handles this, but you can also initiate it yourself. You need: your NIE, Empadronamiento certificate and employment contract.
Finalise your mobile contract: If you do not yet have a longer-term contract, sign one now. The big providers (Vodafone, Orange, Movistar) have good deals for new customers.
Set up your flat: Take care of utilities for your flat - electricity, water, gas and internet. This often takes 1-2 weeks to process, so start in good time.
Sort out a car (if needed): If you need a car, buy or hire one now. Arrange insurance and registration (Matricula). This can be complicated, so start early.
Schools (if you have children): If you have children, enrol them in schools. You need: Empadronamiento certificate, vaccination record and school reports. This should be done by the end of the fourth week.
Further Important Steps After 30 Days
After your first month the basic admin should be sorted. There are still further tasks to attend to later.
Home contents and liability insurance: If you have a flat, take out insurance. It is not expensive and protects you against damage.
Work and taxes: If you are self-employed, register as a freelancer (Trabajador Autonomo) or set up a business. This is complicated, so you may need a Gestoria (administrative and tax consultancy).
Spanish bank accounts for transfers: Set up a system for transferring money from home to Spain. Wise is affordable and reliable, but also set up a bank account for regular transfers.
Spanish friends and network: This is informal but important. Try to find local friends and build a network. It will help you integrate into the community more quickly and get practical tips.
Review your insurance: Check your health, liability and home insurance. Make sure you are adequately covered and that there are no gaps.
Tip: A notebook for all numbers
Write down all important numbers and contacts: tax number, social security number, bank account number, insurance policy numbers and so on. Keep this notebook somewhere safe.
General Tips for Your First 30 Days
Be proactive, not reactive. Do not wait until you need something - take the steps proactively. It is faster and less stressful.
Spanish bureaucracy takes time. Spain is a bureaucracy-heavy society. Everything takes longer than you expect. Patience is key. But the processes are generally fair and understandable.
English is not enough everywhere. Many government offices work only in Spanish. Learn a few key phrases for official appointments or bring an interpreter. This saves time and mistakes.
Important: Copies and originals
Always make copies of your documents. Authorities often want both the originals and copies. Always bring both. Better to have too much than too little.
Learn the Spanish terms. Get to know the most important Spanish terms for your official dealings: NIE (Numero de Identidad), Empadronamiento (municipal registration), Extranjeria (foreigners' office), Ayuntamiento (town hall), Seguridad Social (social security). This makes communication easier.
Find a network and friends. Your first 30 days are also an opportunity to make friends. Many other expats are in the same situation as you. Join a Facebook group or a meetup. This helps you settle in more quickly and pick up practical tips.
Do not take it too seriously. Yes, the bureaucracy is tiring, but it is also part of the experience. Many people have taken the same path and it works out. Trust the process and do not take it personally.
Detailed 30-Day Checklist
Days 1-3 (Arrival)
- Accommodation arranged for at least 2 weeks
- Airport transfer arranged
- First orientation around the city
- SIM card / Spanish phone number activated
- Bank account opening planned
- NIE appointment booked at icp.administracionelectronica.gob.es/icpplus/index.html
Days 4-7 (First Admin)
- Spanish bank account opened
- Health insurance checked / arranged
- EX-15 form downloaded
- Tasa 012 paid at a bank
- Spanish mobile contract signed
- First essentials purchased (bedding, towels, etc.)
Days 8-14 (Key Government Appointments)
- NIE appointment: visited Extranjeria and received NIE number
- Residencia appointment booked (if EU citizen)
- Residencia application submitted and Certificado received
- Empadronamiento appointment booked at the Ayuntamiento
- Empadronamiento completed and Volante received
- Certificado Digital online application submitted
Days 15-21 (Further Admin)
- Certificado Digital appointment attended and certificate received
- Social security notified / registration applied for
- Health insurance finally registered
- Long-term accommodation secured (rental contract signed)
- Flat utilities arranged (electricity, water, internet)
- School enrolment (if children) started
Days 22-30 (Wrapping Up)
- All utilities activated
- Mobile contract working
- Bank account fully functional
- Employment situation clarified (if employed)
- Car bought or hired (if needed)
- Basic flat furnishings complete
- Insurance reviewed and extended if needed
- Friends and local network started
Frequently Asked Questions About Arrival
In what exact order should I do things?
The logical order is: 1) SIM card and accommodation, 2) bank account, 3) apply for and receive your NIE number, 4) Residencia (if EU citizen), 5) Empadronamiento, 6) Certificado Digital, 7) social security and further contracts. You can handle many processes in parallel - for example while waiting for a government appointment.
Can I really get everything done in 30 days?
Yes, if you are proactive and move quickly on the first steps. Most people need around 2-4 weeks for the core processes (NIE, Residencia, Empadronamiento, bank account). After that you can arrange longer-term matters such as school enrolment or a car.
What happens if I forget something?
No need to panic. Most things are not time-critical and can be caught up on later. Only school enrolment (if you have children) should be done promptly. Everything else can be arranged more flexibly.
Do I need to speak Spanish?
Basic knowledge is helpful but not essential. Many offices in Palma have English-speaking staff and many forms are available in multiple languages. But for the best results and fewer misunderstandings: learn a few key phrases or bring an interpreter.
How much does everything cost?
Most administrative processes are free. Your biggest expenses will be: SIM card / mobile (20-30 EUR), bank account (usually free), flat deposit and rent (several hundred euros), insurance and possibly a car. For the first week, budget around 200-400 EUR for admin and basic essentials.