Getting Set Up on Mallorca - What Matters in the First Weeks

The first weeks on Mallorca often determine how relaxed your new life starts. Between government appointments, buying furniture and signing endless contracts, daily life can quickly tip into stress. With the right order and a clear plan you can have the basics in place within two to four weeks. This guide shows you which steps to take and when, and where you can save time and money.

The first days

The first 72 hours are pure organisation. Get your bearings first, sort the most important things about the flat and head to the authorities. Hold off on bigger purchases - they will be more relaxed once you have the foundations sorted.

Arrival day:

• Arrange the key handover and move in
• Check that electricity, water and hot water are working
• Test the door locks, find the letterbox
• Photograph the main rooms with your phone for the rental contract records
• Note down emergency contacts (landlord, building management, nearest doctor)

Days 2 and 3:

• Pop to the Ayuntamiento to find out how the Empadronamiento process works
• First supermarket run: basic food, toiletries, cleaning supplies
• Sign any address form with the building management
• For families with children: get initial information about schools

Bank and account

A Spanish bank account is the central hub for almost all contracts on Mallorca. Without an IBAN with an ES prefix it is hard to get a mobile contract, an electricity contract, community fee direct debits or a long-term rental contract.

Key banks for residents:

• CaixaBank: Largest retail bank on Mallorca, branch network, English and German-speaking staff in Palma
• Banco Santander: Similar offering, many cash machines, good app
• Banco Sabadell: Solid, represented in smaller towns too
• BBVA: Strong digital offering, good app, fair terms
• N26 Spain: Fully digital, no branches, ideal as a secondary account

What you need:

• Valid passport
• NIE certificate
• Empadronamiento certificate or rental contract
• Proof of income (payslip, pension notice)

Typical account fees:

• Online account without branch use: free to 5 EUR per month
• Standard accounts: 8 to 15 EUR per month
• Accounts with premium services: 20 EUR and above

More details on terms and providers are in the article on bank accounts in Spain. A good strategy: keep two accounts - a German one for income from Germany and a Spanish one for everything that runs on the island. For low-cost transfers between the two, a tool like Wise is worth it.

Mobile and internet

Without a mobile contract you will not get far: appointment confirmations from authorities, WhatsApp messages from tradespeople, two-factor codes for the bank. Sort your mobile situation in the first week.

Mobile plans

The four networks on Mallorca:

• Movistar (Telefonica): Best network, most expensive plans
• Vodafone: Very good network, wide choice of plans
• Orange: Good network, affordable bundle packages
• MasMobil / Yoigo: Cheaper alternative, runs on Orange or Movistar network

Indicative prices (as of April 2026):

• Prepaid cards: 10 to 20 EUR for 10 to 30 GB per month
• Contract without a handset: 15 to 30 EUR for unlimited calls and 50 to 100 GB
• Bundle packages with fibre: 40 to 70 EUR per month

What you need in the first days:

• NIE and passport for the contract
• A Spanish IBAN for direct debit
• A permanent address (a temporary flat address is also accepted)

If you do not yet have a NIE, buy a prepaid card first. These are available with just a passport at almost every kiosk in Palma and at all major providers in shopping centres such as Porto Pi or FAN Mallorca.

Home internet

Fibre broadband is standard in large towns on Mallorca, often with 300 to 1000 Mbit. In smaller villages or rural areas it can be limited. Check on the providers' websites before signing a contract whether your address has fibre coverage.

Typical internet packages:

• Movistar Fusion: 600 Mbit internet plus mobile from around 60 EUR per month
• Vodafone One: similar, often with a TV package
• Orange Love: affordable bundle packages from 45 EUR
• Digi: budget provider for pure internet from 22 EUR

Installation time:

• In Palma, Manacor, Inca: 3 to 7 working days
• In rural areas or mountain regions: 2 to 4 weeks
• For a completely new connection: up to 6 weeks

Electricity and water

Electricity, water and waste collection fees must run in your name as soon as you live there. With a rental property the landlord often handles this, but clarify it in the rental contract.

Electricity

• Main providers: Endesa, Iberdrola, Naturgy, TotalEnergies
• Pricing models: fixed tariff or variable tariff (with differences by time of day)
• Registration: with your NIE, address, IBAN and CUPS number (meter number)
• Costs: standing charge 10 to 30 EUR plus consumption at around 0.15 to 0.25 EUR per kWh

Water

• Provider: depends on the municipality; in Palma, for example, EMAYA
• Registration: at the Ayuntamiento or directly with the utility
• Costs: standing charge 5 to 15 EUR plus consumption per cubic metre

Waste collection (Basura)

• Charged once a year by the Ayuntamiento or sent as an invoice
• Depending on location: 80 to 300 EUR per year
• Reductions possible for retirees or families

Gas

• Only present in a few flats on Mallorca
• Often propane cylinders via Naturgy or Repsol
• Heating and hot water are typically electric or solar

Home essentials and furniture

If your container has not arrived in the first few weeks, or you have deliberately chosen to move without furniture, you need a strategy for your initial essentials. On Mallorca there are several sources that work well in combination.

New furniture and household goods

• IKEA Palma: In Marratxi, full range, island-wide delivery 30 to 60 EUR
• Conforama, Kibuc: Spanish furniture stores, mid-price range
• El Corte Ingles: Department store in Palma, from kitchen supplies to bedding
• Bauhaus Santa Ponsa: DIY store for home improvers, furniture too
• Leroy Merlin: Large DIY store for home furnishing

Second-hand and flea markets

• Wallapop App: The Spanish equivalent of eBay Classifieds, very active on Mallorca
• Cash Converters: Branches in Palma and Marratxi, second-hand electronics and furniture
• Facebook groups: Search for "Mallorca Marktplatz" or "Buy and Sell Mallorca"
• Rastro Palma: Saturday market with furniture, crockery and curiosities

Basic essentials for the first 48 hours

• Bedding for each family member
• Towels, bath mat, shower curtain
• Saucepan, frying pan, cutlery for four people
• Plates, mugs, glasses
• Kettle or coffee machine
• Iron or steam iron
• Vacuum cleaner
• Toilet paper, cleaning products, bin bags

Budget tip: A complete starter set for a two-room flat from IKEA Palma costs 600 to 1,200 EUR if you arrive without furniture. Going second-hand can cut that figure in half.

Insurance

Two types of insurance make sense in the first weeks if you do not yet have Spanish cover: home contents and liability insurance. Both are cheaper in Spain than in Germany, though the scope differs.

Home contents insurance (Seguro de Hogar)

• Covers your possessions against fire, water damage and theft
• Often combined with liability cover (Responsabilidad Civil)
• Costs: 150 to 400 EUR per year depending on flat size
• Providers: MAPFRE, Mutua, Allianz, Generali, AXA

Liability insurance (Responsabilidad Civil)

• Often included in the home contents policy or in car insurance
• Separately around 50 to 80 EUR per year
• Important for damage caused to third parties (e.g. water damage to a neighbour's flat)

Health insurance

Health insurance is of course central, but in the first days it is usually still covered by the German statutory health insurance via the EHIC or a travel health insurance policy. Plan the switch to a Spanish or international policy in the first weeks and check our article on health insurance in Spain.

Timeline for the first 30 days

We recommend the following rhythm after arrival:

• Days 1 to 3: Get your bearings, secure basic supplies, first enquiry at the authorities
• Week 1: NIE appointment (if still outstanding), Empadronamiento, supermarket run
• Week 2: Open bank account, get prepaid SIM or sign contract, register electricity and water in your name
• Week 3: Order internet connection, take out home contents insurance, buy further furniture
• Week 4: Sort health insurance finally, enrol children for school (if needed), establish first routine

Anyone who sticks to this order will have the basic infrastructure in place after a month. After that you can focus on medium-term matters: re-registering your car, collecting your Residencia card, registering your tax ID and establishing your first routines with a doctor, pharmacy and tradespeople. For a complete overview of all the steps, we recommend our moving checklist, which brings all the pieces together in one document.

The most important tip at the end: be patient with yourself and with Spanish bureaucracy. Sometimes everything goes quickly, sometimes an appointment takes three weeks. Anyone who budgets for a buffer of two to three months starts their new life on Mallorca with a relaxed mindset.