Discover our top 10 must-dos before moving to Spain. Visas? Figured that out a long time ago. Temporary Housing in Spain? Done. Flight reservations? Check!
But what about setting up your logistics back home before moving. Are you going to close your bank accounts? What about digital access to e-books? And your mail?
You need to focus on settling-in your new home and not trying to access your bank! This list will help you identify the necessary procedures you need to complete in your home country to keep your information up-to-date and to maintain access to your bank and credit accounts, library e-books, and handle your mail.
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1. Determine Your Mailing Address
Before you leave, you will need to set an address for your government and financial documents.
First, designate a trusted US address (family member or close friend).
- Update this address with:
- Banks and financial institutions
- Credit card companies
- Investment accounts
- Social Security Administration
- IRS (via Form 8822, Change of Address)
- Voter registration
- Insurance providers
- Student loan servicers
- Create a detailed authorization letter for your mail recipient
- Set up periodic check-ins to discuss any important received mail
After receiving updated documentation, such as a bank statement, make sure you set an appointment at your closest DMV to get a new driver’s license or state ID. Remember, appointments may not be offered for several weeks in advance and the REAL ID is not issued immediately, but will take a few weeks to be sent to the address.
2. Digital Library Access
Maintain your access to e-books and audiobooks by ensuring your information at your local library is up-to-date.
Digital libraries are the perfect solution when you just want to read a book in English for free or listen to an audiobook. They also have children’s books!
- Renew your local library card before departure. Libraries require in-person renewal; subsequent renewals are every 3 years.
- Download and set up Libby and Kindle apps on your devices
- Link your library card to the account
- Test downloading a few books/audiobooks to make sure it works
- Consider subscriptions to Kindle Unlimited or Audible as backups depending on your use.
3. Mail and Document Management
Although the majority of correspondence is electronic, you will still receive mail, including confidential documents such as credit cards. By setting up a mail forwarding service, you will have access to your communications.
- Set up a reliable mail forwarding service:
- USPS Premium Forwarding Service (temporary forwarding)
- Traveling Mailbox (allows you to view and manage mail online)
4. Financial Preparations
- Set up online banking access and test it thoroughly
- Get credit/debit cards with no foreign transaction fees for emergencies and during the settling-in period
- Notify banks of travel plans (extended international stay)
- Set up automatic payments for recurring US bills
- Consider opening a Spanish bank account before moving as a non-resident (investigate requirements with different banking entities)
- Evaluate a multicurrency account (such as Wise)
- Research currency exchange options
- Set up money transfer services
5. Important Documents
- Create digital copies of all important documents, apostilling all public documentation:
- Passport and visa paperwork
- Birth certificate
- Social Security card
- Driver’s license
- Marriage/divorce certificates
- Academic diplomas and transcripts
- Medical records and vaccination history
- Tax returns (last 3-5 years)
- Power of attorney documents (for banking, for example)
- Store physical copies securely with your trusted US contact
- Upload documents to secure cloud storage
- Consider an encrypted USB drive or external hard drive as backup
6. Technology Setup
- Research and obtain a Spanish phone plan or eSIM
- Set up a VPN for accessing US-restricted content (government websites require this)
- Update addresses on digital accounts and subscriptions
- Download offline maps of your destination in Spain
- Research streaming service availability in Spain
- Check if your current phone is unlocked for international use
7. Essentials to Stock Up On
In the long term, you likely will find Spanish alternatives, but when first arriving, you do not need to worry about the right medication you need for a headache, baby Tylenol when you know your usual brand works, or that one go-to snack craving. Make sure you pack the essentials.
- OTC Medications:
- Your preferred pain relievers (Advil, Tylenol, etc.)
- Cold/flu medications (DayQuil, NyQuil, etc.)
- Allergy medications (Claritin, Zyrtec, etc.)
- Digestive aids (Pepto-Bismol, Tums, etc.)
- First aid supplies
- Any specialty items harder to find abroad
- Personal Care Items:
- Favorite brands of deodorant, toothpaste, etc.
- Specific makeup or skincare products
- Hair care products for your hair type
- Food and Spices:
- Mexican spice blends (difficult to find authentic ones in Spain)
- Ranch seasoning packets
- Cajun/Creole seasonings
- Maple syrup (real, not corn syrup versions)
- Peanut butter (the American style)
- Certain hot sauces (Frank’s RedHot, Cholula, etc.)
- BBQ sauces or rubs (although this has improved over the years…at 4 times the price in the US)
- Clothing:
- Specialty sizes that might be difficult to find
- American-brand shoes in your size (much cheaper in the US, plus sizing can be problematic in Spain)
- Plus-size items if needed (less availability in Spain)
- Sales are usually much better for namebrand clothing in the US. We always get our winter coats on sale in the US.
- Electronics:
- Voltage converters (check which electronics actually need a converter) and adapters
- Electronics with US warranties
- Replacement parts/cables for US devices
8. Medical
- Have a list minute doctor’s visit, request any necessary vaccination boosters
- Fulfill any necessary prescriptions and research the Spanish alternatives
- Make copies of eyewear prescriptions
9. Miscellaneous Important Tasks
- Get International Driving Permit if planning to drive
- Set calendar reminders for important US deadlines and renewals
10. Before You Board the Plane
- Double-check all important documents
- Confirm all address changes have been processed
- Ensure mail forwarding is active
- Test all digital access (banking, library, etc.)
- Notify credit card companies of travel date
- Exchange some money for Euros. Generally not required, but if the massive blackout from April 28 taught us anything, it was to be prepared.
- Back up all electronic devices
- Share itinerary with your trusted US contacts
Remember to check each item off as you complete it to ensure nothing falls through the cracks before your big move! These top 10 must-dos before moving to Spain will allow you to move without worrying about these easy items to update….if you remember to do them! I hope that you can relax and enjoy the experience of moving to Spain and focus on adaption.
Any must-dos before you take the plunge and move to Spain? Comment below!
