Hey, I'm Dee
I moved to Spain in 2019, and I've been fighting the bureaucracy ever since.
You can't get an appointment. You finally get one, go in, and they tell you everything's fine — then nothing works like it's supposed to. You show up somewhere and don't even know if you're in the right place. The office is closed at the exact hours a normal person could go. Nobody tells you which form you need. The official website says one thing on one page and something different on another — because half of it is outdated and the links are dead.
I learned all of this the hard way, over years. So I put it into one simple checklist: the right form, the right office, what to bring, in the right order. It's the tool I wish someone had handed me in 2019.
— Dee
What I've actually done
Since moving here I've worked full-time in Spain and registered as self-employed. I've personally handled:
- ✓NIE and TIE applications
- ✓Empadronamiento across four regions
- ✓Social security registration
- ✓Autónomo setup and quarterly filings
- ✓Spanish health card and doctor registration
- ✓UK-to-Spanish driving licence exchange
- ✓Bank accounts, utilities, and more
I've lived in Navarra, Málaga, Almería, and Valencia, and been through five homes. That means different offices, different appointment systems, and different local quirks — all of which feed into the guides here.
Why this site exists
Spanish Paperwork Made Simple is the resource I wish had existed when I arrived. It doesn't replace a lawyer or a gestor, but it gives you a clear, up-to-date plan before you walk into any office — so you know what to expect, what to bring, and what questions to ask.
The rules change. The links break. I keep this current because I'm still living it.
Get in touch
Questions, corrections, or just want to say hola? I'm around.