What is the first thing I should sort out when moving to Valencia?

For non-EU nationals (British post-Brexit and American), your residence status decides everything and must be arranged before you arrive. Secure the right visa first, such as the digital nomad or non-lucrative visa; EU citizens, including the Irish, don't need a visa.

What order should I do the Valencia admin in during my first 90 days?

Follow the smart sequence: visa, then padrón (empadronamiento), then NIE and TIE, then a bank account, then your SIP health card, and finally a long lease. The empadronamiento is free with just your passport and unlocks almost everything else.

When do I need to apply for my TIE card in Valencia?

As a non-EU national you have 30 days from your entry into Spain to start your TIE card, which costs €16.03. Since the EU Entry/Exit System launched in April 2026 your entry date is logged automatically.

Moving to Valencia in 2026: your first 90 days

21 April 2026 · Roman Guirao

EU or non-EU, padrón, NIE, TIE, bank, SIP card, housing: the full roadmap for your first 90 days, in the right order.

Moving to Valencia in 2026: your first 90 days

Valencia is decided. Now the admin - and in Spain, doing things in the right order pays off. Here's the 90-day roadmap.

First: your status decides everything

As a non-EU national since Brexit, you need a residence permit before arriving: digital nomad visa (income ~€2,849/month, 80% from outside Spain), non-lucrative visa, or work/study. Note: the property golden visa was scrapped in 2025, and you can no longer switch from the non-lucrative visa to the nomad visa from inside Spain.

Weeks 1-2: the empadronamiento

Register your address at the town hall - free, passport is enough. It unlocks almost everything (bank, TIE, health card, school) and speeds up your NIE appointment.

Weeks 2-4: NIE & TIE

The NIE is by appointment only (cita previa: pick Valencia, then Policía-NIE) - book early. As a non-EU national you then have 30 days from entry to start your TIE card (fee €16.03); since the EU EES (April 2026) your entry date is logged automatically.

Bank, health & housing

Open a Spanish bank account (NIE + proof of address; neobanks are quick). Get your SIP health card after ~3 months of padrón - keep private insurance meanwhile (often required for your visa). For housing, expect deposits; many start with a short furnished let, then sign a long lease.

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Smart order: visa → padrón → NIE + TIE → bank → SIP card → long lease.

Rules and amounts change - always check official sources first.

Official sources

Gratuit

Le Livre blanc de l'expat à Valencia

NIE, empadronamiento, fiscalité, école, logement : tout l'essentiel pour s'installer, réuni dans un guide PDF. Laisse ton e-mail, on te l'envoie.