I was born and raised in Hamburg and did my vocational training there as a Kaufmann für Marketingkommunikation (a German qualification in marketing communications). Three years ago I moved to Spain. On my own and without a word of Spanish.
Why I left
I wanted to get out and try something new. More sun, more lightness and people who take time for each other. The grey weather and the mood back home made the decision easy for me.
What was hard at the beginning
- Looking for a flat. That was my first big hurdle: without Spanish paperwork and without the language.
- The authorities. Registration at the town hall, NIE, health card, GP. Nobody explains the order to you.
- Everyday life. Bank account, Bizum, mobile contract, health insurance. Lots of little things that together cost you weeks.
- University. When you enrol, there are many things you need to know in advance.
- Self-employment. Registration and taxes in a system I first had to understand.
What I know today
I did every one of these steps myself. Not read about them, did them. That is why I know where things get stuck, which documents are really required and in which order things go fastest.
What I would do differently
- Learn Spanish earlier.
- Plan the order of the visits to the authorities in advance, instead of figuring everything out one by one.
- Find someone who has already been through all of it.
Would I do it again?
Yes. I have not regretted the move for a single day. That is exactly why deinSpanien exists: so you can skip the detours I took.
More about me: About me
Don’t want to do this on your own? I have been through every one of these steps myself and am happy to guide you. Get free advice now
Free
The moving checklist as a PDF (in German)
All steps in the right order to tick off. Plus the key tips by email over the next weeks (in German). Free, unsubscribe at any time.
