¡Bienvenidos a España!
Hola Hola! If you're reading this, there's a high chance that your student visa had been approved and you're now prepared to take on the next steps of your Spanish journey. Así pues, bienvenido a España! A festejar!
Now that you're here, you probably want to gather more information to help you settle in your new country. I remember during my time (half a decade ago!), I had to research every single thing one by one because I could not find one single blog with all the information in one piece. So in this post, I'll spoil you a little and I´ll try to address some FAQ on your upcoming move to Spain!
TOP FAQ When Moving to Spain as an International Student
#1) What Spanish Sim Card to Use and Where to Buy Them?
I know this is one of the main tasks to do right after moving to another country but worry not because getting a Spanish SIM card is incredibly easy! They're available at the major airports ie: Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) and Barcelona–El Prat Airport (BCN); in shopping malls and in their dedicated stores in the city center.
I got mine at the airport and I chose Orange because it also got recommended on the blog that I'd read. 5 years later, I still have the same sim card and operator - so good job at keeping me, Orange! However, for you to have more options, I'll outline the most popular sim card choices for international students:
Orange: Orange is one of the students´ favourite because it often offers competitive rates and packages tailored to students' needs. You can top up for as low as 10€
Movistar: One of the largest telecom providers in Spain, Movistar offers prepaid SIM cards with various data and calling options. This is a bit more expensive than the rest but it has extensive (and some say the best) coverage throughout Spain.
Vodafone: Popular among students for its flexibility and affordability, Vodafone offers customizable plans with data, calls, and texts, as well as discounted rates for calling abroad.
Lycamobile: Another students´ favourite due to its cheap rates, Lycamobile can be bought even in small stores in the city. It´s very popular to young students because its competitive rates make it easier to stay in touch with family and friends abroad.
#2) How to get from the Airport to the City Center:
It's not just me who said it but FC Barcelona too! There's 3 main ways to travel from Barcelona airport to the city center:
Aerobús: The most convenient - IMO! When you get out of the airport, Aerobús with its handsome blue-ness is already there waiting for you. It typically runs every 5-10 minutes and the journey takes around 40 minutes from the airport to Plaça de Catalunya in the city center.
Price: 6€
Airport Train (RENFE): If you are feeling pumped and ready to face the busy-ness of Barcelona´s trains, this one is for you. RENFE runs frequently throughout the day and connects the airport with several stations in Barcelona, including the major ones: Barcelona Sants, Passeig de Gràcia, and Estació de França. The travel time from the airport to the city center usually takes around 25-30 minutes.
Price: 3€
Taxi: If you just want that convenience and you don´t mind to pay more, taxi is your best option. The journey to the city center usually takes around 20-30 minute - depending on traffic conditions.
Price: 30€ or more
Hala Madrid, indeed! Because there's just more options to travel from Madrid airport to the city center!
Airport Express Bus (Exprés Aeropuerto): By now, you know my opinion. I want convenience but I also want it to be cheap. So this one is the best deal for me. The journey takes around 40-45 minutes from the airport terminals to the Atocha Railway Station in the city center.
Price: 5€
Metro (Line 8): Madrid Metro Line 8 connects the airport terminals with the city center. You can travel from the airport and get off from a big metro station like Nuevos Ministerios and just transfer to another metro line. IMO, this is too time-consuming and stressful so as much as I can, I try to avoid using this at all cost!
Price: 3€
Taxi: Again, if you just want the easy life and you don´t mind to pay more, taxi is your best option.
Price: 30€ or more
Use Uber, Cabify or Bolt: Fortunately, Madrid is like the rest of the world wherein ride-hailing services like Uber, Cabify, and Bolt are available! You can use their apps to request a ride to the city centre. This option can be convenient, especially if you're familiar with using these services.
#3) Best Places to Buy Groceries in Spain:
Let's talk about the fun bits. Where to buy these delicious jamón ibérico, aceite de oliva, ready-made croquetas, pan de pueblo and all other good groceries in Spain?
Mercadona - the largest supermarket chain in Spain, Mercadona is popular for its competitive prices, quality products, and modern stores. They have cooked meals available and a salad bar wherein you can make your own salad with all the ingredients for as low as 3.50€ Yum!
Carrefour - one of the leading hypermarket chains in Spain, Carrefour from France offers a wide range of high-quality groceries, clothing, electronics, and household goods.
DIA - known for its affordable prices and convenient locations, this is another Spanish supermarket favorite. It offers a variety of food and household products, targeting budget-conscious shoppers.
Lidl - one of my favourite stores wherein I used to shop a lot, this German discount supermarket offers a diverse selection of groceries, including fresh produce, baked goods, German chocolates, and household items, at competitive prices.
Cosmo - and if you are already missing Filipino groceries the moment you come to Spain (I'm not judging you!), Cosmo is the widely known Filipino store both in Barcelona and Madrid. I used to go to Cosmo near Universitat in Barcelona frequently to buy some Stik-O and Century Tuna lol.
AhorraMas - my favourite supermarket at the moment but I put it last because this is only available in Madrid. "Ahorramas" itself roughly translates to "more savings." It offers a variety of groceries, household items, and other goods at affordable prices!
#4) How to find Rooms in Spain as an International Student and what´s the Cost:
The rental price in Spain depends on many factors i.e. the condition of the apartment, where it's situated, if it's shared or not, etc .. It's also good to note that the rents in Spain (or at least in the 2 major cities - BCN and MAD) have been sky rocketing over the past few years. I used to pay 280 euros (with bills included) on my second accommodation in Barcelona in 2019. Now the minimum rent for a room has gone double. As of 2024, the average rent prices in the 2 main Spanish cities are as follows:
Room: 450€ – 700€/month with bills included
Studio: 750€ –950€/month no bills included
1 bedroom apartment: 950€ - 1200€/month no bills included
2 bedroom apartment: 1200€ - 1800€/month no bills included
As an international student, you can find rooms by doing the following:
#1) Leverage University Resources - Many Spanish business schools and universities offer invaluable resources and guidance for international students looking for accommodations. Sometimes, they even have partnerships with dormitories and student residences. So do check out your business school/university's website or contact their international students´ department directly. More often than not, they can provide great insights into housing options and resources in the Spanish city of your choice.
#2) Use Student-Friendly Platforms - Specialized platforms like Uniplaces, Badi, and Spotahome cater specifically to students. I got my first accommodation in Barcelona from Spotahome and I 100% recommend them. I even used them again when I moved to Madrid from Barcelona four years later.
#3) Join International Student Forums/Facebook Groups - Participating in online forums or communities for international students can be an excellent way to exchange advices, tips, and housing listings. Although I never used Facebook group to find a room/flat in Spain, I did use it once upon a life when I was trying to find my first room/bedspace in Dubai from the Philippines. I also know some acquaintances who were able to find their rooms in Barcelona from Facebook expat groups!
#4) Opt for Temporary Accommodations - In cases where securing long-term housing proves challenging, temporary options through platforms like Airbnb or Booking.com can be the best way. I suggest to book for at least a couple of months so you have ample time to find a long-term rental when you're already settling in Spain. This way, you won't feel too pressured to find a room/flat right away. This can also buy you time to explore the neighbourhoods in the city and even find friends who may be your potential roommates!
Moving to a new country is already so tough. Cut yourself some slack.
#5) Explore Real Estate Platforms - I put this last because this is the riskiest and trickiest of all. For instance, many real estate platforms in Spain are primarily in Spanish so this can lead to miscommunications, misunderstandings, and potentially signing agreements without fully understanding the terms. Another downside is that some listings on these platforms may be fraudulent or misleading so given the fact that you are still 8000 miles away, you may fall victim to scams such as fake listings, unauthorized subletting, or worst of all - rental deposits being taken without providing accommodation. Believe me, this happened a lot!
However, as long as you take everything with a grain of salt, you can navigate these platforms cautiously. My advise is VERIFY the legitimacy of listings by requesting additional information, photos, or virtual tours. You can do your own thorough research about the landlord's reputation before committing. A lot of people I know usually go for this option when they have already arrived in Spain while they are in their temporary accommodations. This way, they can visit the property personally and check them thoroughly.
While we're here, I'll give you some of the top real estate platforms in Spain!
Idealista: This stands as one of Spain's largest real estate websites, offering an extensive array of listings for sales and rentals, including apartments, rooms, offices, and houses. Its customizable search options make it easier to find the perfect fit.
Habitaclia: This platform features listings for homes, apartments, and commercial properties in Spain, as well as helpful guides and advice for property seekers.
Fotocasa: Another go-to platform when finding the perfect flat in Spain, this boasts a diverse range of rental listings across Spain, encompassing apartments, houses, and rooms tailored to personal preferences.
Pisos.com: Recognized for its comprehensive rental property listings, Pisos.com provides options for apartments, rooms, and houses searchable by location, price, size, and other filters.
#5) How to do Empadronamiento in Spain:
By now you should have heard about the famous papeleo called Empadronamiento (Padron). But if you are still confused on what it means, it is actually the process of registering your residency at the local town hall (ayuntamiento) in Spain. This is the first step for you to be able to apply for your TIE - AKA: for you to be able to stay in Spain for as long as your studies last and to finally travel to all Schengen areas!
To register for empadronamiento, you will need to book an appointment (cita) for the ayuntamiento online. The website to get a cita differs per city, but here are the links for both Barcelona and Madrid. Once you get the cita, you will need to prepare the following documents:
Valid identification document (passport with your student visa stamp on it) and a copy
Proof of accommodation (original rental contract from your landlord)
Completed empadronamiento application form (available at the town hall or online)
After completing the registration process, you will receive a certificate of empadronamiento. This document serves as proof of your residency registration and may be required for various administrative procedures in Spain including applying for TIE!
PS: I will keep on updating this post so if you have any further questions, please let me know and I can address them in any way I can!
Hasta pronto!
Salud!
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