Moving to Spain: the paperwork and practical checks, in order.

Does it matter which part of Spain you are moving to?

Yes. Mainland Spain, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands each need an exact destination. The Canaries are inside the EU customs territory but outside its VAT territory, and Ceuta and Melilla have different customs and tax boundaries again. Belongings coming from Great Britain, the USA or South America need non-EU import checks, while ordinary EU goods and Northern Ireland follow their own rules. Do not assume the position from the country name alone.

Official guidance: EU customs and VAT territory boundaries · Spanish customs: transfer-of-residence relief

Which residence route applies to you?

A non-EU national moving for more than 90 days normally needs the appropriate national visa or residence route, depending on purpose and any exemption. Work, study, family and other residence categories are distinct. EU, EEA and Swiss nationals use a separate framework, with registration requirements to check. Where you collect from does not decide your immigration status. Establish the route with the Spanish authorities, through the consulate responsible for your current country of residence, before you commit to a moving date.

Official guidance: Spanish national visa guidance · Spanish residence routes

When does Spain waive tax on household goods?

Transfer-of-residence relief is a waiver of import duty and tax on belongings you already own, and it is conditional. The standard requirements include normal residence outside the relevant territory for at least 12 months before the move and possession and use of the belongings for at least six months. Continued use, import deadlines and limits on later disposal also matter. Customs duty and import VAT do not share identical territorial boundaries, so ask which declaration, evidence and exclusions apply to your actual destination, especially for an island move or for new purchases. Do this before you start packing.

Official guidance: Spanish customs: transfer-of-residence relief

How do you find a school place in Spain?

Contact the education authority for the autonomous community and the schools you are considering. Ask about admission dates, joining part-way through the school year, address evidence, the language of teaching and support for a child arriving from abroad. Spain does not require formal recognition of overseas studies simply to enter primary or compulsory secondary education, although later qualifications can need a different check. Keep school reports and identity records within reach while the move is arranged.

Official guidance: Spanish school admission guidance · Recognition of overseas school qualifications

What should your inventory include?

List furniture and estimated boxes, and point out fragile pieces, new purchases and items that need particular care. Agree who prepares, checks and submits the customs documents, and what evidence you need to supply. Label boxes to match the inventory, and keep passports, residence documents and school records with you rather than in the shipment.

What do we need to know about access?

For an apartment, give the floor, lift dimensions, unloading point and any building booking requirements. At a rural home, mention narrow lanes, gates or a steep approach, and ask the property contact about vehicle restrictions. For an island destination, name the island and town so that onward delivery is part of the route we assess.

How do you compare a proposal with your actual load?

A few boxes and some furniture need a different brief from a full household. Tell us what packing help you want and what is still undecided. Check what the proposal includes for collection, transport, document handling and delivery, along with any access or destination charges. Keep three dates separate: when you leave, when you travel and when someone can receive the belongings.

Moving from Spain or returning to the UK?

Enter both countries and tell us who can hand over the belongings in Spain. The receiving country sets its own residence and import checks, and a UK return also needs the right distinction between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Do not reuse inward-move paperwork without checking the new direction.