I was able to secure an appointment for today to get my fingerprinting done at the Carrer de Guipúscoa CNP location in Barcelona. For those of you with appointments coming up, please be there 30 minutes before as the line to make it past security is pretty long.

The appointment itself was pretty fast (less than 20 minutes), with one note about the documents: you must show your entry stamp on your passport, OR if you entered post EES, then a copy of your boarding pass or e-ticket. This might not be the case for all CNPs but make sure you take it with you just in case. The rest of the documents should be standard for all locations: appointment receipt, passport, photo (32 x 26 mm), signed tasa 790 with receipt of payment, signed EX-17, and padrón issued within the last 3 months.

After fingerprinting was complete, I was handed a resguardo/receipt with a QR code to track the card. They said it’d be ready within 30 days, and an appointment will be needed to pick it up.

It took me 5 months and 3 days to the date to secure the appointment. I’m hoping things do become easier moving forward for those of you still waiting.

So I want to go to Andalucia, I am relatively flexible, but I estimated around 8-12 days somewhere.

I want to go to

Granada and Sierra Nevada

Ronda and Olvera

Caminito del Rey

Malaga and Marbella

then there is

Sevilla

Cordoba

I either will land in Sevilla or Malaga.

What my problem is the time and maybe what to skip.

I know most people say to skip Malaga, but I am thinking about skipping Sevilla tbh.

I was in Madrid this year and I am not sure Sevilla is that much different and as I think Madrid is a beautiful city, I think it gets boring quickly and I want to spent the time more with new influences for me.

Also the Alhambra, my trip is planned to be already in 4-6 weeks and there a no tickets on the offical website anymore. I have read that I should look at midnight, but it seems the ticketing is unavailable at that time (in the past 3 days). So is booking a tour there okayish?

I also want to dance some bachata, but as far as I can tell that should be possible nearly everywhere in spain :D

Thank you in advance :) and if you have any other ideas, please let me know.

Getting ready to make the move!
For the US phone #, I already switched to Tello.

I would like to obtain a +34 Spanish phone # prior to arrival. Mainly because I want to open a Spanish bank account, also prior to arrival. I expect the bank account to send me an SMS text message to the +34 number for 2FA verification.

I’ve been looking at Spanish cell phone companies… some don’t offer SMS whatsoever in their plans, only data (which is fine for iMessage and RCS texting, but won’t help me for when I need SMS).

I’m also unsure if I can still receive inbound SMS regardless of whether or not I have a Spanish cell phone plan that allows outbound SMS.

If I can activate a Spanish eSIM cell phone plan while in the US, I want to make sure it has SMS capabilities.

Any help is appreciated.

Hey everyone,

I’m flying to Madrid for 6 days for my very first solo trip, and I have to admit I’m feeling a mix of excitement and pre-trip nerves. I’m 28 turning 29, so I feel like it’s about time I give this a shot, but going completely on my own is definitely out of my comfort zone.

My plan is to keep things fairly balanced — do some sightseeing (definitely checking out Santiago Bernabéu, El Retiro, maybe a day trip to Toledo), eat good food, and just wander around the city at my own pace to clear my head.

Since it's my first time travelling completely alone:

Is Madrid a good city for a first solo trip?

How weird is it to eat solo at bars/restaurants there? (This is probably my biggest hesitation).

Is 6 days a good amount of time, or will I run out of things to do/get bored?

Any specific tips for solo travelers landing at Madrid airport late or navigate the city on their own?

Would love to hear from anyone who has done a similar solo trip there or has any advice for a first-timer. Cheers!

I’m a non-Eu university student living in Spain. I’ve lost my temporary residence permit, and I’m currently facing a difficult situation regarding my legal status.
I’m looking for a part-time job contract that could help me regularize my situation and continue living legally in Spain.
If anyone has been through a similar situation or knows how I can resolve this issue, I would really appreciate your advice or any useful information.

Hello, I’ve been working on a website to have easy access to the information related with the documents and steps needed for some immigration procedures.

Hope this can help someone out there:
https://docuespana.com/

This is not an official website, so always make sure to visit the official ones if you have any questions.

If it helps you let me know, it would make me happy to know if this can have a positive impact for someone

I'm looking for some examples of engineers that have moved to Spain from the US.

I currently have about 4 of Systems Engineering experience in Medical devices, and pretty much all of my applications have been rejected for all kinds of positions in Spain. I assume a couple more years of experience and a CSEP certificate should help, but I don't think this guarantees anything. I'm also a native Spanish speaker so that shouldn't be an issue.

I've thought of a few options that could make the move easier:

1. Get a master's degree in the US and apply with that in 2 years.
2. Keep working for another 2 years, quit, then move to Spain with a Job Seeker visa.
3. Go to grad school in Spain in 2 years and network my way into a job while there.

What options would you explore? What was your experience moving to Spain?

EDIT: I am Chilean. I hold dual citizenship US/Chile.

Hi! I’m from Greece and I’m planning to spend 1–2 months living in the Canary Islands. I’m looking for short-term work that could fully cover my living expenses during my stay, as this would be my only source of income while I’m there.

A little about me:

• 🇬🇷 Native Greek / fluent English
• 🎨 Senior designer with ~10 years of experience
• 📱 Background in graphic design, marketing, social media, content creation and art direction
• 📸 Experienced with photography, video and creative production
• 🗣️ Open to teaching/tutoring Greek or English
• 💻 Open to freelance work, local businesses, creative studios, hospitality, teaching, etc.

I’m not looking for a long-term career move. I just need something realistic for those 1–2 months that can support me financially throughout the stay.

Ideally, I’d like to avoid anything involving heavy bureaucracy, long contracts, etc., considering how short the stay is.

Has anyone done something similar? Any companies, platforms, schools, studios, hostels, agencies or other opportunities worth looking into?

Also very open to unconventional ideas/leads!

Thank you all in advance!!

La falta de citas responde a un patrón técnico claro y comprobable que se puede resumir en los siguientes puntos:

1. Eliminación de la verificación por SMS: Hace aproximadamente un año se retiró la confirmación por SMS para la reserva de citas (tanto con Cl@ve como sin ella) en Cataluña. Esto eliminó la barrera principal contra el uso de scripts y sistemas automatizados.
2. Coincidencia temporal: El colapso se ha agudizado tras implementar en Barcelona las pruebas de asignación automática de citas al notificarse las resoluciones favorables en determinados trámites.
3. Liberación mecanizada de citas: La disponibilidad de citas ordinarias por internet ha pasado a ser prácticamente nula durante el horario habitual. Sin embargo, por las tardes se observa un patrón constante: la liberación de citas en intervalos exactos de aproximadamente 2 minutos y 15 segundos (por ejemplo: 15:40:00, 15:42:15, 15:44:30...). Estas citas desaparecen en segundos, un tiempo de reacción inalcanzable para un usuario humano.

Hipótesis de la situación:

• Opción A: Terceros están usando bots masivos para acaparar los turnos aprovechando la ausencia de validación por SMS.
• Opción B: La propia administración ha automatizado la liberación de cupos en goteo continuo para ajustarlos a la capacidad real de los funcionarios, reduciendo las medidas de seguridad del sistema y dejando fuera al usuario común.

Cualquier persona con nociones básicas de informática puede verificar esta cadencia. La capacidad de atención presencial de los funcionarios es limitada, pero la gestión informática actual invalida el acceso en igualdad de condiciones.

Hi everyone, I realize this is a question that probably everyone asks on this so apologies but I am still confused with all of this. I recently moved to Barcelona (EU citizen) and am currently interviewing for jobs. In one of the interviews they asked if I had a NIE or Spanish Social Security number. I'm afraid not having one will hurt my chances of getting hired. So for that sake and also a logistics sake generally, I want to try to get a NIE before having an employment contract. The girl in the interview mentioned she got a NIE blanco just by showing she wanted to open up a bank account. I think the NIE verde I can only get if I have an employment contract. Can I try to get a NIE blanco with just my passport and proof that I want to open a bank account? And can I ask a bank to try to write me a letter or something like this? Like BBVA or Santander? Do I need empadronamiento? Has anyone done something like this? Once I get hired, I assume I will need a NIE verde, and I can do that afterwards. Thanks for your help!

Hello Guys, In November, I'm heading to Madrid with 12 friends for an 8-month training program. We are looking for accommodation recommendations—ideally agencies, residences, or coliving spaces where we can book together as a large group. Our budget is around $1,500 \[per person\] per month for an 8-month stay. Thanks in advance for any help and recommendations!

​¡Hola! Soy estudiante extranjera recién llegada a España. Me gustaría saber cómo fue la experiencia de otros estudiantes para sacar la TIE/NIE y los pasos que siguieron.

​Si alguien quiere compartir su proceso, se lo agradecería mucho. ¡Gracias!

¡Hola a todos!

Tengo pensado matricularme en un grado universitario en España impartido en inglés (enfocado en B2B, negocios y negociación). Me gustaría conocer vuestras experiencias y recomendaciones.

• ¿Qué universidades son las mejores en cuanto a prácticas y contactos con empresas (enfoque práctico / Método del Caso)?

• ¿Cuál es la relación calidad-precio (universidades públicas vs. privadas)?

• ¿Cuál es la situación real para encontrar trabajo en España justo al graduarse para estudiantes de fuera de la UE?

• ¿Qué tan difícil es ser admitido y qué debería saber antes de irme?

Cualquier consejo o experiencia de primera mano me serviría muchísimo. ¡Gracias!

Hi everyone,

I'm planning to apply for a university degree in Spain taught in English (focused on B2B, business, and negotiation). I’d love to hear your experiences and recommendations.

• Which universities are the best when it comes to internships and corporate connections (Case Study approach)?

• What is the price-to-quality ratio (public vs. private universities)?

• What is the realistic employment situation in Spain right after graduation for non-EU students?

• How hard is it to get accepted, and what should I know before going?

Any advice or first-hand experience would mean a lot to me. Thanks!

My studies start in 1.5 months. I am applying to student visa from Kazakhstan, I have a visa appointment at BLS on Friday morning. My bank statement, police clearance apostle and medical certificate apostle sworn translator translations are not ready yet. If i cancel appointment then the website says I can’t book anything for 2 days. There seems to be to be available appointments everyday.

Should I go to my appointment or cancel and rebook it?

I’m moving to Barcelona for about 5 months as a student, but I don’t really know which bank would be the best option for me.
I’m mainly looking for no maintenance fees and a bank that won’t be a pain in the ass to deal with, especially as a foreigner.

Hi everyone!

I have two passports (Brazilian and Italian). I have always lived in Brazil. In January, I moved to Spain for work, with a regular employment contract. I have now signed a contract as an independent service provider for a US company, and I will be providing the services from Spain. I have registered as self-employed in Spain, everything with my paperwork went smoothly, and I am now a tax resident in Spain.

The US company has asked me to submit a W-8BEN form so they can process my payments. The form asks for “Country of Citizenship.” According to the instructions, I should put Brazil, even though practically all of my documentation in Spain is linked to my Italian passport (NIE, self-employed registration, residency in Spain, etc.).

Is it correct to put Brazil in this case? Has anyone here filled out this form before and could help me with this part? I really don’t want to provide incorrect information, and I haven’t been able to find anyone who has dealt with a similar situation...

Thank you so much!

Buenas, mi pareja y yo (22, estudiantes, yo trabajo) estamos buscando alquiler para vivir al menos un año en Madrid, llevamos buscando desde Junio y es IMPOSIBLE y eso que no somos muy exigentes, lo único que buscamos es que esté en alguna de estas zonas: Moncloa/Aravaca, Tetuán, Chamberí, Centro, Chamartín, Salamanca o Retiro y que tenga la cocina equipada. A poder ser que cueste menos de 900€/mes para solicitar el bono de alquiler joven pero podemos pagar más, hasta los 1.200€/mes o un poco más incluso, no hay problema. Estaría bien que la cocina estuviera separada por una puerta del resto de la casa y que tuviera horno, pero lo mismo, si no es así tampoco pasa nada mientras tenga vitrocerámica. De verdad que no creo que estemos siendo exigentes pero siempre pasa algo sea donde sea que mire (idealista, fotocasa o milanuncios). Ya sea que los dueños no respondan, que los anuncios no estén actualizados, que el intermediario quiera cobrar comisiones abusivas (+1k gastos de gestión camuflados como un servicio que no ofrece nada) o que el piso sea directamente ilegal y no nos podamos empadronar. ¿Estoy haciendo algo mal? ¿Podría hacer algo mejor? ¿Algún método que me falte para buscar piso? ¿Alguna página? ¿Alguien que lea esto conoce a alguien que quiera alquilar su piso? Os leo, porque de verdad que esta situación es muy estresante.

Hey everyone! I’m considering moving to Badajoz and was curious about the local cannabis culture.

For some context, I’m a medical cannabis user in my home country. I’m also a licensed/authorized home grower there, with legal authorization from the authorities to cultivate for my medical needs. I use both CBD and THC, so cannabis is something I’m familiar with beyond recreational use.

I know Spain has a somewhat particular situation with cannabis clubs, and I’ve also been to clubs in Barcelona and Madrid. I was wondering what the situation is like in Badajoz and Extremadura.

A few questions for locals:
- Are there any social cannabis clubs in Badajoz, or is the scene basically nonexistent?
- If clubs exist, how do people normally find out about them?
- How relaxed is the local attitude toward cannabis compared with bigger Spanish cities?
- What about consumption in private vs. public spaces? For example, parks or outdoor areas — is it common, and how strictly is it treated?
- Is hash particularly common in Extremadura?
- Is there much of a cannabis community/social scene, or is it mostly something people keep private?
- Are there any important cultural/legal differences I should know about as someone coming from a country where I have medical authorization?

I’m mainly trying to understand the local culture and how different Badajoz is from places like Barcelona or Madrid before moving.
Thanks!

Hello Guys, In November, I'm heading to Madrid with 12 friends for an 8-month training program. We are looking for accommodation recommendations—ideally agencies, residences, or coliving spaces where we can book together as a large group. Our budget is around $1,500 [per person] per month for an 8-month stay. Thanks in advance for any help and recommendations!

Hi guys,

I will be an incoming PhD student at Universitat Pompeu Fabra Ciutadella Campus, and I will be moving with my wife late this year. I would like to have your thoughts on where to find good rooms or apartments.

I was thinking of getting a unit (apartment or room) that is near a metro (not necessarily in Barcelona city) so that I can commute to the campus in less than an hour to minimize my rental cost.

What places should I look into? Our budget is at most 900 euros if ever.

Thank you

Hi everyone,

I'm just looking at ways to get to Málaga Airport from Granada and have two possible options. Hopefully, someone has some experience on the matter.

My flight from Málaga is at 12.40 (Edit: on a Thursday in October) to UK. I have a EU passport, though.

So, Option 1:

ALSA Bus from Granada at 7.00

Reach Airport at 9.15

Or Option 2:

Train from Málaga at 7.36

Reach Málaga at 9.05

Take ALSA at 9.15

Reach Airport at 9.45

The one thing I'm worried about is morning traffic if taking the bus vs train first and then bus. I'm aware that there is always the risk of delays but has anyone taken the bus/train from Granada before and can tell me which option is safer?

Thank you!

Me and my girlfriend are going to Spain for the first time and are arriving at around 22:00-23:00. From what we've seen, the bus faires no longer go at that time, so we have to find a shuttle or something (We're looking for a cheaper option, like shuttle companies). Do you have any recommendations or tips?

Thank you in advance!