RELOCATION · LATIN AMERICANS
Relocation to Madrid for Latin American families.
NIE, visa, housing, schools and the steps that generate the most questions when arriving from Latin America.
Tell us about your caseMadrid receives thousands of Latin American families every year looking to settle in the city. Venezuela, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico: the profiles vary, but the challenges on arrival are recognisable. Documentation, housing, schools and a bank account are the four pieces that need to fall into place, in the right order.
Aedara has been managing the arrival of Latin American families in Madrid for years. We know the process, the real timelines and where the problems nobody warns you about tend to appear.
First: NIE and documentation
The NIE is the document that unlocks everything else: bank account, rental contract, school enrolment. For non-EU Latin American citizens the process is different from EU citizens. It must be requested by appointment at the police station and the documentation required varies depending on your residency situation.
Visa: what options you have
If you do not hold Spanish or European nationality, you need a visa to stay in Spain for more than ninety days. The most common options are the non-lucrative visa, the digital nomad visa, and for those already in Spain, social or family regularisation. Many Latin American citizens also hold Spanish or European nationality through descent, which changes the process entirely.
Housing: renting and buying
Renting in Madrid as a non-EU citizen is possible but the market is competitive and many landlords ask for additional guarantees. Buying is also possible before having residency. Aedara manages search, negotiation and contract review.
Schools, health insurance and daily life
Enrolling children is one of the first decisions. Madrid has bilingual state and semi-private schools and private international schools. Private health insurance is advisable from day one, especially while your administrative situation is regularised.
Bank account and taxation
Opening a bank account as a non-resident is possible but has requirements. The Beckham Law can be very relevant if you arrive with an employment contract in Spain: the difference between the standard progressive rate and the Beckham flat rate is particularly significant for Latin American citizens.
The full process guide
For a complete overview from before you leave your home country to your first months settled in Madrid:
Have questions about your situation? Tell us.