SERVICES · MADRID
Settling In Madrid: Banking, Insurance, School and Daily Life
Bank, health insurance, school and everything that makes Madrid feel like home.
Once housing and paperwork are underway, what's left is what actually makes Madrid feel like home: the bank where you set up your direct debits, the health insurance that covers the whole family, your child's school, a vet you trust, home insurance. These are decisions you'd make on autopilot back home. Here, each one requires researching a new system from scratch.
Aedara coordinates all of it in parallel, managing each task so you don't spend weeks waiting for one thing to finish before the next can start. We handle multiple fronts at once and keep you updated on the status of each one.
If you want to go deeper on any of these topics before making decisions, our blog has full guides on bank accounts, health insurance, and the Beckham Law for foreigners in Spain.
How it works
01
Needs assessment
We review your situation: whether you already have a NIE, if you're arriving with children, if you have pets, if you need a non-resident account. We establish priorities and a logical order.
02
Parallel coordination
We manage multiple things at once so you don't waste weeks waiting for one thing to finish before the next can start.
03
Support at each step
We accompany you to important appointments or handle communication with providers when your presence isn't needed.
04
Confirmation of each item
Each task closes with a confirmation: contract signed, insurance activated, school place confirmed.
What we manage
01
Bank account opening
Guidance and accompaniment, adapted to whether you're a resident or non-resident.
02
Non-resident bank account
Coordination with specialised banking when your situation requires it.
03
Private health insurance
Comparison of several quotes with a recommendation tailored to your profile.
04
Home insurance
Coverage comparison and a recommendation suited to your property.
05
Car insurance
Comparison and recommendation if you'll be driving in Spain.
06
School search
Selection of schools, visits, and management of the admission process, per child.
07
Nursery search
Selection and admission for children under three.
08
English-speaking doctor search
Selection of a doctor who treats patients in your language and booking of your first appointment.
09
Pet relocation
Veterinary documentation, transport, and paperwork to bring your pet to Spain.
10
Pet registration
Microchip and municipal registration, mandatory for keeping a pet in Madrid.
11
Vet search
Selection of a trusted clinic near your new home.
Who is this for
International families settling in Madrid who need to resolve several things at once: bank account, health insurance, school for the children, vet, home insurance. Also for individuals arriving alone who want to delegate the research and admin to someone they trust, without spending weeks investigating every provider from scratch.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need to be a resident to open a bank account in Spain?
- Not necessarily. Many banks allow non-residents to open accounts, though conditions and requirements vary. Aedara guides you based on your specific situation — whether you already have a NIE, whether you're in the process of getting one, or whether you're arriving as a digital nomad — and accompanies you through the process.
- Which health insurance do you recommend for Americans in Madrid?
- It depends on your profile: whether you're self-employed or employed, whether you have children, whether you want dental coverage, whether you'll be travelling frequently to the US. Aedara compares quotes from several insurers and gives you a recommendation tailored to your situation, not a generic one.
- When should I start looking for a school?
- As early as possible. At international schools with high demand, waiting lists can be months or even years long. Ideally, start the search before you arrive in Madrid or as soon as you know your relocation date. Aedara manages visits and the admissions process so you don't miss places by arriving too late.
- Can I bring my pet from outside the EU?
- Yes, but the process requires advance planning: microchip, rabies vaccination, official vet certificate and, in some cases, specific treatments depending on the country of origin. Aedara coordinates all the paperwork and transport so your pet's arrival goes smoothly.
- How long does it take to fully settle in Madrid?
- The most urgent tasks — bank account, health insurance, school — can be resolved in two to four weeks if worked on in parallel and without unnecessary delays. With Aedara coordinating everything at once, timelines are significantly shorter than handling it alone.
Tell us what you need to sort first, and we'll show you how it fits into your settling-in process, no obligation on your part.
Tell us what you need