Getting started
Preparing for a year abroad is an exciting journey, but success lies in thoughtful planning and preparation. From setting clear goals and managing finances to understanding visa requirements and learning Spanish, we guide you through every step to ensure your adventure in Spain is seamless and fulfilling.
When you are at the beginning of your planning, it’s a nice idea to answer some of the bigger questions as to why you want to embark on this adventure, what you really want your year to be about, when you think you can do it and how are you going to make it happen.
If you have an EU passport then you can arrive in Spain and arrange your residency and NIE paperwork when you arrive. If one member of your family has an EU passport then you can sponsor the rest of your family to reside in Spain with you once you arrive. For others, most apply for the Non-Lucrative Long Stay Visa from their home countries. The visa allows you to reside in Spain for a year or more without working there. You must prove that you can financially support yourself.
Learning some basic Spanish before you arrive will certainly help as Spain is not known for high rates of English speaking though the younger generation are more inclined to speak English than anyone else. If you don’t manage to learn any Spanish before you arrive then we recommend signing up for some intensive classes when you arrive. This will allow you to more easily navigate your new Spanish life. We have listed a range of online language resources and Spanish schools in Granada.