Living in Madrid as an Expat: Areas and First Paperwork Steps
A fair overview of popular Madrid neighbourhoods for newcomers, followed by the first paperwork steps in a sensible order, from NIE and padrón to your health card.
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Guides
Step-by-step guides to the first procedures in Madrid, checked against official sources.
Empadronamiento in Madrid: How to Register on the Padrón
A step-by-step guide to empadronamiento in Madrid city: online or in person at Línea Madrid, the documents you need, registering children, certificates and renewal for non-EU foreigners.
TIE Appointment in Madrid: How to Book Your Fingerprints
A step-by-step guide to booking your TIE (toma de huellas) appointment in Madrid: deadline, form EX-17, fee 790-012, documents and what to do when no slots appear.
How to Get Your NIE in Madrid in 2026: Complete Guide
A practical guide to getting your NIE in Madrid in 2026: what it is, how it differs from the TIE and the EU certificate, the EX-15 and 790 fee, appointments and applying from abroad.
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