Moving from the UK to a brand-new country is very exciting. However, it can also be something that you need to carefully plan and consider before you actually make the leap and move.
Different countries and parts of the world have different rules and guidelines that you are going to need to be aware of. Since the UK left the European Union, British citizens also have additional visa and residency requirements to consider when relocating permanently to Spain.
If Bilbao in Spain is on your possible move list, you will be pleased to know that we have put together our guide on what you need to know before you move from the UK to Bilbao.
Key takeaways
Before moving to Bilbao, it is worth making sure you understand:
- British citizens moving to Bilbao for more than 90 days will usually need the correct Spanish visa before relocating.
- Depending on the visa route, applicants may need to show proof of sufficient income or savings and suitable healthcare cover.
- Once living in Bilbao, residents should complete the relevant local registration and residency requirements, including obtaining a TIE where applicable.
- Bilbao is in the Basque Country, where both Spanish and Basque are widely used in public life.
- Bilbao has a milder and wetter climate than many southern Spanish destinations.
- Moving household belongings from the UK to Spain now involves customs documentation, so it is important to prepare an accurate inventory and the required paperwork.
Sorting these practicalities early can make the first few weeks of your move considerably easier.
Securing the right visa
The first step of planning your move is to establish which visa or residence route applies to you. British citizens intending to live in Spain for longer than 90 days will generally need the appropriate visa before moving, with the exact option depending on their circumstances. These can include non-lucrative, work, student and digital nomad visas.
Applications are normally handled through the Spanish consular authorities in the UK, with the relevant consulate depending on where you live. It is important to arrange the correct permission before relocating rather than entering Spain as a visitor and assuming you can simply change your status once you are there.
If you do not plan to work whilst you are living in Spain, then you may need to apply for a non-lucrative residence visa. Applicants must demonstrate that they have sufficient financial means to support themselves without working.
For 2026, the financial requirement for the main applicant is equivalent to 400% of Spain's IPREM measure, currently €28,800 for a full year. Additional funds are required for accompanying family members, so it is important to check the latest figure when preparing your application.
Insurance, healthcare and identification
Before you start your life in Spain you need to make sure that you understand how your healthcare will be covered.
Some visa routes, including the non-lucrative visa, require applicants to arrange suitable health insurance as part of the application process. Other residents may eventually qualify for Spanish state healthcare through employment, social security contributions, an S1 form or another entitlement, so the requirements will depend on your circumstances.
Once you have arrived in Spain, most British citizens moving there will also need to complete the relevant residency formalities and obtain a Foreigner Identity Card, usually known as the TIE. This is an important document that provides evidence of your legal residence in Spain.
Keep copies of your visa, passport, proof of address and other supporting documents together when you move, as you are likely to need them for several different administrative processes during your first few weeks.
Register your address and get set up locally
In order to live in Bilbao, you are going to need to register your permanent address locally. This process is known as empadronamiento and involves joining Bilbao's municipal register, or Padrón Municipal.
Anyone habitually living in Bilbao should register, and doing so can also be important when completing other local procedures, including applying for healthcare and enrolling children in school. You will need evidence showing that you live at the address, such as suitable rental, ownership or occupancy documentation.
Once you are properly registered and eligible for public healthcare, you can look into obtaining the Basque Country's individual health card, known as the TIS. This is used when accessing services provided through Osakidetza, the Basque public health service.
Opening a Spanish bank account can also make everyday life easier. It can be useful for rent, household bills and other regular payments, although you should compare the options available rather than assuming you have to use a traditional high street bank. Your everyday spending may also look quite different once you settle in, so it is worth getting an idea of the cost of living in Spain compared to the UK before setting your relocation budget.
Get ready for the culture change
Away from the legalities and must do, moving to somewhere like Bilbao means that you are going to need to get used to a different culture to what you are used to in the UK.
The first thing, and one of the most obvious, is the change in language. Learning some Spanish will make everyday life considerably easier, particularly when dealing with official appointments, local services and businesses.
However, Bilbao is in the Basque Country, where Basque, or Euskara, is also an official language. You will regularly see signs, place names and public information written in both Spanish and Basque. You do not need to arrive speaking Euskara, but understanding its importance to the region can help you feel more connected to your new home.
Food and social routines can take some adjustment too. Bilbao has a particularly strong food culture, with pintxos bars playing a major part in the city's social life. Meal times can also be later than many people in the UK are accustomed to, so your daily routine may gradually start to change once you settle in. Settling into life in Spain is not all about paperwork, of course, and there are plenty of things to do in Spain once you have time to start exploring beyond Bilbao.
Do not expect southern Spanish weather
The weather is also something that you may not expect. Compared to more southern parts of Spain that are known for hot and dry conditions, Bilbao has a much milder and wetter climate.
Its position close to Spain's northern Atlantic coast means rain is a normal part of life, and the city is considerably greener than the image many people have of Spain before moving there.
Summers can still be pleasantly warm, but if your main reason for relocating is year round heat and sunshine, Bilbao may feel very different to destinations on the Costa del Sol or Spain's Mediterranean coast.
For many people, however, that milder climate is part of the appeal. It can make exploring the surrounding countryside, coastline and mountains much more comfortable throughout the year.
Plan how you will move your belongings to Bilbao
Alongside visas and paperwork, you will also need to decide what you are taking with you and how your belongings will reach Bilbao.
Since the UK is no longer part of the EU, moving household goods into Spain involves customs documentation. Having an accurate inventory and making sure the necessary paperwork is prepared before your belongings leave the UK can help reduce the risk of unnecessary delays.
It is worth thinking about this reasonably early in your planning, particularly if you are moving furniture and the majority of your household belongings rather than arriving with only a few suitcases.
An experienced international removals company can help coordinate collection, export packing, transport and the paperwork associated with moving your household goods into Spain.
Make your move to Bilbao with Pinnacle Removals
As you can see, there are lots of things to think about when moving to Bilbao. Visa applications and local registration need attention, while there are also the practical challenges of moving your belongings hundreds of miles to your new home.
Pinnacle Removals & Storage has extensive experience helping customers relocate internationally, including removals between the UK and Spain. Our team can help you plan the removal, professionally pack your belongings and guide you through the documentation required for your shipment.
Getting the removal organised early gives you one less thing to worry about while you concentrate on preparing for your new life in Bilbao.
Get in touch with Pinnacle Removals & Storage today to discuss your move to Spain and receive a personalised removals quotation.
