If you’re moving to Madrid through a language assistant program like NALCAP, UCETAM, BEDA, or teaching at an English language school in Madrid, congratulations! You’re about to embark on an exciting adventure. But before you get lost in the charm of Madrid’s plazas and tapas bars, there’s the important reality of finding a place to live, managing paperwork, and settling into your new home.
Moving abroad can be overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time navigating a foreign city’s housing market and bureaucratic processes. That’s where Move to Madrid comes in. We specialize in helping language assistants and teachers just like you get set up, so you can focus on enjoying your year in Spain.
This guest post was written by Eliana Eudes from Move to Madrid.
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Finding Housing in Madrid: What to Expect as a Language Assistant
Madrid is a vibrant, diverse city with plenty of accommodation options, but it’s not always easy to find the right fit, especially on a teacher’s budget and timeline.
Why You Should Start Early
Every September, over 12,000 newcomers arrive in Madrid — a mix of students, teaching assistants, and professionals who are all looking for housing at the same time. This high demand means apartments and rooms get taken quickly, prices rise, and scams become more common.
To avoid unnecessary stress, it’s essential to start your search in advance. With support from locals who know the system and speak the language, the entire process becomes faster, safer, and more efficient. Move to Madrid offers exactly that kind of support, guiding you from the search to signing the lease.
Why Speaking Spanish Matters When Finding a Flat
Most landlords and agencies conduct business primarily in Spanish. Speaking Spanish is essential for reading contracts, asking questions, and avoiding miscommunications. Without it, important details can get lost, and that can cost you.
Having a bilingual support team on your side gives you a major advantage.
Time Zones and Office Hours
If you’re coordinating your housing search from abroad, time zone differences (like 6 hours between the US East Coast and Madrid) and Spanish office hours (typically 10:00 AM–2:00 PM and 17:00 PM–20h) can make it hard to stay in touch. Trying to schedule viewings, get responses from landlords, and understand contracts while also packing and organizing a move can be overwhelming.
Move to Madrid helps manage all of this for you, keeping communication on track and ensuring no details fall through the cracks.
Accommodation Options for ESL Teachers in Spain
- Individual Rooms in Shared Flats: Popular among language assistants, these offer affordability, social connection, and a flexible setup. This is a good opportunity to live with locals, other international students or workers, or other language assistants.
- Whole Flat with a Group: Perfect for friends or fellow assistants arriving together. Move to Madrid helps coordinate the entire process and supports services like internet connection setup.
- Private Flats: Ideal for those wanting independence and privacy. This option involves more paperwork and responsibility, but we handle the search and logistics to make it easy.
Settling In: Paperwork, Bank Accounts, and More
Once you’ve got a roof over your head, the next step is managing your official documents and services. Spain’s bureaucracy can be complex, but Move to Madrid walks you through each step.
The TIE Card (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero)
If you’re staying longer than six months, you need a TIE card, a foreign identity card proving your legal residence in Spain. While most assistants arrive with an initial visa in their passports, the physical card must be obtained after arrival.
Move to Madrid assists with:
- Booking appointments
- Fingerprinting process
- Submitting required paperwork
Our legal partners ensure everything is handled correctly, saving you time and reducing stress.
Other Essential Services Move to Madrid Supports
- Empadronamiento (Town Hall Registration): Required for many other formalities.
- Opening a Bank Account: Essential for receiving payments and paying rent.
- Internet Setup: Especially helpful for those renting whole flats — we take care of the installation and contracts so you’re online right away.
Additional Services Available on Request
If you need support beyond the basics, we offer customized add-on services. Just let us know what you need, and we’ll send a personalized quote.
These include:
- Madrid Transportation Card in Advance: Start using public transport as soon as you land.
- Health Card Registration Assistance: We help you navigate the process of joining the public health system once you’re here.
- TIE & Fingerprinting Appointments: Full guidance and in-person support from our legal partners.
Ongoing Legal Support for Renewals or New Visas
If you plan to extend your stay in Spain or switch to a new type of visa after your first year, let us know in advance. We work with experienced lawyers who can help you apply for new residence permits or prepare your long-term stay. Quotes are provided based on your situation and visa type.
How Move to Madrid Makes Your Transition Easier
Ready to move to Madrid? We offer:
- Bilingual Accommodation Search tailored to your needs
- Contract Review and Explanation in plain English
- In-Person Support for contract signing, bank setup, and more
- Legal Assistance for TIE, visa extensions, and other paperwork
- Personalized Service whether you’re moving solo or as a group
To get started, send Jamie an email at jamie@eslteacher365.com with the subject line “Move to Madrid” and she will get you into contact with a Move to Madrid employee.
Final Tips for Language Assistants Moving to Madrid
- Plan Ahead: The earlier you start, the more options you’ll have.
- Don’t Go It Alone: Getting local help can save you time, money, and stress.
- Stay Flexible: Housing goes fast — have a few options and neighborhoods in mind.
- Organize Documents: Keep copies of everything like contracts, IDs, proof of income, etc.
- Take Time to Enjoy the City: Once settled, explore, meet people, and take advantage of everything Madrid has to offer.
If you’re joining NALCAP, UCETAM, BEDA, or working in an English language school in Madrid and want help with housing, paperwork, or legal services, Move to Madrid is here to help!
This guest post was written by Eliana Eudes from Move to Madrid.
