Istanbul at night: Galata Tower and the lights along the water
Guide Turkey → Spain · moving · checked 1 Nov 2026

Moving from Turkey to Spain

A plain checklist: the visa routes, what to sort before you go, and your first weeks in Spain.

Photo: Pexels
First: can you move?

You need a visa to live in Spain

Turkey is not in the EU, so living in Spain needs a residence visa from a Spanish consulate. Within 1 month of arriving you apply for your foreigner's ID card (TIE). Short visits need a Schengen visa.

Job
WorkA work and residence visa with the employer's permit.
Uni
StudyA student visa to study in Spain.
Fam
FamilyJoining a spouse or family in Spain.

Which route fits you: Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its consulates' visa pages. We don't give visa advice.

Before you go

Your checklist in Turkey

  1. Your residence visa approved and a valid passport.
  2. Documents in one folder: birth and marriage certificates, diplomas; apostilles and sworn translations.
  3. Money for the start: a deposit (1 month's rent by law; an extra guarantee of at most 2 months' rent may be asked), the first rent and a few weeks of living costs.
  4. Spanish: it helps a lot every day and with officials.
  5. Set up your home TV before you go, so it works on day one (how to watch Turkish TV in Spain).
A cosy living room in the evening with a TV and warm shelf lights
Day one in Spain

Home TV, ready when you land

The first weeks abroad are the hardest. The news from home, your series and the kids' cartoons in Turkish make the new flat feel like home faster.

How to watch Turkish TV in Spain →
Advertisement: Turkish channels live with VOLTIX →
Photo: Pexels
Your first weeks

Your checklist in Spain

  1. Foreigner's ID card (TIE): apply to the police within 1 month of arriving; your NIE number is on the card.
  2. Town hall registration (empadronamiento): register your address with the town hall.
  3. Social security number: needed to work.
  4. Bank account: with your passport and NIE.
  5. TV fee: Spain has none.
  6. Driving: check with the DGT how long your Turkish licence is valid and the exchange rules.
Quick answers

Questions people ask

Do I need a visa to live in Spain?

Yes: a residence visa from a Spanish consulate. Within 1 month of arriving you apply for the TIE card.

Do I need a visa to visit Spain?

Yes. Turkish citizens need a Schengen visa for short visits.

What is a TIE?

Your foreigner's ID card in Spain; your NIE number is on it.

How big is a rent deposit in Spain?

1 month's rent by law for a home; the landlord may ask for an extra guarantee of at most 2 months' rent.

Can I watch Turkish TV in Spain?

Yes. Our Turkish TV in Spain guide shows every option.

More for Turkish people in Spain

Guides for you

Turkish TV in SpainThe Turkish channels live, and how the official options compare.The Turkish community in SpainHow many, where people live, mosques, Turkish lessons and where people meet online.Moving to SpainThe visa routes, before you go and your first weeks.
Sources