TL;DR
TL;DR — Land in Spain with paperwork sorted, a bank account waiting, accommodation locked, and a mental picture of your first two weeks. Preparation is not overkill — it's the difference between a smooth first month and a chaotic one.
The 10 things to do before you fly
1. Sign and file your Convenio (or Learning Agreement)
Nothing else works without it. The convenio is the tripartite agreement between you, your university, and the host company. See our Convenio guide for the full workflow.
2. Sort insurance
EU students: European Health Insurance Card + a private top-up. Non-EU: private policy covering €30,000+ hospitalisation. Our health insurance for students guide covers the specifics.
3. Open a Spanish (or EU-friendly) bank account
Wise, Revolut and N26 work day one. A local BBVA / CaixaBank account helps with rental deposits and utility direct debits later — sort it in month one.
4. Book verified accommodation for the first 30 days
Never wire a rental deposit before viewing. Book a well-reviewed Airbnb or student residence for the first month, then find a long-term flat once you're on the ground.
5. Start your NIE / TIE paperwork
Non-EU interns must apply for the TIE within 30 days of arrival. Bring extra passport photos and originals of everything. Our NIE / TIE / empadronamiento guide walks through it.
6. Get a Spanish SIM before you need one
Vodafone, Orange, and Digi Mobil all sell prepaid SIMs at the airport. €10 buys 10–20 GB.
7. Download the two apps you'll actually use
- Cabify or Bolt for taxis (Uber is patchy in smaller cities)
- Glovo for late-night food and pharmacy runs
8. Print originals of every document
Passport, visa, insurance, letter of acceptance, convenio, bank statements. Spanish administration still asks for paper.
9. Refresh your Spanish to at least A2
Even in English-speaking offices, life outside the office runs in Spanish. Duolingo + one italki tutor for 4 weeks before flying is enough to survive.
10. Write a "first two weeks" plan
Day 1: unpack. Day 2: buy a SIM, groceries. Day 3: walk your commute. Day 4: bank account. Day 5: first day of work. Weeks 1–2: register empadronamiento, meet neighbours, find a gym.
Pre-arrival packing list
| Category | Must-have |
|---|---|
| Documents | Passport, visa, insurance, convenio, letter of acceptance, extra passport photos |
| Money | Two debit cards from different banks, ~€300 cash |
| Tech | Laptop, EU plug adapter, unlocked phone |
| Clothes | Two office layers, one dress-up outfit, sunscreen |
| Health | Prescriptions with a translated doctor's note |
Two weeks before departure — final checklist
- Convenio signed by all three parties
- Insurance active on arrival date
- First 30 days of accommodation booked
- Airport transfer sorted
- Emergency contacts saved offline
- Digital and paper copies of every document
Key takeaways
- Paperwork first, everything else second.
- Don't pay long-term rent without viewing.
- Bring cash — Spain has more card-friendly cafés than five years ago but still surprises you.
- Plan your first two weeks in detail; freestyle from week three.
FAQ
Can I fly in on my start date? Please don't. Give yourself at least 3–5 days of buffer for jet lag, paperwork and orientation.
What if my convenio isn't signed yet? Delay your flight. Working without a signed convenio puts your host company at risk and can invalidate your insurance.
How much cash should I bring? €300–€500. Enough for the first weeks of restaurants, transport top-ups, and any deposit not paid by card.
Cite this guide
Referencing this page in an article, thesis, or AI answer? Please use:
Spain Internship. "10 Things to Do Before You Start Your Internship in Spain." 2026. https://spain-internship.com/blog/10-tips-ready-for-internship-spain
