For international students in Madrid, or on their way
Madrid's paperwork has a lot of stops. Get your route.
Answer a few quick questions. See which steps apply to you, in the right order, with your deadlines worked out.
Takes about a minute. Free, and no account needed to start.
Example: EU student staying a year
- Check your health coverDone
- Register your address Next stopPadrón appointment with the city
- Get your EU registration certificateWithin three months of arriving
- Open a bank accountAsk for the bank's document list
How it works
Tell us your situation
Your passport country, how long you're staying and when you arrive. Nothing else.
Follow your route
Your next stop is always open, with what to bring and where to book. Tick things off as you go.
Never lose track
See how long is left for each deadline, and add it to your calendar. Save your route with a free account and we'll email you before each one.
Every stop on the line
Get ready
Sort these out first.
Health cover
Which cover you need depends on your passport. Sort it out before you travel.
Student visa and long-term stay
For students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland who will study in Spain for more than 90 days.
Temporary protection for Ukrainians
The EU protection for people who fled the war in Ukraine: who can get it in Madrid, what it gives you, and how to stay after it ends.
Get registered
Make it official in Spain.
Padrón: registering your Madrid address
Everyone living in Madrid must register with the city. Book an appointment and bring your housing documents.
EU citizen registration certificate
For EU, EEA and Swiss students staying more than three months. It's issued on the spot at your appointment.
TIE: your foreigner identity card
For non-EU students staying more than six months. You must request it within one month of entering Spain.
Get set up
Everyday life in Madrid.
Already been through it?
Tell us which steps were hardest for you. It takes about a minute, it's anonymous, and it helps the students who come after you.
Take the student surveyBuilt on official sources, and honest about limits.
Our guides come from the Spanish ministries, the National Police, the City of Madrid and the official state gazette. Every guide lists its sources so you can check them. They were last checked on 3 November 2026.
StudentGo isn't a government service or a law firm, and it can't assess your personal case. Read our terms.