The social security number is personal and unique. This is the identification number for everything related to Social Security. Registering with social security allows access to the public health system, allows processing the health card at the health center closest to home and access to medical care free of charge.

When arriving to Spain with the intention of staying in the country as a resident, the first things you need to do are processing your NIE number and registering at the town hall.

NIE is the foreigner identity number. This means that it is the number with which the person is going to be identified (as if it was an ID), it is unique and personal. All the procedures that you need to carry out in Spain will be done with this number.

The process of renting an apartment in Spain can be a bit different from what expats may be used to in their home countries. However, with some knowledge and preparation, the process can be relatively straightforward.

In Spain it is possible to access both public and private health.