Moving to Madrid is exciting. Then you meet Spanish bureaucracy. Forms, queues, appointments that open at midnight and disappear in 10 minutes. You don’t need perfect Spanish for it. You need the right 30 words. Here they are.
Bureaucracy words
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Cita previa | Appointment (you need one for almost everything) |
| Empadronarse / el padrón | To register your address at the town hall |
| El ayuntamiento | The town hall |
| NIE / TIE | Foreigner identification number / card |
| Un trámite | A paperwork procedure |
| Fotocopia | Photocopy (bring them!) |
| Justificante | Proof, receipt |
| Ventanilla | Service window |
| Coger número | To take a ticket in the queue |
Flat-hunting words
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Un piso | A flat |
| Piso compartido | A shared flat |
| El casero / la casera | The landlord / landlady |
| El contrato de alquiler | The rental contract |
| La fianza | The deposit |
| Gastos incluidos | Bills included |
| La comunidad | Building service charges |
| Exterior / interior | Facing the street / facing the inner courtyard |
| Un bajo / un ático | Ground floor / top floor |
Phrases that save your first week
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Quería pedir cita previa. | I’d like to make an appointment. |
| Vengo a empadronarme. | I’m here to register my address. |
| ¿Qué documentos necesito? | What documents do I need? |
| ¿Me lo puede repetir más despacio? | Could you repeat it more slowly? |
| ¿Está incluida la luz y el agua? | Are electricity and water included? |
| ¿Cuánto es la fianza? | How much is the deposit? |
| Perdone, ¿dónde se coge el número? | Excuse me, where do I take a queue ticket? |
Notice: with officials, use usted (the formal “you”): “¿Me lo puede…?” With your new flatmates, tú and vale.
After the paperwork: life in Madrid
Get a public transport pass (the abono transporte), learn how to order coffee and a beer, and start speaking from day one. Expats who wait until their Spanish is “good enough” wait forever. That’s why I run Spanish conversation classes in Madrid for people who understand more than they can say.
New in Madrid?
Book a 30-minute Spanish Speaking Roadmap call ($54) with me. We look at your Spanish and the fastest way to start speaking.
Book my call ($54) →FAQ
What is cita previa in Spain?
A prior appointment. You need one for most paperwork in Spain, from the town hall to foreigner offices.
What is empadronamiento?
Registering your address at the town hall (the padrón). It is needed for many other procedures.
What is a fianza?
The rental deposit, usually one or more months of rent.
Do I need to speak Spanish to live in Madrid?
You can survive without it, but paperwork, landlords and friendships are much easier with basic Spanish.
— Monica Bernabe Perez
$54 · 30 minutes · with Mónica
Want to speak Spanish like this, not just read it?
Book your Spanish Speaking Roadmap call ($54), or add it for $27 when you buy my book. We find what is blocking you and the fastest way to start speaking real Spanish.
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