Moving to Spain? How to learn Spanish before and after you arrive

Every year, thousands of English speakers swap grey skies for Spain: for work, retirement, study, love or simply a different pace of life. Many arrive with little or no Spanish, and many discover that the language is the key that opens everything else, from sorting paperwork to making real friends.

This guide covers how to start learning Spanish before you move, what level you'll realistically need, and the phrases that will get you through the first weeks.

Why it's worth starting before you go

You can get by in some parts of Spain with English, especially in big cities and on the coast. But "getting by" has limits. Appointments at the town hall, conversations with your landlord, the doctor, your children's school, your neighbours: most of daily life happens in Spanish (or, in some regions, in another local language too).

Even a few months of preparation makes a big difference. Arriving with basic Spanish, around A2, means your first weeks become a chance to practise rather than a struggle to survive.

What level do you need?

There's no single answer, because it depends on what you'll be doing:

Daily life and errands: A2 lets you handle shops, transport and simple appointments, with some patience.
Social life and independence: B1 is where you can follow conversations, explain problems and start to feel at home.
Working in Spanish: many jobs that involve customers or colleagues expect at least B1 to B2; professional and academic roles often ask for B2 or C1. International companies may work in English, but Spanish still helps enormously.
Official procedures: some residence routes and, in particular, applications for Spanish nationality can involve official language and culture exams. Requirements depend on your situation and can change, so check the official government and Instituto Cervantes websites for current information rather than relying on what you read elsewhere.

Spain's other languages

Spain is officially multilingual. Spanish (castellano) is spoken everywhere, but several regions have a co-official language:

Catalan in Catalonia and the Balearic Islands, and Valencian (as Catalan is known there) in the Valencia region
Galician in Galicia
Basque (euskera) in the Basque Country and parts of Navarre

If you're moving to one of these regions, Spanish is still essential and widely used, but learning some of the local language too is appreciated and can matter for schools, public sector jobs and integration. Start with Spanish, then add a few local words; people will notice.

First steps: a realistic plan

Start with survival basics. Greetings, numbers, asking for things, understanding prices and times. These pay off from day one.
Make it daily. Short, regular practice beats long weekend sessions. Even 10 to 15 minutes a day adds up quickly over a few months.
Train your ear. Spanish in Spain is fast. Listen to podcasts, radio or series, starting with content for learners and moving on to real Spanish.
Learn the vocabulary of your new life. Renting, banking, health, schools, utilities. You'll need words like contrato, fianza (deposit), factura (bill) and cita previa (appointment) much sooner than la biblioteca.
Find people to talk to. Language exchanges (intercambios) are popular in Spanish cities, and local neighbourhood activities are a great way to practise.

If you want something structured you can fit into a busy moving schedule, Parlumi's Spanish course runs from A1 to C2 in five-minute lessons, with explanations written for English speakers, and it works offline, which is handy on the plane or before your mobile contract is sorted.

Survival phrases for your first weeks

Paperwork and appointments

Quería pedir cita. I'd like to make an appointment.
¿Qué documentos necesito? What documents do I need?
Vengo a empadronarme. I've come to register on the local census. (Registering at the town hall, the empadronamiento, is one of the first things many new residents do.)
¿Me lo puede explicar más despacio, por favor? Could you explain it more slowly, please?
¿Dónde tengo que firmar? Where do I need to sign?

Housing

Estoy buscando un piso de alquiler. I'm looking for a flat to rent.
¿Están incluidos los gastos? Are bills included?
No funciona la calefacción. The heating isn't working.
¿Cuándo puede venir el técnico? When can the technician come?

Health

Quería pedir cita con el médico. I'd like an appointment with the doctor.
Me duele la cabeza / la espalda. I have a headache / backache.
Soy alérgico/alérgica a... I'm allergic to...
¿Dónde está la farmacia más cercana? Where's the nearest pharmacy?

Everyday life

¿Me puede ayudar? Can you help me?
No hablo mucho español, pero estoy aprendiendo. I don't speak much Spanish, but I'm learning.
¿A qué hora abren? What time do you open?
Encantado/a, soy el nuevo vecino / la nueva vecina. Nice to meet you, I'm the new neighbour.

Settling in

A few things that help newcomers integrate:

Adjust to the schedule. Lunch around 2 p.m. and dinner around 9 p.m. are common. Many small shops close in the afternoon.
Greet people. Saying hola or buenos días when you enter a shop or a lift, and hasta luego when you leave, is normal and appreciated.
Don't be afraid of mistakes. Most Spaniards are warm towards people making an effort with their language, even if they sometimes answer in English to help.

Moving abroad is a big adventure, and learning Spanish is what turns living in Spain into belonging there. Start small, keep going, and celebrate every conversation that would have been impossible a few months earlier.