How to Move to Spain from Germany: The Complete Guide

Why Germans Are Moving to Spain

Germany has been one of the top source countries for migration to Spain for decades. The reasons are straightforward: 300+ days of sunshine versus German grey, a lower cost of living, excellent food, and a pace of life that prioritises living over working. Around 140,000 Germans are officially registered as residents in Spain, though the real number — including those who split their time — is far higher.

As an EU citizen, you have the legal right to live and work in Spain. But the practical process involves more than just packing your bags. German bureaucracy follows you abroad: there's the Abmeldung, the tax treaty, pension implications, health insurance transfers, and the question of what to do with your car. This guide covers every step.

EU Freedom of Movement: Your Right to Move

As a German (or any EU) citizen, you can move to Spain without a visa. You have the right to live, work, and study anywhere in the EU. But there's paperwork on both ends.

Registering in Spain

Within three months of arriving, you must register at the Oficina de Extranjería or a designated police station. You'll receive the Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión — the "green certificate" — which includes your NIE number (your Spanish tax and identification number). Cost: approximately €12.

You'll also need to do the empadronamiento — registration at your local town hall (ayuntamiento). This is separate from the EU registration and is essential for accessing healthcare, enrolling children in school, and almost every administrative process in Spain.

Abmeldung in Germany

When you leave Germany permanently, you must deregister (Abmeldung) at your local Einwohnermeldeamt or Bürgeramt. This is legally required within two weeks of moving out. You can do it in person before you leave or by mail after departure.

The Abmeldung has important consequences:

• Your German ID card (Personalausweis) remains valid but cannot be renewed at a consulate — you'll need a passport instead
• You lose your right to vote in federal elections (Bundestagswahl) after being abroad for 25 years, though you retain it initially and can vote by mail
• Your Rundfunkbeitrag (GEZ) obligation ends
• It triggers tax implications — the Finanzamt will want a final tax return

Important: Do not skip the Abmeldung. Without it, Germany may continue to consider you a tax resident, creating a potential dual-taxation problem.

Tax Treaty: The Doppelbesteuerungsabkommen (DBA)

Germany and Spain have a comprehensive double taxation agreement (Doppelbesteuerungsabkommen, or DBA) that determines which country taxes which income. Understanding this is critical.

Key Principles

• Employment income: Taxed in the country where the work is performed. If you work in Spain, Spain taxes your salary
• Self-employment: Taxed in the country of your fixed establishment (Betriebsstätte). If your business base is in Spain, Spain taxes it
• Rental income from German property: Germany retains the right to tax rental income from property located in Germany, but Spain also taxes your worldwide income — with a credit for German taxes paid
• Pensions: Complex — depends on the type of pension (see pension section below)
• Capital gains: Generally taxed in your country of residence (Spain), except for gains from real estate, which are taxed in the country where the property is located

Becoming a Spanish Tax Resident

You become a Spanish tax resident if you spend more than 183 days per year in Spain, or if your centre of vital interests (family, economic activity) is in Spain. As a Spanish tax resident, you must declare worldwide income to the Agencia Tributaria. This includes German rental income, German pensions, and investment income from German bank accounts.

Tip: File your final German tax return (Einkommensteuererklärung) for the year of departure, declaring income up to your departure date. Consult a Steuerberater experienced in international moves — errors here are expensive.

German Pensions in Spain

Gesetzliche Rente (DRV)

Your German state pension (Deutsche Rentenversicherung) is paid anywhere in the EU without reduction. You simply notify the DRV of your new Spanish address and bank details. The pension continues to be paid in euros, so there's no currency risk.

Under the DBA, German state pensions paid to residents of Spain are taxed in Germany (the source country retains the taxing right for public pensions). Spain also includes them in your worldwide income calculation but grants a credit for German taxes paid, so you don't pay double.

Riester-Rente

This is where it gets painful. If you move abroad permanently, you lose the right to the Riester-Zulagen (subsidies) and tax benefits retroactively. The Zentrale Zulagenstelle für Altersvermögen (ZfA) will reclaim all subsidies and tax advantages. You can avoid this by continuing to pay into the Riester contract and remaining subject to German social insurance — but for most emigrants, the subsidies are lost.

You still keep the capital you contributed yourself, and the contract continues — you can receive payouts at retirement. But the loss of subsidies makes Riester significantly less attractive for emigrants.

Betriebsrente (Occupational Pension)

Company pensions are generally paid to you regardless of where you live in the EU. Tax treatment depends on the DBA — typically, private occupational pensions are taxed in the country of residence (Spain). Notify your former employer or the pension fund (Pensionskasse, Unterstützungskasse, or Direktversicherung provider) of your new address.

Private Altersvorsorge

Private pension plans (Rürup/Basisrente, private Rentenversicherung) continue regardless of residence. Payouts are generally taxed in Spain as your country of residence, though Rürup pensions may be partially taxed in Germany depending on the DBA interpretation. Get professional advice for your specific situation.

Health Insurance: GKV, PKV, and the S1 Form

If You're Employed in Spain

If you take up employment in Spain, you'll be enrolled in the Spanish social security system (Seguridad Social) and have access to the public healthcare system. Your German health insurance (GKV or PKV) ends, as you're no longer subject to German social insurance. No further action needed on the German side — just inform your Krankenkasse.

If You're a Pensioner: The S1 Form

If you receive a German pension and move to Spain, you can access the Spanish public healthcare system using the S1 form (formerly E121). Request the S1 from your German Krankenkasse (for GKV members) or from the DVKA (Deutsche Verbindungsstelle Krankenversicherung — Ausland). The S1 entitles you to full public healthcare in Spain at Germany's expense.

This is a significant advantage: you get Spanish public healthcare while Germany continues to pay. Register the S1 at your local Spanish health centre (centro de salud) to receive your tarjeta sanitaria (health card).

If You're PKV (Privately Insured)

Private health insurance (PKV) is more complex. Most German PKV contracts allow you to maintain coverage while living in the EU, but coverage may be limited. Some PKV providers offer Auslandstarife. Alternatively, you may switch to Spanish private insurance (more affordable than German PKV — typically €80–200/month depending on age).

If you're moving permanently, carefully compare options: maintaining German PKV, switching to Spanish private insurance, or — if eligible through employment — entering the Spanish public system.

EHIC / European Health Insurance Card

Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC, issued by your German Krankenkasse) covers temporary stays and emergencies in other EU countries. It is not a substitute for proper health coverage as a resident. Once you're a resident in Spain, you need either S1-based public coverage or private insurance.

German Communities in Spain

Spain has well-established German communities, particularly in these regions:

Mallorca

Often jokingly called Germany's 17th Bundesland. Mallorca has the largest German community in Spain — tens of thousands of residents. German is widely spoken in areas like Paguera, Santa Ponça, and parts of Palma. You'll find German bakeries, supermarkets stocking German products, German-language media (Mallorca Zeitung, Mallorca Magazin), and a complete German-language infrastructure. Multiple Deutsche Schulen are available.

Costa Blanca (Alicante Province)

The coast from Dénia to Torrevieja has a significant German population, particularly around Jávea, Altea, Alfaz del Pi, and La Nucia. These towns have German doctors, German-speaking estate agents, and regular Stammtisch events.

Costa del Sol (Málaga Province)

Marbella, Fuengirola, and the area around Málaga city have large German communities. The Deutsche Schule Málaga is one of the most established in Spain. Málaga's growing tech scene also attracts younger German professionals.

Canary Islands

Tenerife and Gran Canaria have substantial German populations, attracted by the year-round warm climate. German infrastructure is well developed, particularly in the south of Tenerife and in Maspalomas/Playa del Inglés on Gran Canaria.

Deutsche Schule Options

Spain has several excellent German schools (Deutsche Auslandsschulen), accredited by the German government and offering the full German curriculum through to the Abitur:

• Deutsche Schule Barcelona — one of the oldest and most prestigious German schools abroad
• Deutsche Schule Madrid — large school with excellent facilities
• Deutsche Schule Málaga — serves the Costa del Sol region
• Deutsche Schule Valencia — growing school in a popular expat city
• Deutsche Schule Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
• Deutsche Schule Tenerife
• Deutsche Schule San Sebastián
• Eurocampus / Deutsche Schule Mallorca

Fees typically range from €400–800 per month. These schools are partially funded by the German government. They follow the German curriculum but also include Spanish language and culture. Graduates receive both the Abitur and the Spanish Título de Bachiller, keeping university options open in both countries.

Flights: Direct Connections from Germany

One of the practical advantages of Spain for German expats is the exceptional flight connectivity. Direct flights connect Spain to virtually every major German airport:

• Frankfurt (FRA): Direct to Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga, Palma, Alicante, Valencia, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura
• Munich (MUC): Direct to Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga, Palma, Alicante, Valencia, Ibiza, Tenerife
• Düsseldorf (DUS): Direct to Palma, Málaga, Alicante, Barcelona, Madrid, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Tenerife
• Hamburg (HAM): Direct to Palma, Málaga, Barcelona, Alicante, Fuerteventura, Tenerife
• Berlin (BER): Direct to Palma, Barcelona, Madrid, Málaga, Alicante, Tenerife, Gran Canaria
• Stuttgart (STR): Direct to Palma, Málaga, Barcelona, Alicante
• Cologne/Bonn (CGN): Direct to Palma, Málaga, Alicante, Barcelona, Fuerteventura
• Hannover (HAJ): Direct to Palma, Málaga, Alicante, Fuerteventura

Flight times range from 2.5 hours (Frankfurt–Barcelona) to 4.5 hours (Hamburg–Tenerife). Low-cost carriers like Ryanair, Eurowings, and Vueling offer fares from €30–100 one way when booked in advance. This makes regular visits home — or visits from family — easy and affordable.

Cost of Living: Germany vs Spain

Spain is significantly cheaper than Germany in most categories. Here's a realistic comparison:

Key exception: Madrid and Barcelona are approaching or matching German city prices for rent. The biggest savings are in smaller cities and coastal areas — Alicante, Málaga (outside the centre), Valencia, and the islands. Salaries in Spain are also lower, so the cost advantage primarily benefits those with German income (remote workers, pensioners, freelancers with German clients).

Banking: Keep Your German Girokonto?

The short answer: yes, at least initially. A German bank account remains useful for:

• Receiving pension payments
• Managing German rental income or ongoing financial obligations
• As a backup account
• For purchases during visits to Germany

However, many traditional German banks (Sparkasse, Volksbank) may close your account or restrict services once you're no longer a German resident. Online banks like DKB, ING, or N26 are generally more flexible with foreign addresses.

Spanish bank account: You'll need one. Open a cuenta corriente at a Spanish bank (Sabadell, CaixaBank, BBVA, Santander). You'll need your NIE, passport, and proof of address. SEPA transfers between German and Spanish accounts are free within the EU and typically arrive within one business day.

Tip: Wise (formerly TransferWise) or Revolut can bridge the gap during the transition period and are useful for any non-euro currency needs.

Bringing Your Car: TÜV, Re-Registration, and ITV

Bringing your German car to Spain is possible but involves significant bureaucracy and cost. Here's the process:

Step 1: Temporary Use (Up to 6 Months)

As an EU citizen, you can drive your German-registered car in Spain for up to 6 months after establishing residence. After that, you must either re-register it in Spain or export it back to Germany.

Step 2: Re-Registration (Matriculación)

To register your car in Spain, you need:

• Your German vehicle registration (Fahrzeugschein/Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I and II)
• Valid TÜV/HU certificate (the Spanish authorities want to see it's been recently inspected)
• Proof that the car meets Spanish technical standards — a homologación or individual technical inspection (ITV) at a Spanish testing station
• Your NIE and empadronamiento
• Spanish car insurance (seguro de coche)
• Payment of the matriculation tax (Impuesto de Matriculación) — typically 0% to 14.75% of the car's value depending on CO2 emissions. Many used cars qualify for a reduced rate or exemption
• Municipal vehicle tax (IVTM) — paid annually, €60–200 depending on engine size and municipality

Step 3: Spanish ITV

The ITV (Inspección Técnica de Vehículos) is Spain's equivalent of the TÜV. Once registered, your car follows Spanish ITV schedules: new cars are exempt for 4 years, then every 2 years until 10 years old, then annually. The ITV costs €30–50 and is generally considered less strict than the TÜV.

Should You Bring Your Car?

Consider the total cost: re-registration fees (€500–1,500 including all taxes and paperwork), the time investment (expect 2–4 weeks of dealing with traffic authorities), and whether the car is suitable for Spain (diesel restrictions in some city centres, different parking dimensions). For many people, selling the car in Germany and buying one in Spain is simpler and sometimes cheaper.

Moving Checklist: Germany to Spain

3–6 Months Before

• Research your destination — visit for an extended stay if possible
• Understand tax implications — consult a Steuerberater with international experience
• Research health insurance options (S1, Spanish private, or employer-based)
• Research Deutsche Schule or local schools for children
• Begin learning Spanish (even basic A1 makes the transition much easier)
• Get quotes from international moving companies (Umzugsunternehmen)
• Sort out your Riester situation with your provider

1–3 Months Before

• Terminate or modify German contracts: apartment lease (Kündigungsfrist — typically 3 months), utilities, internet, phone, gym, subscriptions
• Inform your Krankenkasse of the planned move
• Request S1 form if applicable (as a pensioner)
• Notify DRV of address change if receiving pension
• Arrange mail forwarding (Nachsendeauftrag) through Deutsche Post
• Check if your German bank will keep your account open after the move
• Get copies of important German documents: birth certificates, marriage certificates, school records, medical records — and get apostilles where needed
• Decide what to do with your car

At Departure

• Complete Abmeldung at the Bürgeramt
• File Abmeldung for your car if not taking it (Kfz-Abmeldung)
• Cancel Rundfunkbeitrag (GEZ)
• Final meter readings for utilities
• Inform your Finanzamt of your departure

Upon Arrival in Spain

• Register on the padrón (empadronamiento) at the town hall
• Apply for the EU registration certificate (certificado de registro) and NIE
• Open a Spanish bank account
• Register with the local health centre (centro de salud) — present S1 if applicable
• Apply for a digital certificate (certificado digital) — essential for online government services
• Enrol children in school
• If bringing a car: begin the re-registration process within 6 months
• Register with the Spanish tax authority if you'll be a tax resident

Moving from Germany to Spain is one of the easier international moves — no visa required, same currency, excellent infrastructure, and a large German community to help you settle in. The bureaucracy on both sides is real, but manageable with preparation. The sunshine is worth it.

Frequently Asked Questions

EU Freedom of Movement: Your Right to Move?

As a German (or any EU) citizen, you can move to Spain without a visa. You have the right to live, work, and study anywhere in the EU. But there's paperwork on both ends. Registering in Spain

Within three months of arriving, you must register at the Oficina de Extranjería or a designated police station. You'll receive the Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión — the "green certificate" — which includes your NIE number (your Spanish tax and identification number). Cost: approximately €12.

German Pensions in Spain?

Gesetzliche Rente (DRV)

Your German state pension (Deutsche Rentenversicherung) is paid anywhere in the EU without reduction. You simply notify the DRV of your new Spanish address and bank details. The pension continues to be paid in euros, so there's no currency risk. Under the DBA, German state pensions paid to residents of Spain are taxed in Germany (the source country retains the taxing right for public pensions). Spain also includes them in your worldwide income calculation but grants a credit for German taxes paid, so you don't pay double.

German Communities in Spain?

Spain has well-established German communities, particularly in these regions: Mallorca Often jokingly called Germany's 17th Bundesland. Mallorca has the largest German community in Spain — tens of thousands of residents. German is widely spoken in areas like Paguera, Santa Ponça, and parts of Palma. You'll find German bakeries, supermarkets stocking German products, German-language media (Mallorca Zeitung, Mallorca Magazin), and a complete German-language infrastructure. Multiple Deutsche Schulen are available.

Flights: Direct Connections from Germany?

One of the practical advantages of Spain for German expats is the exceptional flight connectivity. Direct flights connect Spain to virtually every major German airport: Frankfurt (FRA): Direct to Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga, Palma, Alicante, Valencia, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura Munich (MUC): Direct to Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga, Palma, Alicante, Valencia, Ibiza, Tenerife Düsseldorf (DUS): Direct to Palma, Málaga, Alicante, Barcelona, Madrid, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Tenerife Hamburg (HAM): Direct to Palma, Málaga, Barcelona, Alicante, Fuerteventura, Tenerife Berlin (BER): Direct to Palma, Barcelona, Madrid, Málaga, Alicante, Tenerife, Gran Canaria Stuttgart (STR): Direct to Palma, Málaga, Barcelona, Alicante Cologne/Bonn (CGN): Direct to Palma, Málaga, Alicante, Barcelona, Fuerteventura Hannover (HAJ): Direct to Palma, Málaga, Alicante, Fuerteventura Flight times range from 2.5 hours (Frankfurt–Barcelona) to 4.5 hours (Hamburg–Tenerife). Low-cost carriers like Ryanair, Eurowings, and Vueling offer fares from €30–100 one way when booked in advance. This makes regular visits home — or visits from family —...

Banking: Keep Your German Girokonto?

The short answer: yes, at least initially. A German bank account remains useful for: Receiving pension payments Managing German rental income or ongoing financial obligations As a backup account For purchases during visits to Germany

However, many traditional German banks (Sparkasse, Volksbank) may close your account or restrict services once you're no longer a German resident. Online banks like DKB, ING, or N26 are generally more flexible with foreign addresses.