Spanish paperwork.
Finally without the panic.
Step-by-step guidance for TIE, empadronamiento, renewal, and regreso — written for students, not bureaucrats.
From your first week in town to your residence renewal, we make every step clear for students landing in Barcelona.
You shouldn't need to learn Spanish bureaucracy on day one. We translate every form, fee, and office into plain English — and walk you through it in order.
Right after you arrive
Register your home address with city hall, then turn your student visa into a Spanish residence ID card. Almost nothing else works until these two are done.
When you need to travel
Flying home for the holidays before your residence card is ready? Get the official permit that lets you re-enter Spain without losing your student status.
Before your residence expires
Renew your student residence so you can keep living and studying in Barcelona for another year.
Meet the 4 processes every student in Barcelona has to handle.
Empadronamiento (Address Registration)
Register your address with Barcelona city hall
First TIE Application (after arrival)
Convert your student visa into a residence card
TIE Renewal (Prórroga de Estudios)
Extend your student residence and get a new card
Autorización de Regreso (Return Authorization)
Travel and return while your TIE is expired or being renewed
Forms, fees, and the offices behind them.
One source of truth. Built by students, for students.
No more Reddit threads or outdated PDFs. Every flow is current, in plain English, and Barcelona-specific.
Heads up — UniMate is an educational guide, not legal advice. Rules change, so always confirm with official government sources before you submit.