Buy at the airport or any phone shop. Yuptel has great plans for Indian expats — bilingual support, no contract. You need a working number for every registration step that follows.

If you're staying with someone short-term, get their address in writing. You'll need a Padrón (official address registration) address later. Make sure the landlord is willing to register you.

N26, Revolut, or Wise work immediately with just your passport. For a Spanish bank account (CaixaBank, Sabadell), you'll need your NIE — so use digital banks first.

10 trips for around €11.35. Buy at any metro station. Saves you from paying €2.40 per trip. The L1, L2, L3, L4, L5 lines cover most of the city.

Raval and El Born have Pakistani and Indian spice shops. Look near Carrer del Carme and Carrer de la Cera. Your first week needs familiar food — don't underestimate it.

The Padrón is your official registration at your Barcelona address. Go to your local Ajuntament (city hall office). You need: passport + rental contract or a letter from the property owner. Book at ajuntament.barcelona.cat — walk-ins are rarely accepted.

The Número de Identidad de Extranjero is your Spanish tax and identity number. Without it, you can't open a bank account, sign a lease, or start work legally. Book at the Oficina de Extranjería. Bring 2 passport photos, the EX-15 form, and proof of reason for your application.

Once you have your Padrón, go to your local CAP (Centre d'Atenció Primària) with your passport and Padrón certificate. You'll be assigned a doctor and a TSI health card. Find your nearest CAP at catsalut.gencat.cat — free for all registered residents.

Physical and digital. Keep copies of: passport, visa, rental contract, Padrón, NIE certificate, insurance policy. Use Google Drive or WhatsApp saved messages as a backup. Photo every document on your phone the day you receive it.

Now that you have your NIE, you can open a real Spanish account. CaixaBank and BBVA are most common in the Indian expat community. Needed for salary, rent, and direct debits. Bring your NIE, passport, Padrón certificate, and proof of income or employment.

You don't need to be fluent. But 20 key phrases open every door — numbers, greetings, asking for help, understanding transport announcements. Duolingo plus YouTube is enough for Week 3. Barcelona also speaks Catalan — "Gràcies" (thank you) goes a long way.

Know what your visa allows. EU Blue Card holders have broad rights. Work permit holders are tied to their employer. If self-employed (autónomo), you must register separately with RETA. Know before you act — working without proper papers means fines and potential visa issues.

The Indian expat community in Barcelona is real, active, and genuinely helpful. Our WhatsApp channel has 5,000+ people who have been exactly where you are right now — community knowledge saves you weeks of Google time.

Now you know the city better. Look at Gràcia, Sant Martí, or Nou Barris for budget-friendly flats. Use Idealista or Habitaclia. Make sure the landlord issues a proper contract for your Padrón — ask the community, many landlords are trusted and known within the Indian expat network.

If you're on a long-stay visa, your TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) biometric card needs to be applied for within 30 days of arrival. Barcelona's system now assigns automatic appointments — track yours online. Read our full TIE guide on Catalunyaar for every step.

Find your 5-minute walk radius: the 24h supermarket, the nearest farmàcia, your local park, the cheapest café. Barcelona rewards people who walk. Most neighbourhoods have a mercat (local market) — cheaper than supermarkets and fresher. Knowing your barrio makes you feel at home faster than anything else.

Sit with a chai. Open your document folder. What's done? What's pending? What do you still need to figure out? This habit of checking in with yourself every month will carry you through Year 1 — Month 2 onwards is covered in Post #2.