First Weeks
At the UOC, we work to make your professional onboarding as smooth as possible. That is why we take care of processing your Social Security registration once you complete the TA1 form, ensuring everything is ready for your first day. In addition, we will assign you a contact person to guide you through your first steps within the university community.
We do not just manage paperwork: we are here to support you. From the International Welcome and Mobility Office, we will assist you with your residence authorization and local procedures, and provide you with practical tips about Barcelona and its services. We want to be your close point of contact so that you feel fully comfortable and supported at every stage of this new adventure, both inside and outside the university.
Initial procedures outside the UOC
We recommend getting a local phone number and opening a Spanish bank account as soon as possible. Having a local account makes it easier to set up direct debits for utilities (electricity, internet), access national benefits, and use Bizum (the most widespread instant payment system in Spain).
You can explore options that allow for quick opening tailored to international profiles, or open one once you obtain your NIE (Foreigner Identification Number). Remember to always check the maintenance conditions to avoid unexpected fees.
Once you have a fixed address for your stay in Barcelona, you must register your residency (empadronamiento) at that address. This step is essential to access the Catalan public healthcare system (CatSalut). To register, you will need the original rental contract (with a minimum duration of 3 months) or a signed authorization from the property owner and a utility bill (gas, water, electricity).
Information of interest: Ideas and suggestions
Accommodation
Barcelona offers a wide variety of accommodation options tailored to your needs: from university residences to rooms in shared apartments or homestays. We collaborate closely with the Barcelona Centre Universitari (BCU), where you can resolve any doubts and use their specialized search system, BCU Housing. Additionally, there are other portals and platforms that we will explore together as soon as we contact you to coordinate your arrival.
Our main recommendation is that you book temporary accommodation for your first few weeks. This will allow you to settle in calmly and personally explore the different areas of the city and the housing options available. For your safety, it is very important that you always verify the conditions and legitimacy of the advertiser before making any payment. Avoid making bank transfers for bookings without having visited the property first or without the backing of a verified platform.
Remember that once you have a fixed address for your stay in Barcelona, you must register your residency (empadronamiento) at that address. As mentioned before, this step is essential to access the Catalan public healthcare system (CatSalut). To register, you will need the original rental contract (with a minimum duration of 3 months) or a signed authorization from the property owner and a utility bill (gas, water, electricity).
Renewal of the residency registration (padrón): If you are a member of the non-EU international staff without long-term residency, remember that you must renew your registration in the municipal register every two years. Otherwise, the city council could automatically deregister you, which would affect your access to public services.
Guides and information of interest:
Legal procedures required once in Barcelona
As explained below, deadlines and procedures vary depending on your origin. If you are a non-EU international researcher, you have a period of one month to complete the fingerprinting process and apply for your Foreigner Identity Card (TIE). On the other hand, if you hold European Union citizenship, you have three months to formalize your registration in Spain. At the UOC, we will actively support you every step of the way to ensure you complete these procedures successfully.
| European Union (EU), EEA, and Swiss citizens | Non-EU international researchers |
European Union (EU), EEA, and Swiss citizens
Processing of the Registration Certificate for EU Citizens
Upon arrival, your provisional official document will be your passport or your country's national ID. However, to reside and work long-term, you must obtain the Registration Certificate for EU Citizens.
- Deadline: You must complete this procedure within the first 3 months following your arrival in Spain.
- Procedure: It is necessary to book an appointment with the police to obtain this certificate, which will include your permanent NIE number.
- Appointment management: You will need to manage your appointment individually through the Electronic Office of the police.
Although this is a strictly personal procedure, the UOC International Mobility Office will closely monitor your case to advise you when requesting the appointment and resolve any queries that may arise during the process.
Non-EU international researchers (outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland)
Fingerprinting and processing of the Foreigner Identity Card (TIE)
If your stay in Spain is going to be longer than 6 months, it is mandatory to obtain the physical card (TIE) once you arrive in Barcelona.
- Deadline: The procedure must be started within the first month of your entry into Spain (or from the start date of your authorization). To complete this step, it is essential to have your passport stamped at the airport of entry or to request an entry declaration with the police within the first 72 hours if you access through another country in the Schengen area.
- Appointment management: To facilitate your onboarding, the UOC will take care of managing your appointment for fingerprinting at the police station.
- In-person requirement: Remember that this procedure is strictly personal, as it requires your physical identification and the taking of your fingerprints.