Your First 7 Days in Valencia: Arrival Checklist for International Students

The first week in a new country sets the tone for your entire stay. In Valencia, this week is about getting your essential administrative, financial, and logistical foundations in place so you can focus on your studies once classes begin. The order matters: some tasks unlock others, and doing things in the wrong sequence can cost you extra trips and unnecessary stress.

This checklist organizes your first seven days in Valencia by priority, with each day building on what you accomplished the day before.

Before You Arrive: Pre-Departure Prep

Complete these tasks before boarding your flight to Valencia:

Book temporary accommodation for your first 5-7 nights (hostel, Airbnb, or short-term rental). Do not assume you will find permanent housing on day one.
Print key documents: passport copies (3+), visa copy, university enrollment letter, rental contract or accommodation booking, insurance certificate, passport-sized photos (4+, white background)
Notify your home bank that you will be using your card in Spain to avoid blocks on international transactions
Download essential apps: Google Maps (download Valencia offline map), EMT Valencia, Metrovalencia, Idealista, WhatsApp (primary communication method in Spain)
Book your empadronamiento appointment online if possible (slots open 2-3 weeks in advance and fill fast)
Research permanent housing options on Idealista and Fotocasa, and schedule viewings for your first days

Day 1: Arrival and Orientation

Priority: Get settled, get a SIM card, learn your surroundings.

Morning: Arrival

If arriving by plane, take Metro Line 3 from the airport (Aeroport station) to the city center. A single Zone A ticket costs 1.50 EUR and takes about 25 minutes to Xativa station. From Xativa, you can walk or transfer to reach most central neighborhoods.

If arriving by train at Estacion Joaquin Sorolla (AVE/long-distance) or Estacion del Norte (regional), both are centrally located and connected by metro and bus.

Afternoon: SIM Card

Getting a Spanish phone number is essential. WhatsApp is the primary communication tool in Spain for landlords, university offices, classmates, and everyday life.

Options for prepaid SIM cards:

Vodafone: Available at their shops on Calle Colon and in the main shopping centers. Prepaid plans from 10 EUR/month with data.
Orange: Shops throughout the city center. Similar prepaid options.
Lycamobile: Available at phone shops (locutorios) throughout Ruzafa and El Carmen. Cheapest option with good international calling rates.

You need your passport to purchase a SIM card in Spain. The process takes about 15-20 minutes.

Evening: Neighborhood Walkabout

Walk around your temporary accommodation area. Locate the nearest supermarket (Mercadona, Consum, and Lidl are the most common student-friendly chains), pharmacy, and metro/bus stop. Buy basic groceries for the next few days.

Day 2: Bank Account and MOBILIS Card

Priority: Financial infrastructure and transport.

Morning: Open a Bank Account

A Spanish bank account is necessary for paying rent, utilities, and signing up for services like Valenbici. Visit one of these banks with student-friendly account options:

CaixaBank — Multiple branches throughout Valencia. Their "Cuenta Joven" requires only your passport and enrollment letter. No monthly fees for under-30s.

BBVA — The "Cuenta Joven" offers similar benefits. Branches on Calle Colon and throughout the city.

Openbank (Santander's digital bank) — Can be opened online with just a passport. No physical branch visit needed, but activation can take 2-3 days.

N26 — Fully digital, opened from your phone. Accepts non-Spanish documents. Useful as a backup while your Spanish bank processes your application.

Bring: passport, NIE (if you have one), university enrollment letter, and your temporary address in Valencia.

Most banks will issue you a temporary card number immediately, with the physical card arriving in 5-7 business days.

Afternoon: Get Your MOBILIS Transport Card

Visit any Metrovalencia station and purchase a MOBILIS card from the ticket machines (2 EUR). Load it with a Bonometro (10 trips for 7.60 EUR) to get started. You can upgrade to a monthly SUMA pass once you have your Tarjeta Jove (youth card).

If you are under 30, also visit the Metrovalencia customer service desk at Xativa, Colon, or Angel Guimera station to apply for the Tarjeta Jove, which gives you 50% off monthly passes. Bring your passport and proof of age.

Day 3: Housing Search (If Not Already Secured)

Priority: View apartments and secure permanent housing.

If you did not arrange permanent housing before arriving, today is dedicated to flat viewings. The Valencia rental market moves quickly, and the best rooms are taken within days of listing.

Strategy

Check Idealista and Fotocasa first thing in the morning for new listings
Contact landlords and flatmates via WhatsApp (the preferred method in Spain)
Schedule 3-5 viewings throughout the day, clustered by neighborhood
Bring cash for a potential deposit (one month's rent is standard) or be prepared to transfer via your new Spanish bank account

What to Check at Viewings

Natural light and ventilation (Valencia summers are hot)
Water pressure and hot water reliability
Internet connection quality (ask about the provider and speed)
Proximity to your university campus and nearest metro/bus stop
Neighborhood noise levels (ground-floor apartments on busy streets can be loud)
Energy certificate rating (affects heating/cooling costs)

Signing a Lease

When you find the right place, standard procedure is:

Agree on terms verbally
Sign the lease contract (contrato de alquiler)
Pay the deposit (fianza), typically one month's rent
Receive keys and schedule your move-in

Read our complete housing guide for detailed neighborhood comparisons and pricing.

Day 4: Empadronamiento

Priority: Municipal registration at your permanent address.

The empadronamiento should happen as soon as you have a permanent address. If you booked a cita previa (appointment) before arriving, attend it today. If not, try to book one as early as possible.

What to Bring

Passport
Rental contract or accommodation letter
Completed Hoja Padronal form (download from the Ajuntament de Valencia website or get it at the office)

The empadronamiento is usually processed on the spot. You will leave with a volante de empadronamiento, the certificate you need for almost every subsequent administrative step.

See our detailed admin offices guide for specific addresses and tips.

Day 5: TIE Appointment and University Registration

Priority: Immigration paperwork and academic setup.

Morning: TIE Application (Non-EU Students)

If you are a non-EU student, you must apply for your TIE within 30 days of arrival. The appointment is at the Oficina de Extranjeros on Calle Bailen, 9. TIE appointments are difficult to obtain, so ideally you should have booked this before arriving.

Bring:

Passport with student visa
EX-17 form (completed)
Passport-sized photo
Empadronamiento certificate
University enrollment letter
Health insurance certificate
Tasa 790 (012) receipt (approximately 16 EUR, paid at a bank beforehand)
Photocopies of everything

Afternoon: University Campus Visit

Visit your university campus to:

Locate your department and classrooms
Visit the international students office (Oficina de Relaciones Internacionales) to introduce yourself and ask about orientation events
Get your student ID card (carnet de estudiante) if available
Access the university Wi-Fi network
Find the library and computer labs
Check for any additional registration steps or document submissions required

Both the Universitat de Valencia and UPV hold orientation sessions for international students in the first weeks of the academic period. Attend these if available, as they often cover practical information that is difficult to find online.

Day 6: Health Insurance and Daily Life Setup

Priority: Healthcare access and quality-of-life services.

Morning: Health Insurance Registration

EU students with EHIC: Visit your assigned Centro de Salud (health center) to register and receive your SIP card. Your assigned center depends on your empadronamiento address.

Non-EU students with private insurance: Ensure your policy is activated and you know how to access care. Keep your insurance card and policy number accessible at all times.

Afternoon: Valenbici Registration

If you have your Spanish bank account active, register for Valenbici (Valencia's bike-sharing system) online or at the office on Plaza del Ayuntamiento. The annual subscription is 29.21 EUR and provides unlimited 30-minute rides. Activation takes 3-5 business days.

Evening: Grocery Run and Kitchen Setup

Do a full grocery shop at Mercadona or Consum. Essential items for a student kitchen in Spain:

Olive oil (the foundation of Spanish cooking)
Rice, pasta, legumes (lentils and chickpeas are staples)
Fresh bread (bought daily is the Spanish way)
Seasonal fruits and vegetables
Eggs, chicken, canned tuna
Coffee (for your morning routine)

If you need kitchen equipment, Ikea Valencia (accessible by bus) and Tiger/Flying Tiger (Calle Colon) have affordable options. Second-hand shops (tiendas de segunda mano) and the Wallapop app are also excellent for used kitchen items.

Day 7: Social Connections and Final Touches

Priority: Build your network and tie up loose ends.

Morning: Join Student Communities

Visit your university's student association office and sign up for relevant groups
Join WhatsApp and Telegram groups for your Master's program (ask classmates or the department office)
Follow your university's social media for events and announcements
Look into Erasmus Student Network (ESN) Valencia, which organizes events for international students regardless of whether you are an Erasmus student

Afternoon: Explore Your Neighborhood

Spend time getting to know your permanent neighborhood:

Walk to your campus to time the commute
Find your nearest menu del dia restaurants for affordable weekday lunches
Locate a laundromat if your flat does not have a washing machine
Find a gym or outdoor exercise area if fitness is part of your routine
Visit the Turia gardens for a run or bike ride, a Valencia ritual

Evening: Review and Plan

Check off what you have accomplished and note what remains:

SIM card with Spanish number active
Bank account opened (card arriving soon)
MOBILIS card with trips loaded
Permanent housing secured with signed lease
Empadronamiento completed, volante in hand
TIE application submitted (non-EU) or EU registration started
University registration and student ID obtained
Health insurance registered
Valenbici registration submitted
Grocery supplies and kitchen basics in place
Student communities and WhatsApp groups joined

What Comes Next

After your first week, the remaining tasks can be spread over the following weeks:

Week 2: Receive your bank card, pick up your Valenbici subscription confirmation, attend university orientation sessions, finalize any outstanding enrollment documents.

Week 3-4: Apply for the Tarjeta Jove (if under 30) for transport discounts, explore Valencia beyond your neighborhood (visit the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, the beach, Albufera), establish your weekly routine of classes, study, and social activities.

Month 2: Collect your TIE card (if applied), settle into your academic rhythm, consider part-time work opportunities if your visa permits it.

The first week is the hardest because everything is new and every task requires a learning curve. But Valencia is a welcoming city that becomes comfortable quickly. By the end of your first month, the administrative hurdles will be behind you, and you will be free to focus on why you came: your postgraduate studies and the experience of living in one of the best student cities in the Mediterranean.

Review our complete administrative guide for detailed information on every office and procedure you will encounter.