Top 5 Tips: What to Pack for Moving Abroad to Spain

16 hours is how long it took me to pack for Spain…is what I would guesstimate if I had timed it. Out of those 16 hours I’d say a good 10 of them consisted of me stressing, procrastinating, and then sitting amongst piles of clothes confused on what I should bring, what I should leave behind, and how I was going to fit everything into my suitcases.

My luggage consisted of the following: One carry-on suitcase, One checked suitcase, a camera bag, and a messenger bag. Other participants in my program definitely brought more, but I highly recommend bringing just this for now since moving around Madrid with luggage is a nightmare.

5 Tips to Breaking Packing Paralysis

1. Maximize luggage space

While you can always buy what you’re missing once you arrive, it’s best to try and pack what you can so you don’t have to spend a fortune on basics.

To pack my suitcases to the brim, I used a combination of packing cubes and vacuum seal bags that I purchased off Amazon. The vacuum seal bags were perfect for shrinking down clothes that take up a lot of space, but keep in mind you’ll need to iron them once you unpack.

2. Putting the bag in baggage

I brought two small hand bags, one medium hand bag, and a messenger bag for everyday use. While I use them all frequently, I still wish I brought a back pack. Walking around Madrid and taking the public transport with a heavy bag is uncomfortable and can put a lot of strain on the shoulders. 

Tote bags also come in super handy for grocery stores or any other purchases as most places in Spain charge a small fee for single-use bags. I bought a reusable Mercadona (grocery store chain) bag for .60 cents and I’m definitely getting my money’s worth in terms of use. Aside from trips to the store, I’ve used my reusable tote for shopping at markets and picnics in Retiro.

3. Electronics

Aside from the necessary phone, laptop, or tablet, it’s best to leave anything with a US plug at home. You can easily purchase hair tools or other necessary electronics in El Corte Ingles, Supermarkets, Amazon, or second-hand on websites like Wallapop. 

I HIGHLY recommend getting a portable charger. This should be #1 on your list after all other basic electronics. Until you get acclimated to your neighborhood, I guarantee you’ll need it any time you step out of the house to navigate through the city and public transport.

Keep in mind that for any electronics you do bring, it will need an adapter that’s able to convert voltage. The voltage in Spain is 230, and though most modern phones and laptops are dual-voltage, other electronics might not be so it's best to check your devices beforehand.

4. Don’t dress to impress

Heavy sweaters, voluminous dresses, thick pantsuits, and hundreds of pairs of shoes = wasted space and a guaranteed overweight luggage fee. You most likely won’t be able to wear these types of clothes regularly.

Once you’ve settled into a place to fully unpack, or until the weather is more forgiving, I recommend bringing basics and a select few statement pieces for the winter and spring. Plus the clothes here in Madrid are very chic, so chances are you’ll acquire new clothing here regardless. 

A note on weather:  If you’re arriving in Spain during autumn, the weather is quite finicky, constantly changing from steaming hot afternoons to chillingly cool mornings and nights. 

If there’s anything I DO recommend buying once you’re here, it's winter clothes. Coats, sweaters, and jackets can take up a lot of valuable space and there’s a plethora of stores here that sell gorgeous and affordable winter clothes. Instead I recommend bringing some of the following items:

• Long sleeve shirts or thin sweaters
• Denim jackets
• Jeans
• T-shirt/Tank tops
• Blouses and thin dress shirts
• Trousers and dress pants
• Dresses
• Thick socks
• Tights (especially ones with fleece for during the winter)
• A bathing suit 

For shoes you really only need a few choice pairs to get you by:

• Two pairs of comfortable sneakers.
• Sandals or crocs
• Boots
• Flats
• One or Two pairs of heels

Most people average around 10,000 steps daily in Madrid, and even more when traveling or going out. Your shoes will be used and abused so make sure to bring a variety, or invest in some new pairs once you’re here.

Personally, I brought two pairs of heels and a pair of sneakers. Looking back, I do really wish I brought my Doc Martens and my Vivo barefoot sneakers as both are very comfortable and versatile. 

5. Non-traditional Necessities

Here is a list of things you might not have thought of bringing, but can come in pretty handy for acclimating to life in Spain:

• Photos of loved ones
• Any other sentimental portable objects
• A portable fan
• Sunglasses
• Perfume decanters
• A favorite blanket
• Hobby related items like hiking boots, e-reader/books, or crochet hooks and yarn
• Noise-canceling headphones
• Specific cosmetic products*
• Reusable water bottle or travel mug

*Certain ingredients and brands are not sold in Spain. For example, benzoyl peroxide is not sold over-the-counter, and therefore any other cosmetics containing it aren’t sold here either. Make sure to check EU guidelines and stock up before you leave. (I miss my Panoxyl 😢)

Notes about Amazon & online ordering

At some point you will need to purchase something on Amazon or another online website. While Amazon does work in Spain, be aware that your U.S. Amazon Prime account will NOT transfer over to Spanish Amazon and you will need to buy a whole new prime subscription. 

Another thing to keep in mind is that most apartments in the Madrid region are directly off the street, meaning Amazon cannot leave packages directly at your doorstep in case it is stolen. Luckily, you can ship your orders to a nearby Amazon locker. 

For more tips and advice, or updates about my time in Spain, follow me on Instagram and TikTok @vivibobeevi