I have already written a post about the less obvious things you should pack when moving to Spain, but as my brother is getting ready to move to Spain himself and asked me what normal things he should be taking, it occurred to me that maybe I should share a post with more obvious things you should pack to Spain.

I guess I haven’t written it because packing seems so straightforward, but now when I think back, I remember having no clue what I should and shouldn’t pack, and I know I packed too much of some things (clothes) and not enough of others (necessities that I later had to buy).

This post can serve as a general packing list for what to bring when you move to Spain, but remember- everyone is different!  Think about what YOU would pack for a month away (long enough that the weather could change), but also you won’t die if you don’t have something you need because you will have time to buy it.  I use a month because it’s less daunting than a year 🙂

What to Pack When Moving to Spain

Clothes

In general, when packing clothes, pack the things you wear at home and remember, if you haven’t worn something in the last year, your new change of environment is not going to make you wear it.  Leave it at home.  Also, remember, Spain has incredible options when it comes to shopping.  You can get nice things at reasonable prices, so you will (probably) end up purchasing a few things during your time abroad.

• T shirts
• Long-sleeved shirts
• 1 sweatshirt
• a few sweaters (I bought a lot when I got to Spain…they have nice ones!)
• jeans
• other pants
• leggings if you like to wear them at home (not to wear in public…see this post)
• shorts if you wear them (just a couple pairs)
• skirts if you wear them (I bought 2 in Spain- one denim and one regular)
• dresses (I brought 2 and have since bought…many)
• 2 bathing suits (but if you don’t have them until summer it’s ok)
• pajamas (you can also buy really great and inexpensive ones from Primark in Madrid)
• 2-5 ‘going out’ outfits depending on what you like to do
• a jacket (I brought one I never wear and bought a light coat from HM and a heavy coat from Zara)
• a denim or other casual jacket (I bought one from Bershka)
• sandals for the summer
• boots for fall and winter (I bought 2 pairs my first year)
• heels if you wear them (I bought a few pairs)
• regular sneakers
• running shoes (I brought mine and bought new ones after a year)
• running/ workout clothes (I actually haven’t bought anything new except sports bras)
• socks
• bras
• underwear
• 1 backpack
• 1 small purse for going out
• 1 bag for daily use- something to hold wallet, phone, keys, maybe laptop (I bought all bags in Spain)
• jewelry
• watch

Other

Health

• 1 bath towel (you can buy more, but this will get you started)
• 1 small face towel
• all of your medications (prescribed)
• your glasses
• comb/ brush

Travel

• 1 small suitcase or duffel you will use for traveling (this could be your carry on, but make sure it’s comfortable for weekend trips)
• a small bag of toiletries that will get you through your first few days and also serve as a toiletry bag when traveling (bring: shampoo, conditioner, soap/body wash, small deodorant, razor, body lotion, lip balm, hair products you use (in small containers), small perfume, nail file, comb, brush, floss, toothbrush, toothpaste, tampons if you need them, anything else you use)
• deodorant: a lot of people don’t like Spanish deodorant and prefer the American varieties.  Personally, I like the Spanish ones, so maybe bring a couple to get you started
• a small medical kit including just a few things you may need- not the whole box (ibuprofen, melatonin, ear plugs, a few bandaids, NyQuil, a couple throat lozenges)
• a small blanket from home (great for plane rides)
• sunglasses in a case
• durable water bottle (you can also buy them in Spain, but get one for the first few days of travel)
• a box of granola bars or other quick snack (for before you have time to get to the supermarket)

Organizational

• a small tool kit: fill a small ziploc bag with a couple rubber bands, a few paper clips, mini stapler, mini tape, a couple pens, a sharpie and a highlighter.
• a small notebook
• laptop
• laptop charger (I highly recommend purchasing the European version of the charger.  My computer’s motherboard blew out from using an American charger)
• Camera and camera charger, if that’s important to you
• unlocked phone 
• headphones
• converter/ adapter (or buy one in Europe)
• a few large ziplock bags (you never know what you will need to store), a few small ziploc bags, a few regular plastic bags (for dirty laundry, shoes, etc)
• family photos to hang on your wall

Very Important

• passport with your new visa
• your police background check that you used to apply for your visa
• cash (dollars to convert or euros)
• a debit card (call your bank to let them know you will be in Europe so they don’t block funds)
• a back-up credit card (from your parents or your own)
• color copies of ALL of your important documents.  Bring a folder with copies of: your passport (all pages, but especially your information page and visa page.  It is a good idea to make multiple color copies of these pages as you will need them in the first few weeks and it will save you the trip in Spain.  You can never have enough copies of your passport!), driver’s license (front and back), credit cards and debit cards (front and back), health insurance card in the US, birth certificate, maybe social security card (I didn’t)
• Physical cards to bring to Spain: credit card, debit card, driver’s license, health insurance card, student ID (for discounts, as long as it doesn’t have an expiration date)