Congratulations: the hardest part is done. You’ve got your place and, now that the excitement (and nerves) of the entrance exams and admission have passed, the practical question arrives: now what? The truth is that the summer before starting university comes with a fair few tasks, but if you tackle them in order and in good time, you’ll arrive in September with everything sorted and stress-free. This is your roadmap, step by step.
1. Confirm and formalise your place (enrolment)
The first thing is to secure what you’ve earned. Depending on the admission process, you’ll have to accept your place and complete your enrolment within a set deadline. Watch out here: the dates and procedures vary by university and region, so check your university’s official calendar and don’t leave it to the last day.
Have the usual documents ready (ID, grades, certificates) and the information on fees. If you’re going to apply for a grant, find out how it affects enrolment before you pay.
2. Apply for the grants and aid you’re entitled to
Money is part of the plan from the start. Check which aid you can apply for: the general grant from the Ministry (Beca MEC), the regional grants for your community and the university’s own grants. Each has its requirements and, above all, its deadlines, so don’t let them slip by.
If you’re studying away from your home city, pay attention to the residence amount of the general grant, designed precisely for that. You’ll find the details in our Beca MEC guide.
3. Decide and book your accommodation (the sooner, the better)
This is probably the most important decision of the summer, because it shapes your routine, your budget and how easy it will be to settle in. And there’s an element of urgency: the sooner you act, the better prices and more room options you’ll find. Booking late, especially in high-demand cities, tends to cost more and leave you with whatever’s left.
For a first year away, a residence is usually the most comfortable option: you arrive with the basics sorted (utilities, wifi, services), you have a clear cost and it’s much easier to make friends from day one. If you want to compare options calmly, our posts on types of accommodation and on what to check before booking a residence will help.
4. Sort out the basic paperwork
There’s an “invisible” part it’s worth identifying:
- Municipal registration (empadronamiento) in your new city (you’ll be asked for it for several procedures).
- A youth or student transport pass, which is usually very cheap.
- If you’re coming from outside Spain, add procedures like the NIE or TIE and the health card or medical insurance. It’s all detailed in our guide to paperwork for international students.
Having this list clear before you arrive saves you rushing in September, when everyone is doing the same thing at once.
5. Organise your budget
Starting to manage your own money is part of the change. No need to overcomplicate it: tell your fixed expenses (accommodation, transport, phone) apart from the variable ones (food, leisure), and always keep a cushion for the unexpected. And bear in mind that the first month usually costs more because of the upfront costs, especially if you go for a flat (deposit, month in advance, initial purchases).
6. Prepare the move
When the date gets closer, it’s time to pack. The trick is not to bring half your house: take the essentials (clothes, documents, chargers, toiletries, something that reminds you of home and the basics for your room) and buy the rest there in the first few days. So you don’t forget anything, take a look at our moving checklist.
7. Get your head around the change
It’s not all paperwork. It’s completely normal to feel a mix of excitement and nerves about the change, and acknowledging it helps you handle it better. You don’t have to have everything under control from day one: becoming independent is something you learn as you go. If you want to start picturing what living on your own, making friends and settling in will be like, we tell you all about it in our guide to your first year away from home.
Summer checklist
- Accept your place and complete enrolment on time.
- Apply for the grants you’re entitled to.
- Book your accommodation as soon as possible.
- Organise the paperwork: empadronamiento, transport and, if you’re coming from abroad, NIE and healthcare.
- Set up your budget with a margin for the unexpected.
- Prepare the move with just the essentials.
- Get your head around it and arrive with a good attitude.
Frequently asked questions
When do I have to enrol? It depends on your university and region. Check the official calendar as soon as you have your place, because the deadlines are tight.
When should I book accommodation? As soon as possible, ideally in spring-summer to start in September. Booking early means better prices and more room options.
Can I apply for the grant even if I don’t yet know where I’ll live? Yes. You can apply and, in general, update details such as your residence address later, during the period set aside for it. Check the conditions of each call.
What documents do I need when I arrive in the city? At a minimum, to register your address (empadronamiento) and get a transport pass; if you’re coming from outside Spain, also the NIE/TIE and health coverage.
How much budget should I plan for? It depends a lot on the city and the accommodation. The key is to separate fixed and variable expenses and to expect the first month to cost more.
Arrive in September with everything sorted
If there’s one big relief in this summer of admin, it’s having your accommodation locked in early: with that sorted, the rest of the steps fall into place and you arrive in your new city with a clear head.
At Livensa Living residences we make it easy: a clear all-inclusive fee, well-connected locations in the main university cities of Spain and Portugal and a team that helps you from the very first moment. Secure your place in your destination city and spend the rest of the summer enjoying yourself before the adventure begins.