Simona

Simona

Spain • 18 Posts

Simona Švelnytė documents the unromantic side of living in Spain — paperwork, systems, and everyday realities — with a preference for clarity over comfort.

Posts by Simona

The Spanish Health Card: Why a Social Security Number Is Not Enough Bureaucracy

The Spanish Health Card: Why a Social Security Number Is Not Enough

Having a Social Security number in Spain doesn’t automatically mean you can see a doctor. This article breaks down the overlooked administrative step that blocks healthcare access—and how to avoid wasting time at the health center.

7 min read
From Workaholic to Siesta-holic in Spain Funny Spain

From Workaholic to Siesta-holic in Spain

You arrive ready to work. Your calendar is full. Your motivation is high. And then Spain casually reminds you it’s a holiday. Again. A funny, honest look at how Spanish festivos slowly break the foreign work brain.

8 min read
The Secret Code of the Spanish Greeting: Are We Best Friends Now? Funny Spain

The Secret Code of the Spanish Greeting: Are We Best Friends Now?

You think you’re polite. Spain thinks you’re distant. A funny, honest guide to the unspoken rules of Spanish greetings—and why two kisses, loud hellos, and zero personal space are not intimacy, but culture.

7 min read
Madrid in Three Days — A Practical City Guide Travel

Madrid in Three Days — A Practical City Guide

A practical, ready-to-use 3-day route through Madrid. Includes walkable itineraries, pre-saved Google Maps routes, museum and cathedral entry tips, booking links, and a downloadable guide you can use offline.

11 min read
Spanish NUSS 2026: Get it Before You Lose a Job Offer Bureaucracy

Spanish NUSS 2026: Get it Before You Lose a Job Offer

Before working or using public healthcare in Spain, you’ll need your Social Security Number (NUSS). This guide breaks it down step by step so you’re fully prepared.

7 min read
Opening a Bank Account in Spain (2026): The Step Nobody Mentions Bureaucracy

Opening a Bank Account in Spain (2026): The Step Nobody Mentions

Opening a bank account in Spain can be confusing — different banks, different rules, and endless paperwork. Here’s a clear, step-by-step guide for expats to get it right from day one.

5 min read
Empadronamiento — Registering Your Address in Spain (2026 Guide) Bureaucracy

Empadronamiento — Registering Your Address in Spain (2026 Guide)

Step-by-step guide to the empadronamiento in Spain: documents, process, and key advice to register your address smoothly and avoid common mistakes.

5 min read
The Silent Bureaucracy Trap When Moving to Spain Bureaucracy

The Silent Bureaucracy Trap When Moving to Spain

Spanish bureaucracy doesn’t usually reject you. It ignores you. This article explains the silent sequence errors that trap most expats—and how to avoid losing months before you even know something went wrong.

8 min read
NIE vs. TIE in 2026: The 5-Minute Mistake That Costs You 4 Months Bureaucracy

NIE vs. TIE in 2026: The 5-Minute Mistake That Costs You 4 Months

In Spain, confusing one document for another can set you back months. This explains the real difference between NIE and TIE — and why getting it wrong is so common.

6 min read

Join 1k+ Readers —
Get Premium Stories and Insights

Get our best stories, insights, and trending topics delivered straight to your inbox. Join thousands of readers who never miss what matters.

Spain Digital Nomad Visa 2026: The Visa Mistake That Costs Remote Workers Thousands Every Year Bureaucracy

Spain Digital Nomad Visa 2026: The Visa Mistake That Costs Remote Workers Thousands Every Year

Most remote workers choose the wrong visa for Spain. Learn the difference between the Digital Nomad Visa and NLV — before it costs you thousands.

11 min read
The Non-Lucrative Visa in Spain 2026: The "No Work" Rule That Kills Applications Before Page Two Bureaucracy

The Non-Lucrative Visa in Spain 2026: The "No Work" Rule That Kills Applications Before Page Two

Many Spain Non-Lucrative Visa applications fail before review because of one misunderstood rule: no work. Here’s what consulates really look for in 2026.

10 min read
The Art of the Caña: How to Order Beer in Spain Without Embarrassing Yourself Funny Spain

The Art of the Caña: How to Order Beer in Spain Without Embarrassing Yourself

Think ordering a beer in Spain is easy? Think again. From "thimble-sized" glasses to the secret rules of free tapas, here’s how to master the caña without looking like a total tourist.

7 min read