Durring the 2022-2023 school year, I lived in Palma de Mallorca as an auxiliar de conversación with Meddeas. I fell in love with the island and had an amazing experience living and teaching in Palma.
If you’re planning to move to Palma as an aux, or are curious about what it’s like to get settled in Spain, this guide is for you. I’ve tried to outline some more confusing bureaucratic processes, logistics like finding an apartment and using public transportation, and fun things like hiking and bike rentals. I hope this guide helps and inspires you for your new life abroad in Palma de Mallorca, Spain!
*Disclaimer* This is from an American’s perspective, meaning things related to visas, TIE appointments, etc won’t be accurate or relevant to EU members:)
- 9 Epic Hikes in Mallorca: A Mediterranean Adventure
- 10 Things to do in Palma de Mallorca: The Ultimate Guide to Mallorca’s Capital
- 9 BEST Things to Do in Mallorca, Spain
What to do if your NIE isn’t printed in your passport/visa
When I was issued my first Spanish visa, my NIE (foreign identity number) was not printed on it. When I contacted my consulate, they said it was out of their hands and good luck in Spain. We love bureaucracy. This caused quite a bit of stress and confusion when I arrived in Mallorca, but, after asking around at a few police stations, I found a solution.
Go to the Police Headquarters on C/ de Simó Ballester during business hours, earlier is better (say 9:00 am), and show this text to the officer standing at the door. (Or if you’re confident in Spanish you can explain the situation yourself).
Me llamo XX XXX y mi número de pasaporte es XXXXXXXXX. A pesar de tener asignado un NIE, por error administrativo, no aparece en mi visado (número de visa XXXXXXXX). Le agradecería si pudiera consultar mi expediente para poder informarme de mi número de NIE (no necesito un certificado, solamente saber el número) para poder proporcionárselo al colegio y al banco, con el fin de poder recibir mi beca.
Muchas gracias.
They should allow you to enter, and direct you through the station, towards the stairs on the left side to the second floor. Once there, wait in line (if there is one) and show/explain your situation again to the attendant. For me, he looked up my NIE, wrote it on a piece of paper, and gave it to me. I wasn’t given an official document, but knowing your NIE is enough to apply for the padrón, bank account, and TIE, and it will be later printed on your TIE.
Finding an apartment in Palma de Mallorca
I found the room I rented on Idealista and recommend this as the best platform for searching for rooms and apartments. Depending on where your school is located, you’ll likely want to balance your commute between your work and being near the action of the city center.
Neighborhoods
The neighborhoods I recommend are Santa Catalina, Bons Aires, and Arxiduc. If you can find somewhere affordable in the Centre, this is one of the most desirable locations, but also the most historic and expensive. It’s super convenient to be near Plaça d’Espanya and the Estació Intermodal, as this is where the bulk of public transit is. I lived a 5-minute walk from the station and found the proximity extremely handy.
The only areas locals recommended to avoid were Son Gotleu and certain parts of Pere Garau. I ended up living in Pere Garau on C/ Aragó, a popular thoroughfare near the city center, and I felt very safe. Locals also suggested avoiding the Parc de Ses Estacions after dark. I did end up walking through it a few times at night, it’s where the Estació Intermodal is, and I would say as a woman it could be a bit uncomfortable. But, overall I felt extremely secure in Palma, even walking home late after a night out.
Communicating with potential landlords
When communicating with advertisers/landlords on Idealista, avoid the generic auto-generated message and send them a detailed description about yourself (age, occupation, that you’re looking for a long-term rental, even hobbies/interests) and IN SPANISH. Also, if they list a WhatsApp number, reach out to them there instead of the Idealista messenger.
In my experience, it’s best to apartment hunt once you arrive in Spain, as most advertisers will arrange for you to view the flat that day or the next day. Also, places go quickly, even if you’ve arranged a viewing they may cancel and say it’s already taken. NEVER commit to or sign anything unless you’ve seen the place in person. Also, be a bit weary if your landlord requires you to pay rent in cash only, they could be evading taxes.
Opening a bank account in Palma de Mallorca
When opening my Spanish bank account, I used Santander and had an overall positive experience. I recommend going to the Santander Work Café in Plaça d’Espanya, because they’re open until 7:00 pm, unlike the traditional branches that close around 2:00 pm (although it seems their hours may have changed :/ ). Others I knew used the online banking service N26 and liked it. I knew I’d need to withdraw cash monthly to pay rent, so I opted for a bank with brick-and-mortar locations and ATMs.
How to set up an appointment
I requested an appointment online and brought my passport and school agreement/carta to my appointment. Some banks state you need to have your TIE to open an account, however, because your NIE is printed on your visa, this should be sufficient. They also helped me install the Santander app and add my card to my Apple wallet so I could start using it immediately, and my physical debit card was later mailed to the branch. Within the app, you can also use Bizum, the Spanish equivalent of Venmo.
Closing your account
If you don’t plan to renew or stay in Spain, transfer any remaining funds to your main account with a service like WISE (avoid the massive fees of a direct bank transfer) and close the account at the end of the school year. To close the account, you must go to the branch where you opened the account, and they can assist you in closing it. At the time of closing, your balance must be zero.
How to register for the empadronamiento (padrón) in Palma de Mallorca
Once you find your flat/apartment, you’ll need to register your new address at the town hall. This will be necessary to apply for your TIE, get your bus cards, and receive the flight discount for residents. If you are registering for the first time, you must book an appointment (you’ll be turned away if you do a walk-in). Go to the Palma Town Hall website and select the hyperlinked “clic aquí” to make an appointment at your nearest OAC.
Documents for padrón appointment
- Passport/Visa
- Original and a copy of the rental contract (must specify that the rental duration is 6 months or longer)
- Original and a copy of the receipt stating you’ve paid the first month’s rent (you may also need a receipt documenting that you’ve paid your utilities, but mine were included in the price of the room and this was outlined in the contract).
- Completed Hoja de inscripción padronal
- Complete the top middle portion with your new address
- Fill out row one with all your information (name, birth date/place, nationality, level of studies, passport/identity document info, and signature).
- Don’t fill out the second to last box unless you’ve already been registered somewhere else in Spain.
- Form of payment (cash or card to pay small fees/taxes for application)
This hoja informativa is very helpful in preparing for your appointment, double check it to ensure you’ve got all your documents in order, as they do update things from time to time!
If your appointment goes successfully, you’ll receive your padrón certificate (keep this for your TIE appointment) and your silver tarjeta ciudadana to use the public buses at discounted prices.
Don’t sweat it if you’re not approved the first time. I was approved during my appointment, and my roommate was denied the following week, and we had the same paperwork. Sometimes it just depends on who your attendant is, so try again on a different day.
The bus system in Palma de Mallorca: TIB and EMT
The local bus system in Palma is the EMT (Empresa Municipal de Transports de Palma de Mallorca)
At your padrón appointment, you will receive your tarjeta ciudadana, which is your EMT city bus card. This card can be loaded with money at silver kiosks at main bus stops around the city, and at tabacos. You can load your card with €€ credit, which is deducted each time you tap on when entering the bus, or by the number of rides per 28 days. I recommend checking out their website to decide what’s best for your situation.
Alternatives to the tarjeta ciudadana
If you don’t have your tarjeta ciudadana yet, the bus costs €2, paid in cash to the driver. This can get a bit expensive, so I recommend buying multi-use cards at the tabacos. When I was in Palma, I bought 10 rides for €7.5 (it looks like it may have gone up to €15). Each time you enter the bus you tap the card like the regular tarjeta ciudadana on the scanner. Not all tabacos sell them, here are some locations where I’ve bought them before.
- Tabacos: Av. del Gran i General Consell, 1, Centre, 07004 Palma, Illes Balears, Spain
- Estanco Palma 69: C/ d’Aragó, 21, Llevant, 07005 Palma, Illes Balears, Spain
During 2024, the EMT buses are FREE for residents, so try to get that tarjeta ciudadana ASAP!!
The regional buses around Mallorca are the TIB buses (Transports de les Illes Balears)
In Palma, you can apply for your tarjeta intermodal (TIB bus card) at the TIB office in the central station (Estació Intermodal). You can use this card on any TIB bus in Mallorca. Go down the main escalators, and go right, and you’ll see people waiting around an office just before the stairs that go down to the bus station. For your appointment, bring the original and a photocopy of your passport and padrón. (I recommend doing it directly after getting your pardón).
It often seems like there’s a massive wait (I got ticket number 209 when they were only on 89) but their digital counter only has two digits, so if it says 89, it resets after 99, etc. Grab a ticket, take a seat, and wait your turn. When it’s your turn, present your documents to the attendant, they’ll take your picture, and issue the card there. You can also book an appointment in advance here.
Fares and how to use your card
You can add credit to your TIB card at the kiosks in the station or online in increments of €5. The cost of your journey depends on the distance, so check out their website for fares. With the TIB card, you get a minimum 60% discount on fares, depending on which card you’re eligible for.
The TIB buses operate on a tap-on tap-off system, so be sure to tap the scanner both when entering and exiting the bus, or you’ll be charged the maximum fare. If you haven’t got your TIB card yet, credit cards work the same way, tap on/off, but the rate is slightly higher. With a credit card, you can tap multiple people on at once, make sure to tap out the appropriate number of times when exiting.
How to Apply for the TIE (Tarjeta de Identitdad de Extranjero) in Palma de Mallorca
Visas issued for auxililares are valid for 90 days, making it necessary to apply for the TIE (foreigner’s identity card) after arriving in Spain to extend your stay to the end of the program.
Scheduling the TIE appointment
First, make an appointment on the government website. Choose the correct region (Illes Balears) and the office on C/ Felicia Fuster. Next, select the Trámites Cuerpo Nacional Policia, and pick POLICIA-TOMA DE HUELLAS (EXPEDICIÓN DE TARJETA) Y RENOVACIÓN DE TARJETA LARGA DISTANCIA from the dropdown box.
After you hit accept and continue, there is a list of documents to complete and bring, including links to the application form EX-17 and tax form 790-012. Continue and enter your personal details (NIE, full name, country of passport) and, then select an appointment time.
This can be very frustrating, as no appointments may be available, but keep checking back, especially in the early morning. Sometimes people cancel and you can snag an abandoned appointment, and new appointments are released weekly (I think Friday mornings).
Once you reserve an appointment time, a code will be sent to your cellphone, enter the code (only valid for a few minutes!) and your email to confirm your appointment time. Print your appointment confirmation, they won’t let you into the building without it on the day of your appointment.
Documents:
- Appointment confirmation
- Passport
- Current photocopies of ALL pages of passport, including visa (specifically they’re looking for the stamp when you entered Spain)
- Two color passport photos (I took mine in the little photo booth in the Estació Intermodal for €5).
- Padrón certificate (and a copy)
- Carta/school agreement (and a copy)
- Form EX-17 (application)
- Under section 4, check “Tarjeta Inicial” if you’re applying for the first time.
- Tax form 790-012
- Fill it out, print it, and bring it to a bank/ATM to pay. (The cost was ~€16.08 when I applied).
- I paid at an ATM inside this BBVA, although you should be able to pay it at any bank. Bring cash to insert if going to an ATM.
I had a massive folder with all my documents which I brought with me, just in case I needed to show any additional papers.
How to pick up your TIE card
After your appointment, you’ll need to book a second appointment 30-45 days later to pick up your identity card (they should let you know approximately when to book the next one during your appointment and what your lot number is). They regularly tape signs on the main doors, stating which lot numbers are ready so you can stay up to date. To reserve the pick-up appointment, return to the main website and under Trámites Cuerpo Nacional Policia select POLICIA- RECOGIDA DE TARJETA DE IDENTIDAD DE EXTRANJERO (TIE).
After receiving your TIE, you can update your padrón to get the flight discount, and use this as your main form of identification within Spain.
How to get the Balearics resident flight discount
One of the main benefits of residency in the Balearics is discounted flights to mainland Spain. When you’re initially issued your padrón, the certificate will say “no válido para descuentos en viajes.” After receiving your TIE, go back to your OAC (you don’t need an appointment this time) and have them update your registration with your TIE. You’ll get a new certificate valid for flight discounts, which you’ll show at the check-in desk before your flights (make sure you bring it with your passport or TIE).
I’ve heard of people requesting the flight discount certificate online here with your tarjeta ciudadana information, but I’ve never used this certificate myself. Others have used this certificate successfully, but I noticed it looks different from what I was issued by the OAC. All you have to do is enter the number on your tarjeta cuidadana and your birthday, and it will generate the certificate for you, which is valid for six months.
I’ve read that some OACs are cracking down on the resident flight discount (technically it’s only for EU members/Spanish citizens with permanent residence in the Balearics) and with the aux program we are only temporary residents. However, it worked for me and many others, so I’d say it’s worth a shot, just knowing the risk that you could have to buy another ticket at the airport.
Other useful information
Join the Auxiliares in Mallorca WhatsApp group to connect with other auxes and stay up to date on what’s going on.
Ask for your school’s academic calendar ahead of time. Many festivals and puentes (long weekends, or extra days off to connect public holidays) give you tons of extra time to explore Mallorca and the rest of Europe. Take advantage!
Palma has a public bike system called BiciPalma for residents (and visitors I believe) to rent. Register on their website, then download the BiciPalma app to use. The first 30 minutes of each ride are free, and bike racks are dispersed around the city.
If you’re choosing between an eSIM and a physical SIM, it’s important to consider whether the eSIM includes text and call services. An eSIM with data-only services is fine for communicating via WhatsApp, but you’ll be unable to make calls to local numbers. You’ll need a Spanish phone number for your bank account and other applications, so it’s nice to have a local SIM. I used an Orange prepaid plan and would recommend it. It also includes data roaming in the EU, and you can buy cheap extra plans for the UK, etc. Just show up at one of the shops with your passport and they’ll get you squared away with the SIM.
Mallorca has some amazing hiking! Check out my post here for the best hikes around the island, most accessible by taking the TIB buses!
For other recommendations about my favorite things to do in Palma and on the island of Mallorca, check out these posts!
- 10 Things to do in Palma de Mallorca: The Ultimate Guide to Mallorca’s Capital
- 9 BEST Things to Do in Mallorca, Spain