You can’t hit the ground running in a new country if you don’t have some clue where to start.
Speaking from a U.S. perspective, there were certain apps I couldn’t live without in daily life. Think: Google Maps, Spotify, Libby … Then there were the less-used but still useful ones, like store apps and streaming services.
Whether we like it or not, there’s an app for that.
It can be overwhelming, especially when you can’t differentiate between what you need and what’s just nice to have.
Before we get into the weeds, first things first: If you’re using a U.S.-based Apple App Store or Google Play account, to access Spanish apps, you’ll either need to change your account location or create a Spain-based account. Some apps are not available worldwide, meaning they’re only available in their country of origin.
Personally, I used a secondary email address I already had to create a Spain-based account in the App Store. I log in and out of both accounts as needed.
The Non-Negotiables
For a country that loves its old-school paperwork procedures, Spain is surprisingly forward-thinking on the technology-meets-bureaucracy front.
DEHú. Official immigration communications are sent through DEHú. Although you’ll still receive emails to your email of record, this is where you’ll find messages if something goes missing.
AppValencia. This is the city of Valencia’s app. Enter your city name and find the app, if it exists. You’ll find important local information in this app, including weather alerts, community events, and service updates.
Cita Previa. Using your digital certificate, Cita Previa allows you to request and manage immigration appointments.
Certificado Digital. Once you’ve obtained your digital certificate, it lives inside this app on your phone, acting as official identification that lets you access websites and other official apps.
Cl@ve. Cl@ve works hand-in-hand with Certificado Digital. Think of Certificado Digital as the keys to the car, and Cl@ve as the car.
Public healthcare app for your region. In Spain, each region names its public healthcare app something different, so you’ll need to find out what yours is called. In Valencia, it’s GVA+Salut.
Don’t think of this as a comprehensive list. Rather, it’s a list to get you started as you learn what other apps you’ll need as you navigate a new life in Spain.
Daily Essentials
These apps make day-to-day life simpler. You don’t need them, per se, but you’ll find life a bit easier if you use them.
Your health insurance app. We have private health insurance, and all of the big companies offer apps. Download it and get familiar with it. You’ll use it more than you think.
Your favorite private healthcare system’s app. We frequently use Quirónsalud for doctor appointments. I find having their app on my phone convenient for making appointments, confirming them, and viewing medical records or lab results.
Transit apps. In Valencia, I use EMTicket to ride the buses. There is no App Store app for the Metro, so I created a shortcut to the website on my phone that looks like an app. There’s also a city bicycle rental app called Valenbisi, which I occasionally use.
Banking apps. We currently use Revolut as our Spanish bank, and I use it to keep on top of bill payments and some purchases, as well as to manage our kids’ monthly allowances. I also use the Wise app to move money from our U.S. bank account to our Revolut account.
WhatsApp. Spain—and the EU—runs on WhatsApp. I use it to communicate with friends and family, participate in local groups, and contact businesses. Even doctors’ offices will communicate via WhatsApp. It took some getting used to, especially since WhatsApp doesn’t have the same presence in the U.S., but now that I am familiar with it, it’s become my preferred method of communication.
Your Spanish phone service’s app. Check your bills. Make payments. View your usage. Contact customer service.
Nice-to-Haves
These are the apps that you’ll use—maybe not frequently—but they won’t be top of mind. Instead, you’ll just be glad you didn’t have to download them when you thought about using them.
Mercadona. Okay, maybe this one won’t be your favorite, but I love it! Mercadona is my favorite grocery store here, and while I don’t use it for shopping, I do use it to check whether I can find a particular item at my local store. Figure out which grocery store you like best and download the app.
Trainline. Renfe’s website can be notoriously tricky to use, and with iryo and Ouigo in the mix, Trainline acts as an aggregator, making it easy to compare prices and times.
Freenow. Need a cab? Freenow is my favorite way to grab a ride around town. You can schedule a taxi, tip your driver, and follow the route while you ride.
Food delivery apps. My preference is Uber Eats, but in Spain, you can also choose from Glovo or Just Eat. Not all restaurants that deliver are offered on each app, so you might want them all.
This isn’t a comprehensive list, but I hope it gives you a good starting block. Landing in a country and not knowing where to find the information you need straight up sucks. No way around it. I wish someone had handed me this list before we moved. Instead, I had to piecemeal it together, which took time, patience, and digging.
I write here about building a life abroad—slowly, imperfectly, and with a lot of trial and error.
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If you’d like to reach out directly, you can find me at jen@jeninspain.com.
For more reading on navigating Spain:
This was very helpful to know that we would need to have another google account in a different country. It's knowing those little things that can match the transition easier.
I think that one reason that whatsapp is not as common in the USA is it many of us who have been on the dating apps are shy to get on to it because a lot of the scammers try to get you to switch to that platform to talk... I only got it in the end when I went to Belize, because that's the only way that most people communicate there... Especially those in the travel industry.
Excellent list. Thank you. There were a couple of the gobierno apps that I did not know about, so that is good.
For those using private hospital system IMED, their app is excellent.
Also, I recommend Omio for trains. I tried both and preferred Omio.
On a happy note, all the apps you listed are available globally on the Apple Store. I know I did run into the problem of national stores with the private hospital system Vithas, but I am pleased that most of these (all?) are available from the US store. This is important as I can immigrate most of my digital life to Spain, but the movies and serial shows that we have purchased over the decades in the Apple Store are only partially able to make the move, so we moved back to the US Apple Store. Mostly not an issue, and, as you point out, one can maintain two Apple IDs.
Good work on this article, Jen. Thank you.