Moving out on your own can feel like jumping into the unknown, and not everyone manages to get through it smoothly, at least during the first few weeks. If you're going through this process and don't know how to move out of your parents' house, here are some tips that can be a great help.
Key steps to becoming independent from your parents
A good summary of everything you need to plan when leaving your parents' home includes five actions or steps: plan everything, save up to become independent, look for accommodation, furnish your new home and finally tell your parents. This last point can happen at any time, meaning it doesn't have to follow the established order.
Planning your move out of the family home
"I really don't know how to become independent, I don't know who to turn to.". That doubt crosses the mind of everyone who wants to start living on their own. The first step is making a list of what you'll need and, above all, of the budget you'll use to cover all those new needs.
Saving up to become independent
Another tip is to start saving a few months before moving out, cut back on unnecessary purchases and keep in mind that you'll soon have to cover many more expenses. Until someone actually becomes independent, they don't really know how much it costs.
House hunting
Here the criteria are simple: it should be close to work or your place of study, have good transport links, suit your own needs and, if possible, be close to where other family members live.
Furnishing your home
The saving step is very important because the flat you choose won't always be fully furnished. In turn, simply moving out on your own or sharing a flat requires expenses that can be quite high.
Telling your parents
Moving out is a natural process, but if your parents know about it in advance, they can help you with logistics and finances and even offer advice and recommendations.
How to organize the move to your new flat
So far we've covered tips for handling the process of leaving your parents' home, but once the decision is made and everything is ready, it's time to organize the move.
Hiring the services of a removals company
At Horizont Atlantic we are removals professionals. Our job is to transport the belongings you'll need in your new flat and everything you don't want to leave behind at your parents' house.
On top of that, we take care of all the permits and administrative authorizations to occupy public roadways when necessary, and we have insurance to protect your belongings during transport.
Administrative procedures: utilities
Another point to bear in mind is that when you arrive at your new home, it needs to be functional and ready to move into. If it's a rented flat or home, the electricity, water and phone utilities will be under the landlord's name, but you'll need to arrange a change of account holder. You might also consider lowering your electricity contracted power, signing up for a better internet service or similar tasks.
Finally, once you're settled into your new home, it's advisable to update the address on your official documents: ID card, driving licence, Tax Agency, Social Security, bank details and postal mail subscriptions.
Moving out can be a real headache, but in the end everything always works out. These tips come from the experience we've built up as a removals company, and from similar situations we've seen time and time again.
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Get your quoteFrequently asked questions about moving out
What minimum income do I need to move out in Spain?
Standard financial guideline: your monthly housing cost (rent + utilities + community fees) shouldn't exceed 30-35% of your net income. For a shared flat rental in a mid-sized city: at least €800-1,200 net per month. For your own flat: €1,500-2,000 net. In the Canary Islands the thresholds are similar, although the cost of living is slightly higher.
Is it better to rent or buy when moving out?
In the first years of independence, it's almost always better to rent: your career is still unstable, you may need to change cities for work, and you don't have enough savings for a mortgage down payment (20-30% of the price + 10% in fees). Buying makes sense when: your career is stable, you know you'll be staying in the city for 5+ years, you have enough savings and the numbers work in your favour (mortgage payment similar to or lower than rent).
What should I budget for the first month of moving?
More than you'd think: deposit (1-2 months' rent), 1 month paid in advance, agency fee (in Spain, capped at 1 month if the contract is for 5+ years), setting up electricity/water/gas/internet (~€150-300), basic furniture if you don't have any, professional removals (~€300-800 for a modest volume), your first grocery shop. Typical initial total: an extra €2,500-5,000 on top of the monthly rent.
How can I avoid conflicts if I'm going to share a flat with strangers?
Before signing: visit and meet the current tenants in person, ask about the rules (schedules, visitors, cleaning, shared expenses), check how joint payments are managed. Once you've moved in: set clear rules (a shared spreadsheet for expenses, a cleaning rota, rules for visitors), respect common areas, and address conflicts as soon as they arise instead of letting them build up.
What about the bureaucratic procedures when moving out?
The priorities for the first few weeks: registering at your new town hall (padrón), which gives you access to a health centre and social services, updating your address on your ID/NIE, notifying the Tax Agency (form 030), notifying your bank, and updating your car's registered address with the traffic authority (Tráfico) if you have a vehicle. More on planning: cheap removals, money-saving tips.
