Moving out on your own is taking a leap into the unknown that not everyone is able to overcome, at least in the first few weeks. If you're in that process and don't know how to become independent from your parents, we show you some advice that can be very helpful.
Key steps to becoming independent from parents
A good summary of everything you need to plan to leave your parents' home includes five actions or sections: plan everything, save to become independent, look for housing, equip the new home and finally tell your parents. This last point can be cross-cutting, that is, appear at another time in the established order.
Plan your departure from the family home
Don't I know how to become independent, who should I turn to?. That doubt hovers over everyone who wants to start living alone. The first step is to make a list of what you will need and, above all, the budget with which all those new needs will be covered.
Save to become independent
Another tip is to start saving a few months before becoming independent, put aside unnecessary purchases and think that soon you will have to cover many more expenses. Until a person becomes independent, they don't really know how much cost is associated with it.
Find a home
Here the dynamics are simple: that it be close to work or study, that there be good communication, that it fit your own needs and, if possible, that it be close to the residence of other family members.
Equip the home
The step of saving is very important because the apartment you choose won't always be fully equipped. In turn, just by going to live alone or sharing an apartment requires making expenditures that can be very high.
Tell your parents
Becoming independent is a natural process, but if your parents know in advance, they can help you with logistics, economics and even advisory and recommendation work.
How to organize the move to your new apartment
So far we've seen advice for dealing with the process of leaving your parents' home, but when the decision is already made and everything is ready, it's time to organize the move.
Hire a moving company
At Horizont Atlantic we are moving service professionals. Our job is to transport your belongings to the new apartment that will be necessary and all those that you don't want to leave at your parents' house.
On the other hand, they take care of all the permits and administrative authorizations to occupy public space if necessary and have insurance to protect belongings in transit.
Administrative procedures, utilities
Another point to keep in mind is that when you arrive at the new home it will have to be functional, ready to move in. If it's an apartment or rental property, the utilities for energy, water and telephone will be in the owner's name, but some change of holder will have to be made. On the other hand, you can consider the option of reducing electrical power, contracting better internet services or any other similar task.
Finally, once you are settled in the new residence, it is advisable to modify the address of official documents: ID, driver's license, Tax Agency, Social Security, bank details and postal mail subscriptions.
Moving out on your own can be a headache, but in the end the process always goes well. These tips come from the experience we have accumulated as a moving company and similar situations we have seen on countless occasions.
Are you preparing a move?
At Horizont Atlantic we take care of everything: packing, transport and assembly. Moves in Tenerife, between islands and to the mainland, with 15 years of experience.
Request your quoteFrequently asked questions about becoming independent
What minimum income do I need to become independent in Spain?
Standard financial recommendation: your monthly housing cost (rent + utilities + community) should not exceed 30-35% of your net income. For rent in a shared apartment in a medium-sized city: 800-1,200 € net monthly minimum. For your own apartment: 1,500-2,000 € net. In the Canary Islands the thresholds are similar although with slightly more expensive living.
Is it better to rent or buy when becoming independent?
In the first years of independence, almost always rent: working life still unstable, you may need to change cities for work, you don't have enough savings for a mortgage down payment (20-30% of the price + 10% costs). Buying makes sense when: stable working life, you know you'll be in the city 5+ years, sufficient savings and math in your favor (mortgage payment similar to or less than rent).
What do I need to budget for the first month of moving?
More than you think: deposit (1-2 months), 1 month advance, agency commission (in Spain maximum 1 month if it's a 5+ year contract), electricity/water/gas/internet setup (~150-300 €), basic furniture if you don't have it, professional moving (~300-800 € for modest volume), first grocery purchase. Typical initial total: 2,500-5,000 € extra on top of monthly rent.
How to avoid conflicts if I'm going to share an apartment with strangers?
Before signing: visit and meet current tenants in person, ask about rules (schedules, visits, cleaning, expense sharing), review how common payments are managed. After moving in: define clear rules (shared Excel for expenses, cleaning schedule, visit rules), respect common spaces and communicate conflicts as soon as they arise, don't accumulate them.
And the bureaucratic procedures when becoming independent?
Priority in the first few weeks: registration in the new municipality (gives you health center and social services), address change in ID/NIE, notify the Tax Agency (form 030), notify your bank, address change for your car at Traffic if you have a vehicle. More on planning: cheap moving, savings techniques.
