When you migrate to a new country, everything seems different, you are lost and it is even overwhelming. But what many people don't know is that there is a network of municipal services in Europe designed precisely to support you in your process of adapting and taking care of your daily wellbeing, even if you are thousands of miles away from home.
Municipal services are not just bureaucratic red tape. They are your gateway to getting housing, taking care of your healththe education of your children, learning a new trade thanks to the vocational training or the social support you need to build a new life in an unfamiliar city.
One thing you should bear in mind is that from the moment you register in a European municipality, you gain access to rights and resources that function as very important pillars for your integration.
In this article, we present a a comprehensive guide to municipal services for migrants that you can benefit from. We explain which are the most important, how you can access them and how they can support your adaptation and well-being in your daily life.
Because at Curiara we know that taking care of your loved ones from afar is the most important thing for heroes like you, so do it knowing your rights and the resources available to you.
Registration: the first step towards your integration
The empadronamiento is the official registration of your residence in a municipality. Although it may sound like a simple administrative formality, it is in fact the gateway to virtually all the municipal services that a city can offer.
When you register, you don't just communicate where you legally live. You activate your access to health, education, social benefits, and many administrative authorisations.. Without registration, even if you live in a place, administratively you do not exist within the municipal service system, so be sure to make an appointment as soon as you move in.
How to register
The registration process varies slightly by country and municipality, but is generally straightforward. You will need:
- At SpainYou must go to your local town hall with your passport, identity card or NIE, proof of residence (rental contract, bills, etc.) and fill in a form. Registration is free and compulsory if you live in the municipality.
- At PortugalThe process is similar. You must go to the municipal administration with identity documents and proof of residence.
- At Italy: You need to register on the anagrafe (municipal registration). Requires identification, proof of residence and, in some cases, the Italian tax code.
- At Germany: Registration takes place in the Meldebehörde (registration office) with your passport, proof of residence and a registration form that you will be given there.
Once you have registered, you will receive a document or certificate that certifies your residency. Keep it safe, as you will need it for practically all subsequent procedures.
Access to healthcare: your right to take care of yourself
The access to health services is one of the most important municipal services fundamental which you can access after registering. Although the health systems While most European municipalities guarantee access to basic and emergency medical care.
At SpainOnce you are registered, you have automatic access to the National Health System (SNS). This means that you can go to municipal health centres, hospitals and emergency services without paying for any consultations. This is one of the major benefits of administrative integration, as migrant in Spain.
The first step is to obtain a health card from your local health centre. Once you have it, you can:
- Arrange an appointment at doctor's appointments primary care
- Access to the nursing services
- Put on your vaccines that you need and make you revisions preventive
- Get prescriptions for medicines to take them out at the pharmacy
At PortugalAfter registration, you can register at the health centre in your area. Access to basic health services is also free of charge.
At ItalyImmigrants with regular residence can have access to the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN). You must register at the ASL (azienda sanitaria locale) in your district.
Education: training for you and your children
If you have children, one of the biggest benefits of the municipal services is the access to free, quality public education.
At Spain, education is compulsory and free from 6 to 16 years of age. The schooling process is simple. Contact the provincial education office or the town hall, and they will guide you to the schools available in your area. No registration or monthly fees are required.
Pre-school education (0-6 years) is not compulsory, but many municipalities offer public places in municipal nurseries free of charge or at subsidised prices, so you can leave your baby if you have to work and have no one to leave him/her with.
At Portugal the system is similar. Compulsory education is free from age 6 to 18. At Italy, As in other European countries, schooling is compulsory and free of charge from the age of 6 to 16.
And, in Germany, education is compulsory and free of charge. You must register your children at the school in your area of residence.
Vocational training and language courses
The municipal training services are crucial for your integration into the labour market. The language proficiency Local government is one of the biggest obstacles for many migrants, but it is also one of the areas where most municipal support is available. Many municipalities offer:
- Free or subsidised language coursesUse them to facilitate your linguistic integration. These range from basic to advanced levels, and many are specifically adapted for adults.
- Vocational training programmes: research the sectors in demand, and sign up for the one that suits you best. They range from hospitality and construction to technology and IT.
- Employability workshopsThe courses help you to improve your CV, prepare for job interviews, improve your communication skills and learn how to navigate the labour market in your new country of destination.
- Competence accreditation programmes: so that you can validate your qualifications even if they come from another country
In Madrid, for example, there are the Participation and Integration Centres (CEPI) that offer free programmes such as «Conoce tus Leyes» (Know your Laws), where you learn about Spanish constitutional and socio-cultural rights and duties, and receive a diploma certifying your integration efforts. This diploma is especially valuable if you later need to apply for any kind of permit.
In Barcelona, the Immigrant Assistance Service (SAIER), which has been in operation since 1989, provides information on integration, employment, training and legal advice on immigration.
These courses are often financed by European funds such as the European Social Fund (ESF+) and are completely free of charge. This is no coincidence, as the European Union recognises that investing in migrant training benefits their countries' economies.
Housing: the right to a place to live
Housing is a fundamental need, and many municipalities in Europe have residential support programmes for immigrants. Finding housing as a migrant can be especially challenging due to discrimination, or the distrust that landlords may have, in addition to bureaucratic barriers. This is where municipal services play a crucial role.
In Spain: Some municipalities offer:
- Sheltered accommodation for new arrivals (temporarily limited, usually for people in vulnerable situations). These are especially valuable for those arriving without a support network.
- Orientation in access to housing and mediation with landlords, ensuring that you are not discriminated against.
- Information on rights tenants and protection against such discrimination.
- Help so that you understand rental contracts and negotiation of terms.
In addition, some municipalities offer:
- Subsidies housing or rental subsidies (especially for low-income families).
- Accompaniment in the search for housing and cultural mediation with landlords.
- Connections with NGOs working on inclusion programmes.
At Portugal, There are municipal initiatives for temporary accommodation for new arrivals, especially in large urban centres.
In Italy, some municipalities offer temporary residential solutions for newly arrived migrants, often coordinated with non-profit associations.
Cultural activities and interpretation services
Municipalities offer some community activities, such as cultural workshops or meeting spaces where you can meet other migrants like yourself or local people who can help you with your adaptation.
These initiatives bring you the following:
- Facilitate integration in a gentle and gradual way
- Generate links between migrants and the local community
- Celebrating cultural diversity as a differential value
Interpreting and intercultural mediation services
If language is a barrier for you, many municipalities offer interpretation and mediation services. This is especially important for:
- Manage your medical appointments and to understand the diagnoses.
- Legal formalities
- Communication with your children's school
- Resolution of neighbourhood conflicts
Intercultural mediators not only translate, they understand cultural contexts and can help you with all kinds of formalities.
How to access these services
1. Register first. Registration is the key that opens all doors. Without it, your access to services is limited.
2. Ask for your identity papers. In Spain, the application for the NIE (Foreigner's Identity Number) is essential. Apply for it at the National Police.
3. Look for the office for immigrant services or social services. Go to your local council and ask if they have any of these services:
- Foreign Desk
- Municipal social services
- Integration Department
4. Ask, without fear. Public services are there to help you. Asking questions is not a nuisance, it is your right. If you don't speak the language well, ask for an interpreter or find someone who can translate things for you.
5. Document everything. Keep records of your applications, receipts and letters. Documentation is important for future processing.
Do not hesitate to request these services, they will be perfect allies in your integration process.
And remember, every time you use any of these services, you are not asking for a favour, you are exercising a right. Because even if you have crossed several borders, and you are far away from your homeland, the municipal services Europeans are a good option to prosper. Your contribution through money transfers for those who are far away, are more than guaranteed.
At Curiarawe know that caring for your loved ones from afar also means caring for yourself.. So accessing these municipal services, through which you will be able to train, take care of your health and building a stable life, is part of that care for those you have left behind. Because when you are well, you can better support those you love.