Moving to Valencia
from Ireland

No. Ireland is an EU member state, so you have the right to live, work, and stay in Spain indefinitely under EU freedom of movement. You do need to register with the National Police to get a certificate of registration after 3 months, but this is a simple process.

Once you spend 183+ days in Spain in a calendar year, you become Spanish tax resident and must file an IRPF return. You should notify Revenue Commissioners in Ireland using Form 12 or a cessation of employment letter. Ireland and Spain have a double taxation treaty so you won't be taxed twice.

Yes, but it depends on your employment status. If you are employed or self-employed and contributing to Spanish Social Security, you and your dependents are automatically entitled to full public healthcare, and you can register at a local Centro de Salud with your NIE and proof of employment. If you are not economically active in Spain (for example a remote worker paid by an Irish company, unemployed, or an early retiree), you are legally required to hold comprehensive private health insurance to obtain your EU residency certificate. You can later opt into the public system through a regional agreement (convenio especial), but most non-working expats rely on a private plan (typically 80 to 120 euros per month) as their primary cover.

The NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) is your Spanish tax and identification number. You'll need it to rent a flat, open a bank account, buy a car, and pay taxes. The process is free. Book an appointment at the National Police station (Comisaría) with your passport and proof of address.

No, not automatically. Ireland is an EU member state, so your Irish licence remains valid to drive in Spain for as long as it's in date - there's no mandatory exchange or deadline. That 2-year exchange rule applies to non-EU countries like the UK or Australia, not Ireland. Many EU residents still choose to swap to a Spanish licence for convenience once renewal is due, since renewing a foreign licence from abroad can be more hassle than a straightforward exchange at the DGT.

Yes, smaller than the UK community but active and growing. There are Irish pubs, GAA clubs, and Facebook groups. Many Irish expats cluster in Ruzafa and Eixample. The English-speaking expat community as a whole is very large and welcoming.