How many days you are entitled to move: the simple guide you need in 2026 Copy

Moving isn't just about putting your life in boxes. It involves paperwork, logistics, decisions, changes... and all without taking time off work.

That's why one of the big questions when you are faced with a relocation is the one that has surely led you to this article: How many days do I get for moving to Spain?

Incredible as it may seem, the answer is not as simple as "one" or "two".. The fact is that the law says one thing, but the agreements say another and, between the two, they remain misunderstandings that we will help you clear up today.

What the law says, told without technicalities

The starting point is the Workers' Statutewhich sets out the minimum that every company must respect.

What is this minimum? Article 37 of Article 37 states that it is a day's paid leave for moving house.The change of your usual place of residence is paid for by you.

This "habitual residence" is the key. It does not apply to temporary moves, leisure moves, second homes or one-off changes. It is a "real" move: the house where you are going to live officially.

This day is a legal basis. A minimum. And the good news is that, although it may not seem like a lot, collective agreements can extend itand in many cases they do.

When the agreement improves your life (and your days off)

A good collective bargaining agreement can have many advantages for your working conditions and, in the case of removals, there are very big differences between sectors.

The Statute guarantees you one day, but it is quite common to find agreements that offer two or even three, depending on the distance of the transfer..

For example, there are agreements that give one day if you move within the same municipality, two if you move to another nearby town and some more if the change involves another province.

Others directly envisage two paid days without going into further detail. And some sectors (health, education, large corporations) are particularly generous.

The idea behind these enlargements is simple: Anyone who has moved knows that one day is not enough for almost anything.. And the conventions recognise this.

For this reason, we recommend that in addition to what the law says, you consult your agreement to find out if you can enjoy an extra day that will give you a little more peace of mind to make your move without so much haste.

When can you apply for this permit?

For the company to be able to grant it without problems, you need to fulfil two requirements: that you really change your habitual residence and that you are able to justify it if you are asked to do so.

Depending on the company, they will ask for the rental contract, the deeds of sale or a certificate of census registration. Nothing extraordinary.

However, there is something important that many people forget: leave is taken on the day of the movenot a week before to plan and not three days after to set the tableware.

Its purpose is to facilitate the transport of the household, not the internal organisation.

And an important nuance: if your move coincides with a rest period (weekend, holiday or holiday), the company may consider that it is not appropriate to take it on another date.

That is, it may not "pile up" so check and try to choose your moving day wisely.

How to order to avoid misunderstandings

Although there is no official procedure, ideally, you should you communicate it in writing to the human resources department or your line manager. Please indicate:

• The actual date of the move
• That it is a change of habitual residence
• That the permit is requested in Article 37 of the Workers' Statute
• And that you will submit the necessary documentation

This will put you on record and avoid ambiguous "I thought that..." conversations.

What if I move far away? Or to another community? Or abroad?

This is where the famous "it depends" comes into play. The law does not distinguish between distances: for the law it is one day, whether you move two streets away or 600 kilometres.

But agreements usually take this into account. If your agreement provides for a distance-based extension, you will be entitled to extra leave. If not, the leave will remain the same.

And what happens in an international move?

Nor does the legislation provide for a special permit. The change may be enormous, but at the employment level the treatment is identicalOne day or whatever your agreement stipulates for the change of your usual place of residence.

In these cases it is usually the company itself which, through internal organisation, will offer you additional facilities if the transfer is linked to work.

Can I ask for more days, even if I am not entitled to them?

The answer is once again, it depends. The law and the collective agreements talk about a paid day, but normally you will have no problem extending your leave by spending a day of holiday or own business.

The questions everyone asks (but almost no one gets right)

Can I split the leave into hours?

No. It is a full day's leave.

Can I take it after I move?

No. Legally it is for the day of the transfer.

Can my company refuse me?

Only if it is not a change of habitual residence or if you do not submit documentation if required.

What if I move for work reasons?

Leave works the same way. There is no "forced" relocation bonus unless your collective agreement provides for it.

In conclusion, at least one day, but don't stay there alone.

The law gives you one day, yes, but your collective agreement can give you more. And your company, even more flexibility. The key is to inform yourself, ask for it in good time and accompany the process with clear documents.

Moving is chaos enough as it is, without adding to employment doubts, that's why Gil Stauffer can help you to make the process even easier and more convenient. taking care of your entire move so that, whether you have one day or more, you can make the most of it without stress or strain.