About the author
Hi, I’m Max Fischer. I run All About Madrid.
The site started because of a move that never actually happened. I’m a software engineer, and back in 2025 I got offered a job in Madrid. I spent months getting ready for it: researching neighbourhoods, learning about the empadronamiento, figuring out tax residency, comparing health insurance, trying to understand what an autónomo even means. Then the job fell through before I ever got on a plane.
But I’d already done all the work. I knew Madrid’s bureaucracy, its rental market, its visa system, and its everyday quirks better than most people who actually live there. Rather than let all that research just sit there, I turned it into something useful for other people making the same move.
That’s what All About Madrid is. It’s written for anyone relocating to Madrid who wants clear, practical answers instead of vague tourist advice or outdated forum posts.
All About Madrid is completely independent. It is supported by donations from readers like you.
How guides are written
Every guide on this site is written from scratch based on primary research. That means:
- Reading the official Spanish government sources directly — AEAT (tax agency), Seguridad Social, the Ministerio del Interior, and the Comunidad de Madrid — rather than summarising what other websites say.
- Cross-checking bureaucratic processes against reader feedback and real-world reports from people who have recently completed them.
- Consulting official fee schedules, legislation, and published forms rather than relying on third-hand information.
This site does not provide legal, financial, or immigration advice. The guides explain how things generally work — they are not a substitute for a qualified gestor, abogado, or immigration lawyer for your specific situation. See the terms for the full disclaimer.
How guides are kept up to date
Spanish regulations change regularly. Autónomo fee bands, IRPF tax brackets, transport prices, and visa income thresholds are reviewed and updated whenever official changes are announced. Each guide displays a “Updated on” date at the top — this reflects the last time the content was reviewed and confirmed to be accurate, not just the original publication date.
If you spot something that looks out of date, please contact me. Reader corrections are one of the most reliable ways the site stays accurate.
Content policy
The content on this site follows three principles: it must be clear, it must be free, and it must be trustworthy. The full details are in the content and advertising policy.