New to NSE Madrid? We’ve got what you need to know to get settled. (jvinasd (123RF))
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Welcome the the U.S. National Support Element (NSE) in Madrid. Madrid is a vibrant and lively city known for its rich history, stunning architecture and unbeatable nightlife. As Spain’s capital, it offers a mix of modern convenience and traditional charm, making it an exciting place to live.
Weather
Hot summers (95–104°F in July/August)
Mild winters (41–59°F, some cold nights)
Spring and fall are the best seasons with perfect weather for exploring.
Make sure to try tapas. (mybixo (Adobe Stock))
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Mealtimes
Lunch at 2–4 p.m.
Dinner at 9–11 p.m.
Festivals
San Isidro in May
La Paloma in August
Christmas markets in December
Madrid has a well-developed and efficient transportation system that includes metro, buses, commuter trains, taxis, and bicycles. Here are the primary modes of transportation in the city:
Metro de Madrid: One of the largest metro networks in Europe, with 12 lines and over 300 stations.
EMT Buses: Operated by Empresa Municipal de Transportes (EMT), covering the entire city with over 200 routes.
Cercanías Madrid: Commuter trains operated by Renfe, connecting Madrid with nearby cities and suburbs.
Taxis & Ridesharing: Ridesharing services like Uber, Cabify and Bolt operate in Madrid.
BiciMAD: A public electric bike rental system with over 200 stations across Madrid.
Car Sharing & Scooters: Companies like Zity, Free2Movie and Wible provide electric car-sharing services. Electric scooters from Lime, Bird and Dott are available for short trips.
Medical Care | You will need to register with TRICARE Overseas for medical coverage. There is no requirement to designate a PCM. However, you must request an authorization for each doctor visit by calling, e-mailing or using the MyCare Overseas app. Dental care is handled by United Concordia (part of Tricare Overseas) with a similar process that requires the provider to have an Appointment Control Number for each appointment.
Housing | All housing is procured from the local economy. Housing office staff, working with your sponsor, will make recommendations for you to book your Temporary Lodging based on the facilities you require (pets, size of family, etc..) so that you can remain within your Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA) limit. To facilitate your housing hunt, the staff will link you with local realtors who serve as military personnel advocates with local landlords. All inbound personnel are advise of the need to have funds on hand for up-front temporary lodging payments and rental housing deposits associated with this assignment.
The Housing Office will assist you with finding a home, drafting your lease agreement, delivering loaner furniture and appliances (if desired), and any translation services you will need regarding home or utilities; as well as helping with any housing-related issues.
MWR | Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) provides numerous community recreation, fitness and entertainment opportunities. MWR also maintains a library and offers free checkout gear.
When choosing a home location, consider the bus travel time your kids will experience on the way to the school as compared to commuting time to the sponsor’s work location in the CAOC-TJ at Torrejón AB.
When choosing a home location, consider the bus travel time your kids will experience on the way to the school as compared to commuting time to the sponsor’s work location in the CAOC-TJ at Torrejón AB. (bernardojbp (123RF))
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Kindergarten–High School
If you have school-age children eligible for American kindergarten through high school, there are a lot of great options including the American School of Madrid, International College Spain, Brewster Madrid, additional private school options or local Spanish schools. Most schools will have Spanish lessons as part of the curriculum.
The Non-DOW Schools Program (NDSP) website has a list of pre-approved schools at www.dodea.edu/non-dow-schools.
Preschool Options
Any schooling for children younger than 4 years old is at your own expense. NDSP will pay for Pre-K starting at 4 years old. Most formal pre-school options for children under 5 years old are five-day a week programs.
