Living in Spain offers a wonderful life in a beautiful, modern country, with excellent infrastructure and a safe living environment. Spain is a vivacious country, and the expat lifestyle is exciting, with so many things to do and see. If you’re thinking about moving to Spain, there’s a lot to look forward to. To help you discover more about Spain, we’ve put together this guide featuring the pros and cons for expats in Spain, the best places to live in Spain as an expat and so much more.
How many expats live in Spain?
Spain is a very popular destination for expats from all over the world. About 15% of the country’s population is foreign-born. That’s around 7.2 million people, including about 5 million born outside of Europe.
What is it really like for expats living in Spain?
The OECD’s Better Life Index placed Spain above the average when it comes to work-life balance, health, income and wealth, social connections, and security. The HSBC also ranked Spain third in the expat living category in its annual league table in 2021. This was based on a survey of over 20,000 expats.
The pros and cons for expats in Spain
Just like moving to any new country, balancing the pros and cons is a surefire way of helping you determine whether Spain is the right country for you. Let’s explore some of the benefits and downfalls of living in Spain as an expat:
The pros of being an expat to Spain
1. Low cost of living
Even major cities like Madrid and Barcelona offer a high standard of living for significantly less compared to other European countries like London and Paris. There are plenty of attractive mid sized and small cities with incredibly affordable real estate prices.
2. Great weather
The incredible weather in Spain is probably one of the main reasons people decide to move there. Although the climate and weather in Spain can vary depending on where you are and when you visit, the country’s overall climate is fantastic.
3. A large expat community
Given that Spain has long been a popular destination for foreign expats, it should come as no surprise that there are a lot of large Spain expat communities throughout the country. Expat communities can be found all over the country, including in major cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Bilbao.
4. Buying property is quick and easy
Non-residents can easily buy real estate in Spain. There are no restrictions on land and no particular requirements for foreign investments in real estate. Buying a house in Spain is an important step that can help tremendously with adapting and assimilating into the Spanish society.
5. High quality healthcare
Health is probably the most important consideration when moving abroad. What will you do in a foreign country if you get sick or need ongoing treatment? You can rest assured that Spain has a highly developed medical system and as an expat you will have full access to it. Private medical insurance for expats is mandatory when applying for a visa, and fortunately, is it much more affordable than medical insurance plans in the US and there are some great ones out there.
The most popular and reliable medical insurance company in Spain among expats is Adeslas. In addition to medical coverage, they also offer dental, accident, pet, home and business insurance coverage. Monthly rates for medical insurance range from €65 to €199, but if you sign up for expat medical insurance through this link, you will qualify for a special discount of up to 32%.
The cons of being an expat to Spain
1. Language barrier
Spanish is one of the most popular languages to learn and the second most spoken language worldwide. In Spain alone, there are numerous dialects and accents, and Basque, Catalan and Galician are just a few of the languages spoken there. Even if you speak Spanish well, these cultural differences can be a challenge. And, unless you are in a major city, the majority of Spain is known for its lack of English speakers.
2. Bureaucracy
Paperwork is a favorite pastime of Spaniards. There is a document that needs to be filled out for every little thing, and when it comes to bureaucracy, processes are not quick. Be prepared to run around for a few days before actually settling in if you are moving to Spain. There are many documents to fill in for every aspect of your relocation.
3. A slow pace of life
The Spanish enjoy a relaxed approach to life. Be prepared for lengthy coffee breaks, inconsistent working hours and surprising siestas. Expats from North America, Britain, Northern Europe and other cultures who are used to efficient, well-organized processes and a “get things done” attitude find it hard to adjust to slower processes and longer turn around times.
How to get residency in Spain
Expats must register with immigration and apply for a residence permit upon arrival in Spain. Spain has numerous visa and residence permit options. Most expats opt for a temporary residence visa in the form of a Non-Lucrative Residence Permit, Employment Visa, or Entrepreneur Visa.
The temporary residence permit is usually issued for two years, whereafter it is renewable, provided that you meet the economic requirements and have lived in the country for at least 183 days. Read more about applying for residence here.
Best places to live in Spain
As an expat, picking one of the best places to live in Spain is entirely up to you and will depend on what you want from your new life in Spain. Spain offers it all: from a bustling inner-city lifestyle to laidback beach living. Let’s look at a few of the most popular places to live for expats in Spain:
1. Madrid: The lively city
After Malta’s Valetta and Portugal’s Lisbon, Madrid is officially the third sunniest European capital city. This alone makes Madrid one of Spain’s most desirable cities to live in for many expats.
Madrid is also seen as Spain’s most lively city. It comes alive after midnight when partygoers stay up through the night until morning when the city reverts to calm.
But don’t be too alarmed if you’re thinking of moving to Madrid with your family and children. Madrid is not just about the nightlife. It’s a great city for families and those who want to retire in a vibrant city. There are many family-friendly locations very close to the center but far enough to be peaceful at night.
2. Barcelona: The cosmopolitan city
Barcelona has both beaches and an urban area that work well together. This makes the city a good option if you want to experience both the city and the beach all in one place. The city is lively and brimming with stunning architecture, and access to the beaches is easy. English is widely spoken, making it easy to navigate the city.
Barcelona is known for its amazing cuisine, both traditional and international. The city has plenty of great restaurants to try.
You can also get to most places in Barcelona by train, metro, or bus; the city has excellent public transportation. Even at night, everything functions very well.
Because of its safety, cosmopolitan lifestyle, great food and easy access, Barcelona is a popular destination among American expats in Spain.
3. Seville: The romantic city
Seville is considered to be the most romantic city in Spain due to its Moorish architecture and stunning riverfront. Seville maintains its small-town vibe despite being one of Spain’s biggest cities.
Living in Seville, you get the best of both worlds: the lively pace of a big city and the charming atmosphere of a small town. In addition, the city has excellent transportation, a laid-back way of life, and a very affordable cost of living.
4. Valencia: The culinary city
Valencia is an excellent option if you want to live near the sea because it has a pleasant climate throughout the year and housing is more affordable than in other Spanish cities. The city on the Mediterranean coast has undergone significant transformation over the past few years to become one of the country’s most dynamic locations.
Valencia is also heaven on earth for foodies. The Valencians set the standard high with their culinary skills as the creators of paella.
5. Malaga: The old city
Last but not least, Malaga, one of the world’s oldest cities. This city, on the Costa del Sol, offers you the perfect climate throughout the year. It’s also a city full of history that will not leave you always wanting to explore more.
When expats from all over the world choose to relocate to Spain, the country’s low cost of living is a top consideration. This holds even more true in Malaga. Malaga is a city with excellent cuisine at very reasonable prices, plenty of job opportunities, and a very reasonable cost of living. These aspects make Malaga one of the best places to live in Spain for expats.
The cost of living in Spain
Even in the cities, the cost of living in Spain is among the lowest in Western Europe. A family of four can easily live off an estimated monthly cost of $3,500. Monthly rent ranges between $600 and $1200, while the average monthly utility bill, including electricity, water and heating, for a couple is around $200.
Choosing a location that fits your budget is essential. There are plenty of great Spanish cities to live in as an expat, but in terms of cost of living and especially housing costs you may see big differences from one city to another. For instance, real estate in Alicante is about 60% cheaper than in Barcelona.
Finding a nice place to live is fairly easy in large cities, where you have great, reliable, apartment rental websites like Homelike to find a furnished apartment. They cater to foreigners, expats, students and business people who relocate internationally and are looking for stress-free way to find an apartment to rent in Barcelona or Madrid. Listings are presented in English and several other international languages, for ease of use.
Spain is a top choice for all expats
Moving to another country can be a difficult choice, but if you know you’re choosing a destination with plenty of opportunities and benefits, the journey is so much easier.
If you’re thinking about moving to Spain, you can have peace of mind knowing that Spain is a wonderful country to live in. Be sure to check out all our Spain guides to research more about becoming an expat and making the journey an enjoyable adventure for you.
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