At a Glance
Cost of Living
moderate
Safety
high
English Level
moderate
Climate
Mediterranean coast, continental interior, oceanic north - varies by region
Essentials
Cost of Living
Spain offers moderate cost of living, significantly cheaper than Northern Europe or US. Barcelona and Madrid are most expensive (€2,000-2,800/month), while Valencia, Málaga, and Sevilla provide excellent value (€1,500-2,000/month). Regional variations significant.
Healthcare
Spain has one of the world's best healthcare systems, ranked 10th globally. Public system free for residents and workers, private insurance €50-100/month. Life expectancy 83.3 years (highest in EU). English-speaking doctors available in expat areas.
Housing
Spanish rental market varies dramatically by city. Barcelona and Madrid competitive and expensive, requiring deposits of 1-2 months. NIE and bank account often needed. Long-term rentals offer best value. Scams common on platforms like Idealista—use caution.
Banking & Finance
Opening Spanish bank account straightforward with NIE but challenging without. Major banks include BBVA, Santander, CaixaBank. Online banks like N26 good for bridging gap. Credit system less developed than US—debit cards standard.
Lifestyle
Transportation
Spain has excellent public transport—metros in major cities, extensive high-speed rail (AVE) network. Monthly metro passes €40-55. Most expats don't need cars in cities. Driving on right side, good road network. BlaBlaCar popular for intercity travel.
Language
Spanish (Castilian) is official language nationwide. Catalan spoken in Catalunya, Galician in Galicia, Basque in Basque Country. English proficiency moderate—essential to learn Spanish for daily life and integration. DELE certificates available for visa/citizenship.
Remote Work
Spain is a top digital nomad destination with dedicated visa. Excellent internet (avg 243 Mbps, 89% fiber coverage). Thriving coworking scene in Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia. Good timezone for US East Coast (-6 hours) and Asia/Australia overlap. Digital nomad communities strong.
Expat Community
Spain has large expat communities, especially in Barcelona, Madrid, Costa del Sol. Easy to find international friends but learning Spanish essential for local integration. Meetup.com active, InterNations popular. Cultural associations for most nationalities. Regional identities strong.
Food & Dining
Spanish cuisine is diverse, regional, and central to culture. Menú del día (€10-15 lunch) incredible value. Tapas culture varies by region. Late dining (9-10pm+). Wine inexpensive and excellent. Regional specialties strong. Mediterranean diet healthy and fresh.
More Topics
Taxes
Spain has progressive income tax (19-47%) but Beckham Law offers 24% flat rate for eligible expats. Become tax resident after 183 days. VAT (IVA) 21% standard. Annual tax return (Modelo 100) required. Gestoría recommended for filing (€200-500).
Safety
Spain is very safe, ranking 25th globally in Global Peace Index. 6th lowest homicide rate in EU (0.63 per 100,000). Violent crime rare, but pickpocketing common in tourist areas Barcelona, Madrid. Emergency number: 112. Overall excellent safety for expats.
Culture & Lifestyle
Spanish culture emphasizes work-life balance, family, late schedules (dinner 9-10pm), and vibrant social life. Siesta culture varies by region. Strong regional identities (Catalunya, Basque Country). Festivals and celebrations central. Relaxed pace compared to Northern Europe/US.
Climate & Weather
Spain offers diverse climates: Mediterranean coast (300+ sunshine days, hot summers, mild winters), continental interior (extreme seasons), oceanic north (rainy, mild). Canary Islands have perfect year-round weather. Coastal areas most popular with expats for weather.
Education
Spain offers free public education (K-12) and affordable universities. International schools available in major cities (€8,000-20,000/year). Spanish public universities are low-cost (€1,000-3,000/year). Bologna Process degrees recognized across EU.
Family Life
Spain is very family-friendly with strong family culture. Childcare available but can be expensive (€400-800/month). Maternity leave 16 weeks paid, paternity 16 weeks. Children often live with parents until late 20s/marriage. Multi-generational activities common.