Living in Spain as an Expat

Discover the Pros and Cons of Living and Working in Spain

Living in Spain offers many advantages. From its iconic tapas restaurants to breathtaking architecture, the sunny European nation is a unique destination that consistently ranks among the most popular choices for foreigners.

But if you’re considering a permanent move abroad, it’s essential to understand the pros and cons of living in a new country before you start planning. You’ll want to learn as much as possible about life there, including the climate and cost of living, healthcare, public transportation, and more.

The Pros of Living in Spain

In addition to a strong university system and flexible options for immigration, Spain’s balmy Mediterranean climate – and proximity to France and Portugal – attract expats in search of temperate weather.

Those are just a few of the reasons why international citizens find more pros than cons to living in Spain.

Climate and Location

Spain is located on the Mediterranean coast, where you’ll enjoy moderate temperatures and breathtaking seaside vistas. The country also has one of the world’s most diverse climates.

Spain is generally temperate, but inland, you’ll find hot summers and cold winters. By contrast, coastal living comes with mild summers and cool winters.

If you prefer flat, lowland areas, the Andalusian steppes of southwestern Spain and the Ebro Basin of northeastern Spain will satisfy your goal.

Meseta Central, home to Spain’s capital city of Madrid, is flanked by mountains and rivers along the border of Portugal.

Spain is divided into 17 autonomous regions and 50 provinces, many of which share their names with Spanish cities. This can be confusing for some expats upon first arrival.

Some regions and provinces have larger expatriate communities than others, such as:

• Almeria, a small province in Andalucía, has a population in which 22% of all residents are foreign-born. Most hail from the United Kingdom, Romania, and Morocco.
• Alicante, a large province on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, has about 20% of its residents born abroad, of whom about 10% are of British, Romanian, or Moroccan descent.
• Girona is located in the Mercadal district in the city center north of Barcelona, and hosts an expat population of just under 21%. The majority of foreign-born residents are either Honduran, Romanian, or Moroccan.

Note that Madrid, the capital city, has more American citizens than any other city in Spain, with 171 per 100,000.

Excellent Public Transportation

Like most countries in the European Union, Spain has a well-developed public transportation system, particularly buses, taxis, and trains.

The speed rails and metro systems are among the most modern in the world. If you choose to live in a big city, you can easily rely on public transit and avoid buying a car.

Getting Around By Bus

Spain has several bus providers, including Eurolines, FlixBus, Avanza, and Monbus. FlixBus even offers cross-border trips to other European countries, such as France, Germany, and Switzerland.

Bus fares are reasonably priced, and the comfortable, climate-controlled buses are ideal for long-distance travel.

Getting Around By Train

Spain’s extensive high-speed rail network makes train travel one of the most convenient ways to get around.

Renfe, the national railway company of Spain, operates high-speed trains (known as the Alta Velocidad Española, or AVE) that reach speeds of up to 310 km/h. Renfe’s train schedule is easy to monitor and book in advance online.

Depending on where you live in Spain, you can also book train travel through Euskotren, FEVE, FCA, and other smaller high-speed operators.

Getting Around By Taxi

Hailing a taxi or rideshare is simple in most major Spanish cities. In addition to government-owned cabs and personal drivers, you can also use private services like Uber, Cabify, and Bolt to call a cab.

These are popular options if you’re only headed a short distance, but for long-term travel, the bus or train is preferred.

Easy Residency and Visa Options

If you’re a citizen of the EU or European Economic Area (EEA), you can live and work in Spain for up to 3 months.

After that, you’ll need to register your address of residence with the local authority and obtain a residence permit – no visa required.

Note that, in the aftermath of Brexit, UK citizens no longer have the same freedom of movement to live in other European countries without a visa as they did when the country was part of the EU.

Visas for Non-EU Citizens

Non-EU citizens, including those from the UK, will need to meet additional criteria to secure a visa to live and work in Spain.

If that’s you, the type of national visa you’ll need depends on your reason for moving to the country, whether that’s for work, study, retirement, or family.

The New Digital Nomad Visa

Remote work has become more common than ever, and Spain’s new digital nomad visa embraces this shift in the workplace.

Non-EU nationals who work remotely for non-Spanish companies can now apply for the digital nomad visa to live and work in Spain for up to 5 years.

The country implemented this new visa system to attract self-employed freelancers, entrepreneurs, and remote workers.

To qualify for the digital nomad visa, you must be a citizen of a country that is not part of the EU or EEA.

You cannot be an undocumented resident of Spain when you apply, nor can you have lived in the country within the previous five years. You must also have three years of work experience or provide evidence of qualification in your field.

Note that if you’re a non-EU citizen, you must still apply for a temporary resident permit in addition to your visa if you plan to live in Spain for longer than six months.

Read more about Spanish work visas for expats.

Rich History and Culture 

Like all European countries, Spain has a long and storied history. Spanish culture is also more relaxed than most countries in Northern Europe or North America.

Common activities include catching up with friends over a long meal and playing games in the local square. The country’s favorable climate makes it ideal for outdoor socializing, which many Spaniards consider a way of life.

There’s also an active nightlife scene, especially during summer fiestas. You may find that the hours of normal living run later than what you’re used to in your home country.

The country’s laid-back lifestyle means it’s not uncommon to see Spaniards enjoying breakfast at a cafe closer to noon or grabbing dinner well after 10 p.m.

Affordable Higher Education

Spain has some of the best universities in the world, including the University of Barcelona and the University of Valencia.

The country is a popular study-abroad destination for international students and can be equally ideal for expats seeking to learn.

Spain’s public institutions tend to be more affordable than their private counterparts, even for non-citizens. This attracts students who seek a more international academic experience without the hefty financial burden.

The curricula at Spanish universities are just as strong in business and engineering as they are in the humanities and arts.

Since Spain seeks to attract international students, the language barrier is often less significant at Spanish universities than in other countries. There are many English-language study abroad programs available.

The Cons of Living in Spain

Despite the many pros of living in Spain, there are a few cons. Be sure you’re aware of the downsides before you start planning your move.

Potential Language Barrier

In order to apply for most positions in Spain’s job market, you’ll need to be fluent in the Spanish language. In the regions of Catalonia, Valencia, and the Balearic Islands, you may even be required to speak Catalan.

Of course, there are still exceptions, such as jobs that hire foreigners to teach English as a foreign language.

The language barrier can limit an expat’s ability to find work if they aren’t already a digital nomad or sponsored by an employer.

For international citizens who want to work in Spain, it’s best to secure a job before you leave your current home. It’s also worth noting that Spain has a much higher unemployment rate than other European countries.

This might not be an issue if you’re a digital nomad, but it can make the job hunt more challenging if you’re an expat who hopes to land a domestic position.

Nonetheless, explore our guide to the best jobs in Spain for foreigners.

Higher Than Average Cost of Living

Overall, Spain’s cost of living is on the affordable side, but still much higher than the world average.

If you want to save a few euros, it’s best to avoid renting or buying property in high-traffic tourist areas and larger cities such as:

• Barcelona, the country’s most expensive city (although still lower cost than other major cities like London or New York)
• Madrid, the capital of Spain
• Bilbao, located deep in the heart of the Basque Country
• Seville, a city that is expensive but less so than Madrid, or living abroad in Barcelona

Finding a place to live in Spain that has a lower cost of living doesn’t mean you have to give up a better quality of life.

If you’re a price-conscious expat, consider an affordable Spanish city or small town, such as Zaragoza, Murcia, Alicante, or Granada. All offer a low cost of living, and public transit connects them to other parts of Spain.

Public Healthcare

At some point after moving to Spain, you’ll need access to medical care. Spain’s public healthcare system, known as the Sistema Nacional de Salud (SNS), is impressive but not comprehensive.

For an expat to access public healthcare in Spain, they must be a legal resident or hold a work permit.

The public healthcare system also places limits on doctors and the types of treatments it covers, and wait times in Spanish hospitals can be long.

For those reasons, it’s recommended that expats purchase international health insurance before they move. A private healthcare plan can make it easier to access the treatment you need while reducing wait times.

Not only that, but Spain requires all international citizens (including those from the EU and EEA) to provide proof of health insurance coverage if they’ll be staying in the country for longer than 90 days.

Once your long-stay residency is in place, it’s likely that you’ll want to keep your private health insurance policy as a supplement.

The SNS doesn’t include dental care or many specialized treatments. Learn more about health insurance options in Spain.

Ready to Embrace Life in Spain?

Spain offers many perks for foreigners and immigrants. It’s an appealing country – from its laidback lifestyle and diverse climate to its strong public transit and education systems.

Expats interested in Spain should learn as much as possible about the pros and cons of living there to avoid culture shock or surprises once they’ve arrived.

Reads about moving to Spain and the best places to live in Spain.