Moving to Spain

There are so many wonderful places to choose from in Spain. With exciting cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Seville and Valencia, and picturesque settings like Toledo, Granada, Santiago de Compostela and Montefrio, there is something for all tastes and age groups. Choosing where is best for you can be a challenge. You’ll need to consider professional obligations, cost of living, safety and childcare, among other things. We’ve highlighted some of the key places you may want to add to your wish list.

Spain has an incredible array of locations suited to families. Where cities can often prove to be complex and challenging when navigating family life, in Spain, it’s the opposite. Valencia is rapidly growing in popularity thanks to its excellent healthcare facilities, range of schools and a lower cost of living than Madrid or Barcelona. Malaga is a city, but not on the scale of the capital, and its strong expat community makes integration easy. Madrid is, of course, a likely destination. A business hub, outstanding international schools and vast green spaces, it offers what some capitals can’t. Many people choose Spain for its coast, and with Stiges, Marbella and Alicante offering a mix of sun, sea and safety, they shouldn’t be missed.

The introduction of the digital nomad visa in Spain has opened doors for remote workers and freelancers to find a scenic, sunny and suitable place to call home. Whilst the requirements for getting the DNV can be challenging, those who are successful can count on numerous places to suit their needs.

Malaga is a rising tech hub, and with over 300 days of sun per year, it could be the ideal location to swap offices for beachside cafés. Madrid and Barcelona offer multiple coworking spaces and combine them with networking opportunities and a lively, diverse lifestyle. Seville, Valencia, Tenerife and Bilbao are also worth considering, especially for the low cost of living they offer.

If moving to Spain is part of your retirement plans, you are spoilt for choice. Naturally, you may want a slower pace of life, or somewhere that allows you to indulge your pastimes without the hubbub of a city or the tourist crowds. There are plenty of options. The Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca may be popular with tourists, but there are a range of peaceful places you can settle in among other expats. The Costa de Azahar often goes under the radar, but it can be a great choice for coastal living with fewer crowds.

Then, of course, you have the cities. Bilbao offers cooler summers, Madrid offers world-class healthcare, and Valencia provides a city atmosphere without the costs and pace of Madrid or Barcelona.

Spain is generally safe. In fact, it consistently ranks as one of the safest countries in Europe, but there are some areas best avoided. El Raval and Cuitat Meridiana in Barcelona are known for higher crime rates, drug use and occasional gang activity. In Madrid, Puente de Vallecas and San Blas have negative reputations and may not be inviting to expats. Seville and Valencia also have neighbourhoods that may not suit expats either. Los Pajaritos is known to be particularly dangerous, and Malvarrosa has a reputation for high crime, low security and drug problems.

Moving to Spain requires obtaining the appropriate visa. Four types of visa are among the most popular. We’ll outline them below.

Citizens of EU/EEA countries do not need a visa to enter Spain, and are free to live, work or study there. However, if the stay exceeds three months, they must apply for the Registro de Ciudadano de la UE with the local authorities.

For those moving from non-EU countries, the requirements differ. Citizens of Schengen countries can stay in Spain for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa. To remain longer, they must apply for an appropriate visa. Citizens of non-Visa-Exempt countries must obtain a visa before entering Spain.

A residency permit is essential for your stay in Spain to remain legal. Regardless of visa type, you’ll need one. You can obtain it once in Spain, but your visa must be applied for in advance through the Spanish consulate in your country. You’ll have thirty days from the moment you arrive to obtain your TIE. Once granted, you can live in Spain for a year; specific visas may allow for longer periods of residency. Simply book an appointment online via the Spanish government portal. Select your area of residence and choose the facility, date and time for an appointment. You’ll then attend, provide the relevant information and be asked to return in 2-6 weeks to collect your card.

Residency can be renewed if you continue to meet the requirements, and after five years, you can apply for permanent residency. You’ll notice another key number on your residency card. This is your Número de Identidad de Extranjero or NIE. This is your personal ID number and is used when opening bank accounts, buying property, paying tax and more.

Opening a bank account in Spain once you have moved there is relatively easy. It’s worth noting that there are different accounts for residents and non-residents.

To open a bank account in Spain, find a suitable branch and provide:

In many cases, you can apply online, but you may need to visit the bank in person. CaixaBank, Santander and BBVA are among the most popular and many branches have English-speaking staff, which may help the process run more smoothly.

Once set up with your account, you’ll be able to make most card payments contactless. There are limits, though. Transactions are capped at €50, and a PIN is required for any spends exceeding that amount. Cash remains the most common way to pay for many things in Spain, though, so it is always wise to carry some Euros or have access to an ATM.

The cost of living in Spain varies greatly by region. As in many European countries, larger cities tend to be more expensive, but overall, life in Spain is seen as relatively affordable. Rent, food and transport are often much cheaper than in France, the UK or Germany, for example.

Spain has seen a steady increase in its minimum wage, with it rising 66% since 2018. This means that currently, many more people are earning at least €1,221 per month in 14 payments. Thanks to collective agreements in many sectors, wages tend to be higher than this, leading to a national average salary closer to €30,000.

With low costs in key spending areas, expats living in Spain see their wages go further than in the UK, USA, Canada and many other European countries.

Using the latest Numbeo data, we’ve highlighted common expenses you’ll find in Spain and compared them to those in one of Europe’s most expensive countries, the UK.

As an expat, you can buy or rent property in Spain, and it can be straightforward. You’ll need to find somewhere that suits your needs and budget. Madrid, whilst appealing and suitable for families, singles and retirees, can be very expensive. Girona and Malaga, on the other hand, offer a slightly slower pace of life at considerably less cost.

Renting a home in Spain as an expat can be simple, but there are a few hurdles you may have to overcome. To reduce the workload, you can appoint an estate agent, which comes with a fee, but also a streamlined process. Alternatively, you can use online property portals to find something that suits your needs and budget.

Once you have found a property, you’ll need to provide:

Contracts are normally for one year, with one month’s rent as a deposit and the first month’s rent charged at the same time.

Tenants are protected in Spain with rent increases capped at 3% and landlords legally obliged to keep the property in good condition. Furthermore, if the landlord fails to provide at least 4 months’ notice, you are entitled to remain in the property for another three years if you wish.

If you prefer to buy a home in Spain, it is quite easy, but caution is advised. A proposal is currently under review in the Spanish parliament that would mean all properties purchased by non-EU citizens have 100% tax added to them. This would mean that anyone buying a home would have to pay the entire property value as tax before any other taxes are applied.

For the time being, things continue as normal, meaning that buying property in Spain remains simple. Use an estate agent to help, and then follow the steps below:

Moving to a new country can be a challenge, and while the Spanish people are welcoming, adjusting to a new culture is often difficult.

The main language in Spain is Spanish, with Basque, Catalan and Galician spoken in some areas. English is widely spoken, but in small towns and rural areas, this may be less prevalent.

Spain has a truly relaxed way of life when compared to many other countries. Where Germany, France and the UK work at pace, in Spain, things are given time and allowed to move at their own speed.

There is a big focus on family life and social time, with work often taking a back seat. This is often reflected in the midday break, or siesta, that you may see in many towns. Shops will close from 2 pm-5 pm, allowing workers to relax, rest or indulge in activities.

Meals are often later in the day. Lunch can start at 2 pm, with dinner often not served until 9 pm or even later.

Spanish people are generally warm and expressive, which can sometimes make conversations feel intense to those not used to it. It is certainly not uncommon for conversations to be punctuated with loud laughter, interruptions and eccentric gestures.

Places can be noisy too. Areas you may have often considered reserved can be where passionate or animated conversation happens. You’ll also find this carries into the nightlife too. Many bars remain busy long into the night when you may have otherwise expected people to have gone home.

A good work-life balance is essential in Spain, but it is different in the UK, USA, Germany, and France. Lunch breaks can often last for three hours, meaning the working day starts at 9 am, breaks for lunch at 2 pm, then restarts at 5 pm, finishing at 8 pm.

Annual leave is typically 22-30 days, not including public holidays. Further leave is granted for parents, with both mothers and fathers given 16 weeks at 100% salary.

Spain is known for its warm weather, but some parts are exceptional for winter sports in the colder months. Overall, you can expect hot, dry summers with mild and wetter winters.

In 2026, the public holidays in Spain are as follows: