Spain is one of those places people fall for quickly. Sunshine, al fresco meals, walkable cities, fresh food, and a lifestyle that doesn’t revolve around your inbox. But moving to Spain comes with cultural adjustments and navigating some red tape. Here are the things you should know before packing to move to Spain.
Things to Know Before Moving to Spain
Weather
Spain’s climate is often oversold as “warm all year.” That is one of the top reasons why retirees choose to move to Spain. But that’s not entirely true. Although Spain gets little snow, except in its mountainous regions like the Pyrenees and Sierra Nevada, the weather varies by region.
- Northern Spain (Galicia, the Basque Country) gets rain, cooler temperatures, and actual winters.
- Inland cities like Madrid experience extremely hot summers and winters with average temperatures of 43F.
- Coastal cities are mild in winter but very humid in summer.
Understanding Spain’s weather will play a big role in deciding where you want to settle and in your housing decisions. Older Spanish buildings are not designed for heating or air conditioning. They are not well insulated, which means winter indoors can feel colder than expected, and vice versa in the summer.
Housing
Finding long-term housing in Spain might be one of your biggest pain points. While the climate plays a big role in whether you’ll pick comfort over a postcard view, there are other things to consider.
Many find it difficult to secure long-term rental housing due to Spain’s strict tenant screening, partly because of squatting laws and the difficulty of evicting non-paying tenants. In addition, you will be asked to pay three months’ rent upfront, so factor that in as you set up your relocation budget. Another issue is that not all landlords allow you to register under the address of their property for your residency, which is absolutely mandatory for you to do.
Tip: most start with short-term housing, then search for long-term rentals on the ground on their own or with the help of relocation companies or expat advice on Facebook groups.
Language
English is widely spoken in Spain, especially in popular coastal tourist destinations and among the younger generation. But outside entertainment, running errands, and getting settled in can be more challenging when you don’t know Spanish, including tasks like finding housing and lining up appointments.
While you can reach out to a relocation company for assistance, you will eventually need to face this head-on. To help you hit the ground running, start learning the language or brushing up on your knowledge as soon as the idea of moving to Spain is conceived.
Knowing the language will help you integrate and make connections with locals, especially if you choose to base yourself in Northern Spain, where people are more reserved, or in a smaller city where English and expat communities are less common. Also worth noting: some regions have co-official languages, like Catalan in Barcelona. You don’t need to speak them, but being aware of them will eliminate some confusion.
Schools
If you’re moving to Spain with children, school planning needs to happen well in advance. International schools are more flexible, but public schools require local registration and paperwork and have limited availability. It’s important to note that public schools are also generally in Spanish and the co-official language of the region in which the school is located.
Cost of Living
Another popular reason to move to Spain is the strong quality-of-life-to-cost ratio, especially if your income comes from the U.S. Despite higher taxes, your dollar can afford a more comfortable lifestyle compared to the U.S. Overall, rent, groceries, and dining out are more affordable than in the U.S. However, if you’re moving to work locally in Spain, salaries tend to be lower, which can limit disposable income, especially in major cities
Health Care
Spain’s healthcare system is consistently ranked among the best in Europe, and it’s free for citizens and residents. You will be required to register with the healthcare system; however, many choose private healthcare, which is affordable and offers shorter waiting times.
Safety
Spain is generally very safe, with low violent crime rates. Pickpocketing occurs in popular tourist areas like Barcelona and Madrid, but it’s manageable with awareness.
Lifestyle
Upgrading your health without trying too hard is a lifelong dream for many of us, but it can come true in Spain. The country naturally encourages a healthier lifestyle through city infrastructure and planning, where you don’t need a car and instead, walk to get places.
The abundance, affordability, and high quality of fresh produce mean you are nourishing your body well. And since the culture revolves around social meals and strolling, you are not rushed and your food is properly digested. Are you ready to meet a more energized, fulfilled version of yourself in Spain?
Another cultural aspect of mealtimes is that dinners start late. Restaurants don’t open until 8 pm, which many Americans may find hard to adjust to. But while in Rome, do as the Romans do. If you are shaking your head no, eat out less and cook the fresh produce at home yourself. Cringing at the thought? Take some cooking classes.
Speaking of routines, you’ve probably heard of siesta culture. It is a sacred nap-time ritual that affects opening hours, mostly in smaller towns. If you’re used to 24-hour convenience, this takes adjustment.
Visas
Without a long-term visa, you can stay in Spain for only 90 days, after which you have to leave the Schengen Zone for 90 days before returning. This is the perfect amount of time to go on a scouting trip, decide on a city, and narrow down some neighborhoods. Then, when you are back stateside, begin reaching out to the nearest Spanish consulate and collecting the documents you need for a long-term visa. Here are some avenues you could explore.
- Non-lucrative visa: for those with savings or passive income. Working on this visa is not allowed, even remotely. Equivalent to a retirement visa.
- Employment visa: requires company sponsorship.
- Self-employment/Entrepreneur visa: requires business plans and approvals.
- Digital nomad visa: for remote workers or freelancers earning most of their income from outside Spain.
Where to Move to in Spain
There are many wonderful places to move to in Spain. Here are some of the bigger cities that consistently attract newcomers and stay relatively busy year-round, so they don’t desert during low tourist seasons.
- Madrid: Spain’s central capital with excellent infrastructure and connectivity.
- Valencia: the third-largest city in Spain on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.
- Barcelona: historic and artistic capital of the Catalonia region, the perfect combination of big city and coastal living.
- Malaga: a quickly developing yet historic port city in the Andalusia region.
Final Thoughts on Moving to Spain
Moving to Spain from the U.S. is a rewarding change of pace, especially for retirees, but it works best when expectations are realistic, and logistics are handled properly. If Spain sounds like the right fit for you, read our resources on how to plan your relocation abroad.
