Best 3 Cities to Live in Spain for Expats

From the beautiful weather to the rich culture, not to mention the variety of landscapes and lifestyles on offer, Spain is one of the best places to live for expats.

Regardless of what kind of life you plan on living, the diverse regions in Spain hold an undeniable appeal for everyone.

If you’ve been planning to move to Spain but don’t know what place will suit you best, then you’ve come to the right place.

Let’s take a deeper dive into some of the best places to live in Spain for expats. Stay tuned till the end as we also provide some insight into the factors to consider before moving to Spain.

1. Barcelona

The second largest city in Spain, Barcelona is one of the topmost destinations for expats.

Colorful and vibrant are the two words most commonly used to describe Barcelona.

From mountains to beaches, the city offers expats a vast and varied landscape — a landscape that makes it easy to enjoy multiple fun activities without traveling too far.

The climate and weather are all too perfect any time of the year. Barcelona summers are warm and winters are semi-cold, keeping you comfortable all year long.

While this keeps the city busy, it also helps ensure cultural diversity. From culture and fashion to dining and sports, Barcelona has got it all. The city enjoys the region’s famed 24-hour lifestyle and is a popular weekend vacation destination for Europeans.

Given the large community of expats, the city is perfect if you want to start a business venture or work online.

The city also hosts exciting festivals and celebrations regularly, so there’s always something new for you to look forward to.

Barcelona is also brimming with spectacular architecture that is worth exploring. The city houses marvelous structures such as the Sagrada Família, Park Guell, Casa Batlló, La Pedrera, and more.

So, getting away for the weekend in the city comes with endless options due to its ideal location. Barcelona has a fast-paced lifestyle that’s perfect for expats who love the hustle and bustle and enjoy varied experiences.

Pros

• Pleasant weather all year round
• Wide variety of Mediterranean cuisine
• A diverse landscape
• Large expat community

Cons

• High rent
• Tourists are everywhere
• Slow bureaucratic procedures
• Everything is closed on Sundays
• Low salary
• High taxes

2. Madrid

Spain’s capital and Europe’s sunniest capital city, Madrid has an elegant, timeless aura. It is a favorite spot for expats families who are on short contracts and have a love for nature, culture, and entertainment.

The city is highly urbanized with a great public transport system, offering easy access to all the necessary amenities. But its energetic lifestyle is balanced by the equally calm and private neighborhoods — there’s a reason Madrid is the home of siestas!

If you love cultural attractions and being immersed in art, Madrid’s art museums will be a treat for you. Some popular art museums include the Reina Sofia, Prado, and Thyssen-Bornemisza, but there are many more, and most of them have free entry!

The city is well-suited for parents considering moving to Spain with their children. Madrid is also particularly great for expats looking to move to Spain and looking for employment opportunities.

Taking a day off from the city is also easy, given Madrid’s central location. Just pick a direction and get exploring with your loved ones or by yourself.

Madrid offers expats a slow-paced but urban lifestyle.

Pros

• Great infrastructure
• Relaxed lifestyle
• Plenty of entertainment options
• Best for families or retired expats
• Efficient transport
• Affordable cost of living
• Good weather

Cons

• Low salaries
• Smog
• Slow bureaucracy
• No coastal regions

3. Seville

Seville is a charming, romantic, and cheap destination for expats who wish to retire in a scenic place. It boasts picturesque destinations, flamenco shows, music festivals, and great food!

Beware of the high temperatures though, as Seville can get quite warm. But the warm weather might just be a highlight if you like bicycle rides since Seville is the most bike-friendly city you’ll find in Spain. It even has the perfect terrain to support the activity.

While Seville has its share of bars and restaurants, it is also full of green spaces and beaches for you to escape to.

Seville, like the rest of Spain, is also known for its lively festivals and celebrations. The colorful processions and floats offer a wonderful break from the city’s otherwise tranquil atmosphere.

It has the vibe of a small and cozy Spanish town with a historic charm. And while this makes the city more tranquil, the cultural diversity is also low.

That problem, however, can easily be tackled with some good Spanish-speaking skills.

Pros

• Walkability
• Affordable accommodation
• Slow-paced lifestyle
• Vibrant culture
• Relaxing
• Well-connected train travel

Cons

• Smaller expat communities
• Difficulty in securing jobs

Factors to Consider When Moving to Spain

Choosing the perfect location in Spain is not just about picking the ideal city but also about budgeting. Depending on the part of the country you’re in, the prices can vary significantly.

Here is a general breakdown of the factor you may want to consider before zeroing in on a city to move to.

Cost of Living

Spain has a low cost of living compared to the rest of Western Europe.

A single person living in Spain will typically need between €1,500 and €2,000 per month for living expenses. The total cost of living is higher if you’re moving to Madrid or Barcelona, while Seville is more affordable.

A trip to the grocery store in Spain is affordable and only costs about €200 to €300 per month. You can also sample decent Spanish wines at only €5.

If you plan on getting house help, you can expect an expense of €120 to €150 for 3 hours of help once a week.

Except for the internet, which may cost up to €40 per month, utilities are quite cheap in Spain.

A major advantage of Spain is its walkable cities and public transportation. It reduces the need to shell out more money on owning vehicles and fuel.

The country’s metro system is reliable and well-connected and costs anywhere between €1.50 to €19, with a one-way bus costing €1.50. You can also access monthly passes for €35 to €45.

If you’re a retiree, traveling across Spain may be more economical for you.

Spain’s wonderful cuisine is also hard to resist. Eating out can cost you anywhere between €1.74 and €6.03, depending on the region you’re in and the type of restaurant.

Accommodation and Rent

When looking for accommodation in Spain, you should note that the living spaces are much smaller than those in North America. So be sure that you’re not simply relying on pictures or numbers.

Another issue is the language barrier. If you can speak Spanish, searching for properties in-person will be much easier for you. But for those who don’t know Spanish, an accommodation search might prove to be more difficult.

So, if you’re not comfortable using Spanish yet, one solution is to hire a relocation specialist or property agent for the region you’re settling in. A relocation specialist can help you make appointments, visit showings, review the rental contract, and assist you with other legal and formal processes.

However, make sure you inquire with the agent about any finder’s fee before using their services. And ensure all fees paid to the agent are through the landlord.

If you’re comfortable conversing in Spanish, you might find online resources more useful. Here are some websites to kickstart your search.

• Fotocasa
• Idealista
• Spotahome
• Easypiso

Rent prices may vary depending on the region of Spain, but they are higher in cities like Barcelona and Madrid. The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment across the country can range from €600 to €1250.

Taxes for Expats

Living in Spain for more than 182 days? You’ll be considered a tax resident and will need to submit a tax return.

You must also pay an income tax if you:

• Earn above €22,000 from your annual employment income
• Are self-employed or own a business in Spain
• Have capital gains and savings above €1,600 per year
• Receive rental income above €1,000 per year

While Spain does require you to pay US taxes, you needn’t worry about double taxation. Once you’re done paying your US taxes, you can file your Spanish taxes and pay only the difference in your US and Spain taxes.

Additionally, you may also have to declare any assets abroad exceeding €50,000.

Expats with a house in their native country must also pay a capital gains tax in Spain. Typically, property taxes in Spain are lower than in the US.

Spain has a 0.2-2.5% wealth tax on assets exceeding $700,000 per person. However, this tax isn’t applicable in Madrid or Valencia.

Here are a few tax deductions and allowances to keep in mind if you’re a taxpayer in Spain.

• €8,100 personal allowance for those above 75 years of age
• €6,700 personal allowance for those between 65 and 75 years of age
• €5,550 personal allowance for those under 65 years of age

If you have children under 25 years of age living with you in Spain, you can claim an additional allowance for them. The allowance can vary depending on the child’s age and the total number of children you have.

Healthcare System

The Spanish government provides healthcare services under the Spanish National Health System (SNS) to anyone legally residing in Spain. Healthcare in Spain covers most procedures for free, but surgeries and certain types of prescriptions might have additional costs.

Both public and private healthcare, or a combination, is accessible to expats. If a person is applying for residency, however, they must acquire private health insurance.

Spain’s free healthcare services are available to expats that fulfill the following conditions:

• Are residing in Spain and work in employment or are self-employed and contribute to social security
• Are a child resident in Spain
• Are living in Spain while receiving certain state benefits
• Are pregnant and a resident of Spain
• Are under 26 years of age and studying in Spain
• Are a state pensioner
• Are residing in Spain and have recently divorced or separated from a partner who has social security
• Are staying in Spain temporarily and have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) card

Spain also provides free emergency medical treatment to citizens from certain countries that are visiting Spain for a short period. You can check for the benefits with your local Spanish embassy.

It should be noted that public healthcare means long waiting times in both urgent clinics and specialist appointments. That is why most expats often choose to opt for private or international health insurance. Not only is private insurance affordable, but it also offers more extensive coverage.

The quality of healthcare can differ greatly from one region to another. Some of the more expensive services and top specialists are in cities like Madrid and Barcelona.

Additionally, insurance is typically paid by employers in Spain.

School System

If you’re moving to Spain with kids, then your research may involve more parameters.

Spain has a good school system with public, private, and semi-private schools. The school system comprises four stages, of which compulsory education is only from age 6 to 16.

Here are some crucial factors to know about the school system in Spain:

• Compulsory schooling in public schools in Spain is free. Although, parents might be required to pay for books and other supplies.
• Parents can choose which school to enroll their children in but only within a limited distance from their home.
• You will find both Spanish and international schools in the country.

Like all other factors, the highest number of international schools are in cities like Barcelona and Madrid.

In Summary

Planning your life in a new country can be a daunting task. However, Spain holds more promises than risks, which makes it a country worth looking picturing your future in.

We hope this guide makes it easier for you to prepare for the exciting days you’ll be spending in Spain!