Moving to Spain can be a daunting task, but with proper planning and research, it can also be an exciting and rewarding experience. There are a lot of wonderful reasons to move to Spain. Spain is known for its beautiful beaches, delicious food, rich culture, high quality of life, comparably low cost of living, and a great healthcare system, making it a popular destination for expats. There is also a large expat community depending on where you are moving to.
Spain has many different regions, each with its own unique culture and way of life. Before you make your move, research the different regions of Spain to find the best fit for you. Consider factors such as geography, cost of living, job opportunities, and access to healthcare.
As you are exploring a move to Spain you will want to do some research to make sure it is the right move for you and your family. Here are some basic things you should know.
Basic Information about Spain
Located in the Iberian Peninsula, Spain borders Portugal and is surrounded on three sides by water.
Regions of Spain
There are 17 autonomous communities in Spain. While there is a central institution of government for the country, each autonomous community self-governs within the limits set forth within the constitution and their autonomous statutes.
Southern Spain has the largest community of expats by far, with most being from the UK. Some of the most popular areas for expats include:
- Alicante
- Murcia
- Almeria
- Malaga
Some popular cities amongst American expats include Madrid and Barcelona.
You can read more about the different regions of Spain here.
Familiarize yourself with the Culture
Get familiar with the culture: Spain has a rich culture that is different from what you may be used to. Take the time to learn about the customs, traditions, and etiquette of the country to make your transition as smooth as possible. Each region also has it’s own food, festivities and holidays they celebrate, but there are some things you will find are pretty consistent across the country.
I recommend you dive a little into Spanish culture and really immerse yourself when you move. Even as a Spaniard myself, having grown up and lived in the United States my entire previous life, it can be quite a culture shock.
You can read more about Spanish Culture here.
Learn the Language
Spain has 4 main languages: Spanish (Castillian), Catalan, Galician, and Basque. Spanish is spoken throughout the entire country. Catalan is spoken in Catalunya, Valencia, and the Balearic Islands, Galician is spoken in Galicia, and Basque is spoken in the Basque Country (Pais Vasco).
While some English is spoken in the bigger cities by younger generations and expats, the overall proficiency. Knowing at least some Spanish will make your transition to life in Spain much easier. Take a course, practice with a tutor, or try to find a language exchange partner to help you learn the language. At the very least you will want to learn some basic Spanish phrases to get by when you first visit or move.
Weather
The climate can be extremely varied. The northern coastal regions are cool and humid with an average annual temperature of 14 C (57 F). The Central Plateau can get quite cold in the winter and very hot in the summer. Madrid has a Winter average of 8 C (46 F) and a Summer average of 23 C (73 F). In Andalucia and Levante, you will find more temperate weather, but summers can get quite hot sometimes reaching above 40 C (104 F in the shade.
The northern coastal regions have an average annual rainfall of 99 cm (39 in); the southern coastal belt has 41–79 cm (16–31 in); and the interior central plain averages no more than 50 cm (20 in) annually.
As you can see, the weather will vary greatly across the different regions. Weather should be one of the factors you consider as you are researching a potential move.
Read more about Spain’s climate here.
Government & Politics
Having a basic understanding of the Spanish governmental system and it’s political parties will help you decide how the move can impact you in terms of financial support, tax reductions, access to healthcare, and more.
Make a list of things that are important to you in a city/area to live in.
- Climate
- Work Opportunities
- Schools/Studying
- Cost of Living
- Lifestyle Choices
Prepare a Budget
It’s important you know what you can realistically spend each month when you move abroad. Websites like Numbeo let you explore cost of living in different areas across the world to get an idea of what you will need.
Spanish Residency Options
Once you have settled on wanting to move to Spain, identified whether you can afford it, you will need to look at what your options are for becoming a resident.
If you are a EU/EEA Citizen, you have the freedom to move and live anywhere within the Schengen area which makes this significantly easier.
Foreigners and non-citizens of the European Union will need to have a valid passport and pursue a spanish visa to move to Spain. You may also need to obtain a work permit if you plan on working in Spain. However there are several options for non-Europeans. Make sure to start the visa application process well in advance of your move.
- Student Visa
- Job Search Visa
- Work Visa
- Family Reunification Visa
- Non-lucrative Visa
- Golden Visa
- Self-employment Visa
- Digital Nomad Visa (New!)
You can find more information on your visa options here.
Finding Housing
Once you have a better idea of where you want to live in Spain, start looking for a place to call home. There are many housing options available, including apartments, houses, and villas. I always recommend you rent for the first year to really make sure you like the location you have picked. Sometimes we move to an area thinking it is what we want, but only seeing it in certain times of year and how busy it gets in high season. Are you too far from town and want something more walkable?
Start looking 3-6 months in advance. Depending on the time of year you plan to move and the area’s seasonality, it may be difficult to find affordable housing as certain areas and times of year will have an impact on the availability.
- Explore different neighborhoods within the city/town you’ve selected.
- Be prepared to pay a deposit and the first month’s rent in advance.
- Make sure you have a written lease agreement. Check to make sure your lease agreement includes utilities, if not, you will need to also get these setup for yourself.
Once you are solid and ready to purchase a house or property, check out our article on buying a house in Spain.
Translate and legalize documents before you arrive to Spain
Before you leave your home country, you will need to get several documents translated into Spanish and apostilled. These can be difficult and time consuming to do once you’ve moved so make sure you get this done well in advance. These documents should include:
- Birth certificates
- Marriage Certificate
- Divorce Decree
- University Degree
Moving your belongings
You will need to decide if you will move your belongings, vehicles, furniture and other household goods. If you plan to bring any of your belongings, you will want to get some quotes from international moving companies. However it may make more sense for you to purchase new items when you move to Spain instead. Items such as electronics will not work in Spain or may need converters to operate. Leave the tv and coffee makers behind, you can find those items in Spain much cheaper than the cost of transporting them.
Furniture is also tricky. Bed and mattress sizes in Spain vary from US sizing. Bedding will be hard to buy to fit your United States Mattress. Room sizes in Spain are also likely to be smaller that what you may be used to and your large oversized furniture may not fit.
You are better off selling or donating these items and buying new ones once you move.
Transporting a Vehicle
f you plan to take your vehicle to Spain, it’s important you understand the costs and hoops you will need to jump through. Aside from shipping costs, you may be subject to import taxes of up to 21%. You must also own the vehicle outright (no loan) for a period of time prior to moving it to Spain. You must also convert it to European standards once it arrives and it must pass an “ITV” vehicle inspection. Finding someone to work on your vehicle may also be difficult as will finding parts for it. We are choosing to sell our vehicle before we leave and buy one in Spain.
Avoid taking it unless you are uber attached to it or it has high value attached to it.
Explore Healthcare Options
If you are pursuing a visa to move to Spain, most require you secure private health insurance for your first year. Don’t be alarmed, it is likely a lot less expensive than what you probably are paying now for the year than you might think. There are several private health insurance providers for expats:
Pet Relocation
If you are moving with pets, you will need to work this into your plan and decide if you will secure a pet relocation service, fly a private charter, or place your pet(s) in cargo. If you plan to place your pets in cargo, there will be times of the year where this will not be an option due to high temperatures. Learn more about moving abroad with pets here.
Banking in Spain
Once you arrive in Spain, you will want to open a Spanish Bank Account.
For this you will need an NIE number. To transfer funds from your foreign bank accounts you can use a service such as Wise or Revolut. These services allow you to transfer funds from and to any account at very good rates.
Register with the Local Authorities
Once you arrive in Spain, you will need to register with the local authorities. This will allow you to get a Spanish ID card, which you will need to open a bank account and access healthcare services.
Driving in Spain
Not every country has a drivers license exchange program with Spain. If you are moving from the United States like we are, you will have to go through the process of getting a drivers license as a new driver.
You can drive in Spain for the first 6 months of your residency using an international driving permit. You can get one at your local AAA office.
Once you arrive in Spain, you will need to find a driving school, take the written exam and then pass the driving test. One thing to keep in mind is that most vehicles in Spain are manual. If you don’t know how to drive a stick shift, signing up for a few driving lessons will be helpful.
Make new friends
Making friends in a new country can be difficult, but it’s important to have a support system in place. Join a club, volunteer, or attend local events to meet new people.
Moving to Spain can be a big step, but with proper planning and research, it can be a wonderful experience. Enjoy all the beautiful beaches, delicious food, and rich culture that Spain has to offer!
