Spain: An Established Haven For Foreign Investors And Expats AdobeStock/pillerss To say Spain is rich in history, culture, and beautiful scenery is an understatement.The second biggest country in the EU after France, Spain is a beautifully diverse nation, brimming with culture and tradition. Located on the Iberian Peninsula, Spain is bordered by Portugal and France. The rest of the country is surrounded by the Mediterranean, the Cantabrian Sea, and the Atlantic Ocean. The varied surroundings play a part in creating the vibrant mix of cultures we see in Spain today; the rest of this cultural mix is down to Spain’s intriguing history.Spain is made up of several autonomous regions, which have had their own language, culture, traditions, and social structures throughout history.Many of these maintain a strong presence in today’s population, which creates a fascinating cultural mix throughout the country, leaving a lot to be discovered when relocating here. The autonomous regions include Galicia in the northwest, Catalonia in the northeast, Andalusia in the south, and the Basque Country, located on the border between Spain and France.Spain’s diversity goes beyond its culture; it also has several different climates and landscapes, including thousands of kilometers of coastline, beautiful mountains, and an abundance of enchanting towns and cities to explore. Above all, these attractions bring people from all over the world to settle in Spain for its multitude of lifestyle opportunities.
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Living In Spain As An Expat
Spain tops the list of the most popular destinations for relocating, investing, and retiring overseas. Some of the benefits of settling on Spanish soil are low living costs, affordable housing prices and First World infrastructure.Firstly, the incredible diversity combined with the warm temperatures, historic legacy, and friendly citizens make it an ideal alternative for those planning a new adventure overseas.Boasting 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, Spain guarantees a sunshine-filled retirement. Temperatures are generally mild, although significant differences occur depending on the region and the season.The south of Spain is known for its scorching temperatures in July and August, while the north of Spain is notorious for its high levels of rainfall throughout the year.Spanish people are welcoming, and you will find it easy to settle in due to their openness and friendliness to foreigners. Language-wise, the majority speaks Spanish.You’ll find school-age and university students speak some English and are keen to practice. However, older generations don’t so much, unless they work in tourism-related industries, so learning some Spanish before you arrive would be a welcome idea.Don’t worry about perfecting your Spanish, as you will find Spain has a thriving expat community where you can comfortably make friends in your native tongue.
Cost Of Living In Spain
Spain has a reputation worldwide for its cheap living; you can live a luxury lifestyle on your social security check in some parts of Spain.Thanks to world-class infrastructure, excellent health care, and beautiful weather, this leisurely living doesn’t require any compromises.Despite Spain’s low cost of living, taxes are some of the highest in Europe. This is important to note, although day-to-day living is cheap, so it balances out.Groceries and eating out are affordable. In certain parts of Spain when you order a drink at a bar, you are brought a small portion of food for free—olives, chips, maybe a Spanish omelet.This tradition of tapas makes eating out a fun and affordable way to spend an evening.In terms of real estate, the market in Spain is constantly fluctuating. Prices of properties in the bigger cities have exploded in recent years due to the increase in tourism.Meanwhile, explore lesser-known cities such as Valencia, Cádiz, or Santander, and you will be rewarded with much lower property prices.For those wanting to resort to the tranquility of the Spanish countryside, property in rustic areas such as Galicia or Almería cost next to nothing.
Health Care In Spain
In Spain, the health system is held in high regard.The quality of staff, service, and equipment are outstanding. In general, non-EU retirees will not have access to the Spanish health care system and will have to take out private insurance.Plus, if you move to Spain as an employee or are self-employed, the situation is different. You will pay social security contributions, and so you will be issued with a social security number entitling you to health care, sickness, and unemployment benefits, as well as government pensions.For minor problems, take advantage of the excellent farmacias (pharmacies), where highly trained pharmacists will recommend advice and remedies, some of which require prescriptions back home.Here you will find a more detailed insight on health care in Spain and a breakdown of which kind of health insurance policy you may need.
How to Travel to Spain: Flights and Entry Tips
Spain has several international airports scattered across the country, including Barcelona and Madrid, where you can find direct flights from New York daily. However, depending on where your final destination is, you can get a connecting flight to a domestic airport or avail of the national rail service RENFE.Transferring your belongings can be done either by plane, or boat, the latter taking quite a bit longer.Countless companies are available to help you in this process, collecting your belongings at your home in the States, and delivering them to your door on the other side of the world.If you’re looking to stay long-term, check out our full guide on visas and residency information in Spain.
Best Places To Live In Spain
Spain has a unique adventure waiting for anyone who wants to immerse themselves in this cultural hub.You can choose between cities with lively nightlife, beachside resorts with kilometers of unspoiled coastline, and picturesque towns and villages with bustling farmers’ markets. Santander Outside of Spain’s heavy tourist trai is the lesser-known city of Santander. Santander is the capital city of the region of Cantabria and lies on the northern coast of Spain.Built on a series of hills overlooking the Bay of Biscay, this is a mostly modern city with a beautiful seafront comprising several white-sand beaches within easy reach.Santander is the perfect place for retirees, with endless museums and galleries to get your culture fix, a thriving tradition of gastronomy—mostly fresh seafood, and countless beaches to explore. Valencia Another city undiscovered by many people outside of Spain is Valencia, along the Mediterranean coast. With an average daytime temperature of 70°F year-round, Valencia has some perfect weather conditions for an active, healthy, and varied lifestyle.Combined with some of the finest beaches in Southern Europe, and La Calderona mountains in easy reach, this city is the ideal base for an active retirement.Home of Spain’s most famous dish, paella, Valencia has a proud food culture to share with international residents.Barcelona Spain’s second-largest city; Barcelona, is a popular destination for tourists and expats alike.Thousands of expats settle in the capital of Catalonia in Spain’s northeast for its cosmopolitan vibe and energy.People live, work, and shop in most of the city neighborhoods and districts, so each has its own community spirit, making it easier to fit into this big city as a foreigner. The city encompasses lots of parks and charming plazas, scenic beaches, and has easy access to the beautiful Costa Brava to the north and the Costa Dorada to the south.
Why Retire or Move to Spain? 10 Reasons to Consider It in 2025
With the dollar at near-parity with the euro, this could be the best time in our lifetimes to be in Europe.Where, specifically, should you be thinking about living or retiring in Spain or on the Continent?Spain could be your Old World dream come true… especially if budget is a concern. You could live or retire well in this country on a budget of as little as US$1,855 per month.Here are 10 more reasons we say Spain is tops: #1: Affordable Property (Cheaper Than France And Portugal)… Spain is the most popular second-home destination in Europe and home to some 10 million expats. Despite its popularity, the cost of housing remains cheaper than many of its neighbors.In short, Spain and Portugal boast many of the same attractions. So, how do property prices compare between the two?Luis da Silva, our go-to real estate expert in the region, says:“When you compare like with like, real estate in Spain is really much cheaper. Thanks to Portugal’s limited housing stock and prices inflating in recent years, you get a lot more bang for your buck in Spain. And you have a much bigger variety of costas to choose from.”Comparing like with like on the Atlantic coast, we find…A two-bed townhouse in one of my favorite spots in Portugal’s Algarve for US$468,000…Meanwhile, near the town of Cádiz on Spain’s Costa de la Luz, you can buy a similar townhouse at the beach for US$244,750.That’s almost 50% less in Spain. What about prices on the Mediterranean? Portugal doesn’t have a Mediterranean coastline. So, in this case, let’s compare the costs in Spain with those over on the French Riviera… where, right now, you could buy a two-bedroom apartment in Nice, with sea views, for US$555,700.Meantime, on the Costa del Sol, you can buy a similar two-bed apartment, second line to the beach with wide sea views, surrounded by beaches and golf courses, for US$229,875… almost 60% less! #2: Choose Your Lifestyle (Spain Has It)… From cosmopolitan cities and sun-kissed Mediterranean shores to romantic island escapes and mountain villages lost in time… modern Spain has 17 autonomous regions, each with its own personality and customs—and, sometimes, its own dialect.Whichever region you decide to call home, you’ll never be stuck for new cultures to explore.Want a vibrant city, full on Old-World charm, where there’s always something going on? Choose from Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, and many more…Prefer to live by the beach? Again, you have options aplenty… from the wild Atlantic coast to the calm shores of the Mediterranean… and from mainland to island…Looking for a quieter life? Escape to lush Galicia where shepherds still roam the hills… and local bakers deliver their fresh loaves to your door, where you find them waiting for you when you wake. #3: Laid-Back Pace Of Life… If you’re hoping to escape the rat race once and for all, you’ll find Spain refreshing…This is a true work-to-live society with an emphasis on time with family and friends.Siesta culture is still strong. And holidays are many—with each region having colorful festivals throughout the year.In many ways, life in Spain can feel like the America of the 1970s. People get dressed up… no matter how small the occasion. And you’ll often see three or four generations socializing together.Retirees are respected here, too. Ivan, one of our local contacts in Cádiz, told us:“Older people are very respected in Andalucía. They live their lives to the fullest until the very end. They still socialize in the plazas, play dominoes, babysit their grandkids at the beach, and do exercise classes together.“This is especially true about older women from Andalucía. They are my inspiration for how to age with elegance. They still get dressed up, do their hair and makeup, go out with their friends to restaurants and cafés, and so on. And they are sassy!”
Access To Europe
A huge advantage of living in Spain is the chance to explore Portugal, France, and beyond. Whether by road, rail, or air, Spain’s infrastructure allows you to plan your European adventures easily, frequently, and affordably.From Seville, you can be in the Algarve in less than two hours by car… From Barcelona, it’s just over two hours to the French Riviera.Fancy a long weekend in Amsterdam, Vienna, Rome, Prague, or Dublin? Budget airlines like Ryanair and EasyJet offer cheap flights all over Europe, with services close to all major towns.
Where Is Spain Located?
Spain is located in southwestern Europe and borders Portugal to the West and France and Andorra to the North and Northeast. It also has small borders with Gibraltar, Morocco and the Bay of Biscay.The country is a safe place, except for pickpocketing in big cities like Madrid and Barcelona. However, Valencia is different and does not face these issues.Most importantly, it is the fourth largest country in Europe. Spain also has islands such as the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean and the Balearic Islands, as well as other non-inhabited islands, in the Mediterranean Sea.The Spanish landscape is made up of mountains and high plateaus.The highest point in Spain is an active volcano on the Canary Islands called Teide.Check currency conversion at today’s exchange rate.
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