Living in Spain: a comprehensive guide

Living in Spain: a comprehensive guide

From the passionate guitar sounds in Andalusia and the cosmopolitan vibes of Madrid to Gaudí’s unique architecture in Catalonia, Spain is a diverse and beautiful country to call home.

Whether you have recently moved or you’re planning to relocate to Spain, here are some essentials about life in Spain, its vibrant culture and attractive lifestyle.

Weather and climate

With around 3,000 hours of sunshine every year, Spain is well known for its fantastic weather. Expats are sure to adore the long, warm evenings – perfect for night-time strolls and relaxing on the terrace.

Still, it’s important to note that the climate varies throughout Spain. It’s a large country with all different kinds of landscapes, from mountain ranges to sandy beaches.

Locations in the country’s southern regions, such as Costa Del Sol, enjoy warmer weather and milder winters than those in the north. Northern Spain gets more rainfall, which explains why the picturesque rolling hills of the north are so green.

Central Spain, on the other hand, has a continental climate. Summers are extremely hot, and winter is cold with little to no precipitation. For example, Madrid, Spain’s capital, is located in the centre of the country and experiences highs of 33°C (91°F) in the summer months and lows of 1°C (34°F) in winter.

Language and dialects

Although Spanish is the national language, Spain has four officially recognized languages: Spanish (Castilian), Catalan, Galician and Basque (Euskara). 

Catalan is spoken primarily in the Spanish regions of Catalonia and Valencia (where it is a dialect of Catalan known as Valencian), but also the Balearic Islands, Pyrenees region of France and parts of the Italian island of Sardinia. It’s the national language of Andorra, too. Approximately eight to nine million people speak Catalan in Spain, while Barcelona is the largest Catalan-speaking city. Catalan is sometimes considered more similar to Italian than to Spanish, and, when written, it resembles a cross between Spanish and French.

Galician shares many similarities to Portuguese and is spoken by around four million people, mostly in Galicia, an autonomous region in Spain. Galician is also spoken in neighbouring regions in Portugal, notably Trás-os-Montes.

Basque, also known as Euskara or Euskera, is unique in that it doesn’t fit in the Indo-European family of languages like Spanish, French, English and other Romance and Germanic languages. Consequently, there are many competing theories about its true origins. Basque is spoken by approximately 900,000 people as a first language and most commonly in the Basque Country, which comprises the province of Guipúzcoa, parts of Vizcaya (Biscay) and Navarra (Navarre), and a corner of Álava.

So, Spanish is far from being the only language in Spain. While it’s true that people are often bilingual, speaking Spanish in addition to their dialect, you should still research your chosen location to find out what languages are spoken there.

While many people in Spain speak English, especially in major cities thanks to the UK tourism market, you will need to learn the local language if you plan to live there long term. While learning the language can be time-consuming, it is rewarding and will help you integrate, communicate and feel truly at home.

Education

School is compulsory for children aged six to 16 in Spain. Pre-school is seen as essential preparation for school and social integration, so the provision of early education is available to children aged three to five. Attending public school is free in Spain, while semi-private, private and international schools require tuition fees – costs that vary by institution.

To enrol your children in school, you will usually need the following documents: 

• Child’s ID
• Proof of residence
• A medical certificate
• Parents’ ID
• Parents’ Número de Identidad de Extranjero (NIE).

The NIE is an identification number assigned to you as a foreign national – it’s an all-purpose ID and tax number in Spain.

School hours in Spain depend on the institution. Some schools run from 9:00 to 17:00, with a two-hour lunch break, while others run from 9:00 to 14:00.

Private schools often operate differently from public schools in terms of school hours, syllabi and school breaks. There are many different types of private schools in Spain, including bilingual English-Spanish schools, Catholic schools, Bachillerato schools (post-16 education) and foreign language schools.

Many expats from English-speaking countries opt for international schools, most of which use English as the primary teaching language and can be found in Spain’s major cities.

International school fees tend to be more expensive than other private schools, although overall tuition fees for international schools in major Spanish cities are similar to those found in other popular cities around the world.

The country’s overall education system is high-quality, which is why there is no right or wrong answer in terms of whether to choose a public, private or international school.

In fact, according to the European Commission, “Spain is a world leader in academic excellence, innovation, technology and knowledge transfer”. Spain also ranks 12th out of 50 countries in the QS Higher Education System Strength Rankings. The rankings consider four different criteria including system strength, access, flagship institution and economic context. 

Driving

The legal driving age in Spain is 18. If you already have a valid driver’s licence from another country, but you’re under the age of 18, you will not be allowed to drive in Spain.

• If you have a driver’s licence and you’re an EU (European Union) national, your driver’s licence will be valid for the first two years of residency in Spain or as long as it’s valid, if shorter.
• If you have a European driver’s licence but you’re not an EU national (including UK citizens), your driver’s licence may only be valid for the first six months of residency in Spain.  
• If you do not have a European licence, you can apply for an international driving permit (IDP), which typically lasts 12 months. 

After the initial period using your EU licence or IDP, you will need a Spanish driving permit, which you can get at any Provincial Traffic Department. Your previous licence will no longer be valid and must be exchanged for your new Spanish one. Alternatively, you can pass a full practical driving test to earn a Spanish licence. 

To find out which conditions apply to you, visit the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) website or contact your embassy.

When you are ready to exchange your existing licence for a Spanish one, you will need to make an appointment, or cita previa, well in advance – waiting times for an appointment with the Provincial Traffic Department can take up to 18 months in some autonomous regions.

You will need to provide the following documents:

• Official application form for EU/EEA citizens
• Form of ID (passport, NIE or other ID)
• Certificate of registration in the foreigners registry
• Valid national driver’s licence (the original and a copy)
• Number of proof of payment
• Two recent photographs
• Declaration that you have not been banned or suspended from driving.

Whether you’re from the EU or not, if you don’t have a driving licence you will have to take a driving test in Spain, pass a theoretical exam and a practical exam. Driving tests in Spain are regulated by the DGT.

Registering at an official driving school, or autoescuela, should make the process of applying for a driver’s licence much easier because they will often help prepare you for your written and practical exam as well as register you with the relevant authorities and help you get a health certificate.

Culture and community

Spain is home to an array of cultures with regional dialects and a strong sense of identity. The country is home to 17 autonomous regions and two autonomous cities: Ceuta and Melilla.

Autonomous regions have control over their affairs and have the freedom to make independent decisions without external oversight. Because of this, each region has a personality and characteristics expressed in local architecture, cuisine, traditions, customs and fiestas.

This speaks to the variety of cultures that influenced the creation of modern Spain. It is also a good reminder that history rarely draws a neat line under the past. Take the 2017 referendum on Catalonian independence, for example, and the open wounds that remain from Spain’s civil war.

Spain is also home to many foreign-born individuals from all over the globe. The country is home to more than five million foreign residents out of a total population of 47.4 million – that’s 11.3%. Most of the country’s immigrant population comes from Morocco, Romania, the UK, Italy and Colombia, as well as China, Venezuela, Germany, Ecuador and Bulgaria – further emphasising the country’s diverse nature.

In terms of community, the Spanish are known for their warm, welcoming and friendly character, which makes being an expat much more comforting. You will discover that family and community is an integral part of Spanish culture, and it’s not unusual to see four (even five) generations of the same family around a lunch table.

Children are actively welcome in restaurants and cafés, and since this isn’t an early-to-bed culture, you’ll soon get used to seeing them scampering around well into the evening.

Religion

Catholicism influences most aspects of daily life in Spain, from street names and local celebrations to city monuments and even the opening hours of shops (many are still closed on Sundays). When visiting a place of worship or a religious institution in Spain, you can show respect by appropriately covering your shoulders and knees.

There are minority religions practised in Spain including Islam, Judaism, Protestantism and Hinduism.

Lifestyle

No matter your reasons for moving to Spain, there are a few things you should know about the Spanish lifestyle. Life is very much lived outdoors in Spain, which is no surprise given the country’s warm weather and idyllic landscapes. People in Spain are also accustomed to a slower, more relaxed pace, which can be rewarding for those seeking to settle in serenity.

It can take a while to adjust to the slower pace of life in Spain. Things don’t happen in a hurry, and that inevitably has downsides. Still, it’s one of the reasons Spain ranks high (3rd in 2021) HSBC’s quality of life league table.

A laidback lifestyle doesn’t mean a quiet lifestyle. If you’re looking for excitement, Spain accommodates it all with everything from fabulous fiestas to buzzing bars.

Spain is also well known across the globe for its delicious cuisine – another benefit of calling the country your home. While every city or region boasts exclusive delicacies, one of the most common and adored foods found all over Spain is tapas. This finger food is perfect for any time of day and extremely popular among locals, tourists and expats alike. Let’s not forget about that beloved Valencian speciality, paella. Usually made from beans, vegetables, spices, fish, and shellfish, it sometimes features pork, rabbit, snails or chicken instead of fish.

One thing you’ll come to realise when living abroad in Spain is how busy life gets during peak tourism season. While tourism is one of the country’s main industries, the influx of tourists each year can be frustrating for residents. The beaches become packed, your local eatery is always busy, and there are always people everywhere – little things like this can be quite annoying at times.

Additionally, the Spanish often take time in mid August to go on holiday. That’s when things really slow down, with most people obligated to take some of their annual vacation in August. Some companies even shut down for the entire month. It is commonly known as the Great European Summer Shutdown. So, if you have anything important to do, make sure you get it done before August rolls around.

On the whole, expats seeking to build a new life and enjoy a colourful lifestyle are well placed to find what they are looking for in Spain. 

Cost of living

The cost of living in Spain is generally much cheaper than in other European countries, especially when you’re comparing major cities. For example, consumer prices are 43% higher in Paris than in Madrid. Similarly, consumer prices in London are 46% higher than in Madrid.

After the long downturn following the 2008 crash, still referred to in Spain as ‘the crisis’, things are looking up for the country. Still, property prices and rent remain low compared to many other European countries. The average per square metre price for accommodation €4,978 compared to €21,179 in the UK and €12,796 in France. 

Although rents are on an upward trend, particularly in high-demand areas, expats can expect lower rates than in northern Europe. For example, rent prices in Paris are 61% higher than in Madrid, while they are 54% higher in Munich.

One outgoing that you may need to consider if you’re not eligible for Spain’s national health care is medical expenses. Spain’s national health care system (el Sistema Nacional de Salud) is funded by social security contributions (income tax), known as Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social (TGSS ). Therefore, state health care is free at the point of use for anyone living and working in Spain. As an expat, you will only be entitled to it if you are a resident of the country and making social security contributions.

So, if you are not eligible for state health care in Spain, consider investing in international health insurance to avoid costly fees, should you need to seek medical treatment.

With an overall lower cost of living than other European countries, Spain offers a higher quality of life for less, and many expats find it easier to save money.

Career opportunities

One of the top industries in Spain is tourism. It accounts for approximately 11% of the nation’s annual GDP (gross domestic product). Other key industries include manufacturing, agriculture and energy. If you have skills in these sectors, you’ll enjoy a greater chance of securing a desirable job. 

Teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) is another potential employment option to help you establish a firm footing in Spain – but there is a lot of competition. Those who hold TEFL qualifications are much more likely to find reasonably paid work either with an employer or as a private tutor.

As the country is so diverse with its many autonomous regions, the economic landscape varies from place to place. For example, Madrid’s key sectors include information technology, aerospace, clean energy, logistics and life sciences (Madrid is home to 80% of the world's largest biomedical and pharmaceutical companies). Catalonia boasts automotive, chemical, life science and food industries, while Andalusia is home to the aerospace, metal, chemical and agricultural sectors. Where you choose to live in Spain may influence the next step you take in your career.

The economic crisis in 2008 severely impacted Spain’s unemployment levels. However, the economy has slowly recovered over time. In the first quarter of 2020, for example, the unemployment rate was 13.78%, a significant decrease from previous periods. Unfortunately, the economic impact of the global pandemic meant unemployment levels rose to 15.98% in the first quarter of 2021 but dropped to 15.26% in the second quarter of 2021.

Spain is not alone in this. Countries across the globe, including many neighbouring European countries, have struggled economically and financially during the pandemic. While finding a decent job during this time may be tricky, there are still jobs available. To stand a better chance of finding a job, you may need to secure a position before you relocate.

If you want to learn more about the country’s working environment, read our guides: Spanish ways of working and Spanish business etiquette. Alternatively, for even more information about relocating to Spain, view our full expat guide to Spain.

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