International Moving To and From Spain: Smoothly Navigate the Relocation With the Pros

Because there are so many variables in an international move, simply citing an average cost may not be helpful. When moving to Spain (or from the country) factors affecting costs can include the:

• Size of your house: This impacts the weight and volume of household items that need boxed up and transported
• Mileage of your move: Traveling from the United States to Spain equals about 5,000 miles
• Optimal shipping modes: air, sea/ocean, and by land
• Unique factors of your move

Connect with our international movers when you’re moving to Spain for a clear quote.

After a careful analysis of your particular situation, Suddath will create a customized plan for your overseas shipments—one that’s efficient and cost-effective with the optimal blend of shipping modes: air, water, and land. We’ll manage customs, document requirements, and more, also negotiating the best pricing for your timetable. For more specifics, connect with our international relocation experts.

As long as you meet certain requirements, the answer is “yes.” These include having a clean criminal record and certificate of good health as well as having enough funds. We go into more detail in our Guide to Moving to Spain From the U.S., including information about the type of visa you might need. This resource also shares information about the country’s climate, bordering countries, notable cities, and governmental structure. You can find insights into Spanish culture, food, housing, public transportation, job market, bank accounts, taxes, and more.

If you own a home, then you’ll have costs with selling the home or property management fees if you rent it out. If you store some possessions, there would be storage facility fees.

You’ll have moving company costs associated with packing and transporting your goods and managing your customs and so forth. You’ll also have costs associated with flying or otherwise getting your family (and, if applicable, pets) to Spain plus fees for visas.

Upon arrival, you’ll have housing costs. If renting, there are lease payments and security deposits. If buying, you’ll need a down payment and funds for closing costs—and, whether you’re renting or buying, there can be utility startup costs. If you didn’t transport your vehicle, then you’ll need to buy one in Spain.

Plenty of benefits exist when moving to Spain, including how it’s one of the most affordable places to live in Western Europe. One source from October 2024 shows rent for a three bedroom apartment in Barcelona or Madrid at an average of €1,228 monthly (~$1,400 USD), much less than other Western European capitals. Other costs that are comparatively lower include utilities, groceries, dining out, and public transportation.

Healthcare coverage is nearly universal and largely free outside of certain co-pays and deductibles, being funded by taxes. Likely results of this readily available healthcare include Spain having the longest lifespan expectancy in the European Union with one of the lower rates for avoidable hospitalizations and mortality.

Plus, the Spanish embrace a work-life balance, including shorter summertime hours and more parent-child time, which many in the United States and elsewhere might desire for themselves. This can include a more informal atmosphere at work, including more comfortable dress and an actual lunch break rather than eating sandwiches at the desk. Salaries can be lower in exchange, so be prepared for that possibility.

Using these insights (along with the sheer beauty of Spain), you can decide if moving to Spain will be the right action for your family to take. If you do decide to relocate there, benefit from a seamless relocation by contacting our overseas moving company.

House Anywhere notes how, on average, the cost of living in Spain is a whopping 123 percent cheaper than living in the United States! The largest differentiators are rent prices plus those for utilities, groceries, and daycare—and remember that healthcare is largely free, being funded by tax dollars.

If you’re moving to Spain or from that country, you’ll want an international moving company that has the expertise to provide a smooth relocation experience. (Suddath has more than one hundred years of experience in moving people.) Make sure that they offer services that you need; Suddath provides a full-service move, including customs management, document preparation, and much more. Here are additional reasons to choose Suddath when you’re moving to Spain (or from the country):

• Our experts craft the best shipping plan for your needs.
• We leverage our expertise to negotiate optimal lanes and pricing.
• We never outsource move components to interim third parties, staying at the helm throughout.
• Our advanced technology provides real-time visibility, and we keep your family well informed from start to finish.
• We’ll gladly show you our accreditations and licenses upon request.

Finally, Suddath is a six-time International Mover of the Year Award winner through the FEM Americas Expatriate Management & Mobility Awards (EMMAs). Get your quote!

Suddath can independently verify our success since we’re a six-time winner of the International Mover of the Year Award. Chosen by the world’s premier community (FEM), this honors our moving company’s excellence and innovation and the impact we have on the expatriate community.

Here’s what Walter Myers, Suddath’s President of Moving & Storage, had to say: “This award directly reflects the outstanding efforts of our operations and assignee services team, who consistently deliver exceptional results for our clients’ global household goods moving program. We are extremely proud of our team’s dedication and commitment to excellence and the enthusiastic support of our loyal customers, all of which made this honor possible.”

So, when moving to Spain, we encourage you to connect with us. ¡Larga vida a españa!