Living as an Expat in Spain

Beautiful weather . . . engaging culture . . . flavorful Mediterranean foods . . . laidback lifestyle . . . healthy work-life balance . . . low costs of living . . . longer-than-average lifespan . . .

Whether you’ve already decided to make an international move to Spain or if you’re still considering the relocation, envisioning your lifestyle as expats in Spain can help you to decide.

Our in-depth guide, Guide to Moving to Spain from the U.S., provides plenty of information; here are highlights:

• Geography: Spain is mountainous, the fourth largest European country on the continent, and it’s located in the south. Spain is an important link among Europe, Africa, and the Americas with the country also including several islands.
• Climate: This varies significantly, depending upon the specific region: from moderate and warm to places where you’ll experience more than 100-degree F temperatures in the summer. Some areas are fairly rainy.
• Notable cities and what to expect: Expats in Barcelona, for example, can enjoy incredible beaches, an active nightlife, universities, and so forth. Other notable cities include Madrid, the capital; Malaga, the land of quaint villages bathed in sunshine; and Valencia, which is wonderful for families.
• Government: Spain is a parliamentary monarchy with the king the official yet symbolic head of state. The prime minister and parliament govern the country in democratic ways.
• Culture: Spaniards prioritize dressing well and they emphasize a healthy work-life balance. In big cities, plenty of people speak English and, if you already speak Spanish, it won’t be significantly different from the Castilian Spanish spoken there. Although most expats in Spain are European, increasing numbers are American immigrants.
• Food: Spain is well-known for its culinary dishes with pork/ham often being included along with tortillas, chorizo, empanadas, and more. Are you an adventurous eater? Bull, tails, bull testicles, and baby eels might be on the menu! Grocery store prices and eating out are both less expensive than much of Europe and the United States.
• Public transportation: Options include buses and train systems with railways including long-distance choices and inner-city ones. Expats in Barcelona, Madrid, and other big cities can benefit from well developed, modern public transportation systems.
• Housing: Expats in Spain may find it easier to buy a house rather than renting because of the red tape they may face. Often, if someone buys a property and decides to rent it out, there can be a lucrative return on investment. Expats in Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Malaga, and the Balearic Island may do especially well.
• Job market: Expect to encounter competition in Spain. The unemployment rate is higher than average and expats in Spain are hired only if the Public Employment Service deems a job to be a shortage occupation. Speaking Spanish will give you an edge over people who can’t and, once you have a job offer, you’ll need to get a work visa, which can take up to eight months.
• Visas and work permits: You’ll need to get a short-term visa, valid for ninety days. If planning to stay longer, also apply for a long-term visa. For either, you’ll need to meet certain requirements. Options include the work visa, the self-employment visa, and several others.
• Bank accounts: You can open a non-resident banking account in some of the banks. Then, once you’re a resident, you can appropriately modify the account. You’ll need to convert your funds into euros; exchange rates vary, so shop around.
• Taxes: Expats in Spain will need to file tax returns whether they’re a resident or non-resident. The income tax rate can range from 19 percent to 45 percent, depending on what you earn, so budget properly.
• Healthcare: The Spanish National Health System provides universal healthcare, and it’s free for legal residents employed in Spain. You’ll need to get a healthcare card from the local Social Security office and present it at all medical appointments. If you won’t be employed, you can still get very affordable healthcare; note that prescriptions are only half covered.

For more information, read our entire Guide to Moving to Spain from the U.S.

More About International Moves to Spain

First, as COVID restrictions have eased, it’s become more seamless to enter the country. Effective October 21, 2022, many travelers can get into Spain without showing COVID-related documentation. People who don’t fit into any of these categories must show one of these: proof of vaccination, a negative COVID test within 72 hours, or proof of recovery from COVID.

Also ensure that you have the right documentation, including visas, birth certificates/adoption papers, Social Security cards, passports, marriage licenses, driver’s licenses, car insurance paperwork, medical and dental records, school records, financial documents, and legal documents like wills, powers of attorney, and so forth.

To get a good overview of the process, review our international moving checklist.

Choose Your International Movers

International moving companies help people to transport their household belongings overseas. As you’re shipping your items to Spain, you’ll need to consider your load, container sizes, custom crating choices, and so forth—and Suddath will provide guidance from start to finish. You may end up transporting your belongings through a combination of land, air, and sea.

Once your belongings arrive in Spain, they’ll go through customs. This typically goes smoothly unless you have items that come with customs restrictions. When you choose Suddath as your international moving company, we’ll review custom requirements with you.

We can also share information about moving your pets. At a high level, you must vaccinate and microchip dogs, cats, and ferrets and then obtain their EU passport or Health Certificate and Declaration before entering Spain. This country considers an animal vaccinated twenty-one days after inoculation, so plan enough time. A USDA accredited veterinarian must fill out an Annex II for Spain form, and you may need to prove your pet’s rabies immunity.

As you can see, international moves can come with challenges. Selecting an international moving company with experience and knowledge about the intricate logistics involved, though, can streamline the process for you.

Suddath as Your International Movers

Contact us for a free quote!