After 3 years of living here, it’s time I reveal my personal pros and cons of moving to Spain. As a sunny, relaxed paradise for many, this country—like any—certainly has its ups and downs. So before you decide to make the move, here are the pros and cons of living in Spain.
Note: I am mostly referring to my experience living in Barcelona. So, if you’re interested in living in a village or small town, the advantages/disadvantages of Spain may be slightly different.
Pros of living in Spain
Lower cost of living
Spain is mainly cheaper compared to the UK, US, and even nearby France.
Here ares some examples:
- You can enjoy a specialty coffee for €2 (less in typical Spanish cafes).
- In Barcelona or Madrid, you can expect to pay €300-€600 for a good room in a shared flat. Smaller cities like Alicante or Seville will be less.
- Beer and wine is a lot cheaper compared to UK and US prices. You can get a decent bottle of wine from a shop for under €2. If you spend €4 or more on a bottle, your friends will probably sarcastically say, “Oh, what’s the occasion!” 😉
- Dinner at an inexpensive restaurant will probably cost around €10-€15.
- Monthly “pay as you go” phone plans typically range from €10-€25.
I find that I can live comfortably here on my freelance wages without having to worry too much about keeping to a strict budget.
Full of beautiful landscapes to explore
If exploring the great outdoors is your thing, you’ll enjoy living in Spain. It’s a big country and there’s plenty to see. From the gorgeous cliffs and turquoise Mediterranean sea of Costa Brava to the Pyrennes Mountains to the lush, rugged landscapes of Galicia, there’s plenty to discover here.
Popular place for expats to live
There are tons of expats living in Spain, so you’re sure to quickly make friends. Many flock to Barcelona or Madrid, but plenty also relocate to Spanish islands and even small towns. It just depends on your style, but if you’re looking to befriend fellow expats, they’re probably not too far out of reach.
Plus, a lot of families buy property here to have summer houses or an ideal holiday spot. So, if that something that interests you, it’s certainly achievable.
Curious about my thoughts on other destinations? Check out my map on Humbo!
Quality healthcare system
Another pro of living in Spain is that anyone living in the country is entitled to healthcare coverage. Basic and preventive care is actually guaranteed in the Spanish constitution.
Though general healthcare is guaranteed to those living in Spain, many also opt to have additional coverage and to find doctors that speak their language. Private healthcare is actually very affordable. I pay only €20 a month for full coverage (excluding dental care).
You can learn more about the Spanish healthcare system here.
Pet-friendly country
If you have a cat or dog, you’ll find living in Spain quite relaxing for you and your pets–especially dogs. Many restaurants allow dogs inside and if not there’s almost always terrace seating where they’ll be welcome.
Plus, if you need to pop into a shop, many have hooks to secure your dog while you go in to buy your items.
Learn more about Spain’s requirements for moving with pets.
Cons of living in Spain
Inefficient Bureaucracy
There’s nothing more chaotic and tiresome than trying to establish your legality in Spain. With Spain’s relaxed pace, you’ll spend hours hopping around your city, paying fees at the bank, waiting in seemingly endless queues, only to learn you didn’t do everything correctly. It’s almost impossible to find available appointments in major cities, so that’s where the queuing comes into play. Plus, websites and the government employees will tell you different things and it simply just seems to be luck of the draw as to whether or not your documents are correct and accepted, so it might take a couple of tries and visits to several offices.
Here’s some more information on Spain’s bureaucracy.
Difficult to keep your flat a comfortable temperature
It’s either too hot or too cold. It’s hardly ever just right, unless you have AC, of course! If—like most of us—you do not have AC, during the winter months most flats are quite cold, making you rely on layers, slippers, and space heaters for warmth.
On the other hand, in summer it’s simply too hot. It’s difficult to sleep and you’ll find that your flat feels quite muggy and you’ll be refrigerating a lot more items (even your face products) to keep them from going bad too soon.
Thinking about moving to Barcelona? See my pros and cons of living in Barcelona here.
The overtourism problem
Overtourism (overcroweded destinations) is a real problem here. Locals march against major corporations like Airbnb and hang signs like “Barcelona is not a theme park” to demand change. Nothing ever changes. Well, until coronavirus that is.
Beaches are overcrowded with locals and tourists during the summer months, there are numerous long queues for attractions, and the streets are crowded with groups of tourists on walking tours, holding up selfie sticks, and snapping Instagram photos.
Customer service
It can take time to get used to the customer service. You’ll find yourself waiting much longer to get served in Spain. A server or bartender is likely to prioritize talking to a friend or coworker before serving you. It’s just the way it is unless you go to a really high class restaurant.
They’re also less willing to accommodate you. For example, in the US you can ask a bartender to make you just about any drink and they’re willing to find a way to whip it up for you. However, that’s not the case in Spain. Once at a nice enough bar, I asked the bartender if she could make a Dirty Martini. I explained what it was and she flat out said “No. It’s not on the menu.” However, the bar had gin/vodka and olive juice, so it was entirely possible and would have been extremely easy for her to make.
It’s not just in bars and restaurants; you’ll experience this when speaking with customer service agents, travel agencies, etc.
The language barrier
If you’re moving to Spain, it’s 100% advised that you learn Spanish. If you don’t, you’ll find it more difficult to feel accepted and at home here. Plus, if you’re not living in a city like Barcelona or Madrid, most locals probably won’t know English well enough so you’ll really need to learn Spanish to do day-to-day tasks and when dealing with the amazing Spanish bureaucracy I mentioned. This isn’t to say all the locals in major cities speak English; many still do not.
If you don’t learn Spanish, you’ll likely fork over money to hire a translator to come to appointments with you.
Other things to consider…
Weighing the pros and cons of living in Spain, some things that are a pro for one person might be a con for another.
The weather in Spain can be seen as both a pro or a con, depending on your preference. For me, the heat is a major con and it’s one of the reasons I am moving away. Plenty of others, however, crave the heat.
Other things to keep in mind: Many shops close during the middle of the day from roughly 2 p.m. until 4:30 or 5 p.m. Most banks close at 2 p.m. Dinners are also much later here, usually starting around 9 p.m. or later.
For most, these are things you can adjust to and that’s why they’re not necessarily pros or cons of living in Spain. Just things to consider 🙂
