Living in Spain

Living in Spain – a dream for many expats. Sunny coasts, a relaxed way of life and a pleasant climate are a huge draw. But what can you really expect when you move to Spain? What challenges and opportunities does everyday life bring? This article provides you with an overview of everything you need to know.

Spain is located in the southwest of Europe and borders Portugal and France, as well as the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. With around 47 million inhabitants, it is one of the largest countries in the EU. The capital Madrid is both the political and economic centre. Other major cities are Barcelona, Valencia, Seville and Málaga. Spain is a parliamentary monarchy with King Felipe VI as head of state and a democratically elected government. The official language is Spanish, but Catalan, Galician or Basque are also spoken in some regions. Economically, Spain is one of the strongest countries in Europe, especially due to tourism, agriculture and industry. The currency is the euro.

Spain’s landscape is extremely diverse and features both high mountain ranges and extensive coastlines. The green hills and mountains of Galicia, Asturias and the Basque Country stretch across the north of the country, characterised by the Atlantic climate with high precipitation. The Pyrenees form a natural border with France and are a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts.

The interior features wide plateaus and arid areas. Central Spain, with cities like Madrid, Salamanca or Valladolid, has hot summers and cold winters. The region of Andalusia in the south, on the other hand, is one of the hottest areas in Europe, with long, dry summers and mild winters.

The Mediterranean coastline – from Catalonia to Valencia to the Costa del Sol – enjoys a Mediterranean climate with warm summers and mild winters. The Balearic Islands, including Mallorca and Ibiza, have similar conditions. The Canary Islands, off the coast of Africa, offer a subtropical climate with pleasantly warm temperatures all year round.

Spain is a country with a rich history and vibrant traditions. Each region has its own cultural peculiarities, which are reflected in festivals, music and customs. Flamenco, traditional folk festivals such as the “Fallas” in Valencia or the “Feria de Abril” in Seville as well as regional celebrations colour Spanish social life.

Much of life in Spain is lived outdoors – in town squares, parks or street cafés. People are often out and about in the evenings in particular, since the daily structure tends to start later than in Germany, for example. Dinner is usually eaten around 9 or 10 p.m., and, in the cities, restaurants and bars are still busy after midnight.

These late eating and leisure habits have an effect on the rhythm of everyday life. The traditional “siesta” – a long lunch break usually between 2 and 5 p.m., during which smaller shops and offices, but also restaurants, close for a few hours – is still observed in many regions of Spain. However, large shopping centres and supermarkets usually stay open throughout the day.

Spain has a modern, well-developed infrastructure. In the cities, public transport is reliable with a dense network, while buses play an important role in smaller towns. In rural areas, connectivity can be limited, so having your own vehicle is often an advantage. For longer distances, Spain has a high-speed train network (AVE) with fast connections between cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Seville. There are also numerous domestic and European air routes: the largest airports are in Madrid, Barcelona and Málaga, but smaller cities also have their own airports.

The road network includes toll motorways (Autopistas) and expressways (Autovías). In Spain, traffic drives on the right, and the speed limits are 50 km/h in built-up areas, 90 km/h outside built-up areas and 120 km/h on motorways. With an EU driving licence you can drive without restriction, but you will have to have your licence converted if you stay in Spain for a longer period of time.

A functioning health care system and a good education system are important factors for many expats when deciding on a new country. 

Spain’s healthcare system, Sistema Nacional de Salud (SNS), is mainly financed by taxes and is available to all residents with social security at a low cost. 

To make full use of the public health system, you have to register with the Social Security Agency (Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social, TGSS). After that, you will register at a healthcare centre, where you will be issued a personal health card (Tarjeta Sanitaria Individual, TSI). You will need this for visits to the doctor and in pharmacies.

In addition to the state system, there are also private health insurance companies, which above all enable faster access to specialists. In rural regions, medical care may be limited and not all doctors speak English or German.

The Spanish education system is regulated by the state and includes public and private schools. Compulsory schooling begins at the age of six and ends at the age of 16.

• Primary School (Educación Primaria): Lasts six years (1st to 6th grade) and includes subjects such as Spanish, mathematics, science, English, and physical education.
• Secondary level I (Educación Secundaria Obligatoria, ESO): Four years (7th to 10th grade). At the end of this stage, students are awarded the Graduado en Educación Secundaria (certificate of secondary education), which is necessary for continuing at school or starting vocational training.
• Upper secondary level (Bachillerato): Two years (11th to 12th grade). Here, students choose an academic major (for example, natural sciences, humanities). Upon successful completion of this stage, students can take the entrance exam for university (Selectividad).

As an alternative, students completing the lower secondary level have the possibility of embarking on vocational training (Formación Profesional, FP), which prepares students for the labour market in a practice-oriented manner.

Where would you like to live in Spain? In a big city like Madrid or Barcelona, on the sunny coast or in a smaller town inland? Rental prices vary greatly depending on the region. Accommodation is often cheaper in rural areas, while rents in the conurbations are high. Housing can be particularly expensive in sought-after coastal regions such as the Costa del Sol or the Balearic Islands.

Rental contracts in Spain are often limited in time, usually for one to five years. The deposit is usually one to two months’ rent. If you want to stay in Spain for the long term, you can also buy a property. 

The cost of living in Spain is often lower than in Germany, but it also depends on the region. Rents in the cities are high, but spending on food, restaurants and leisure is often lower. Fresh produce can be bought cheaply, especially at weekly markets. Outside tourist areas, restaurants are also cheaper than in Germany.