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Live in Spain: Advantages, disadvantages & costs
Do you want to establish your residence in a sunny, safe country with excellent gastronomy? We explain what it is like to live in Spain.
Many foreign citizens have considered coming to live in Spain for a period of time or even to establish their permanent residence here.
It’s one of the top destinations for exchange students, digital nomads working remotely, and retirees looking to enjoy their retirement in a country with a warm climate and a lower cost of living compared to other European cities.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through what life in Spain is really like. From education and healthcare to safety, the economy, salaries, and more. Stick around to find out if Spain could be your next home!
Quality of life in Spain
Thinking about living in Spain for a while? Whether you’re a digital nomad taking advantage of Spain’s new visa, a student, or planning an extended stay as a visitor, it’s important to understand how daily life works. In the next sections, we’ll cover the essentials to help you settle in smoothly.
Education
Spain is one of the most popular choices for international students looking to start an academic program. There are several scholarship opportunities available to help make it happen — including Erasmus+, Fundación Carolina, and grants offered by the Ministry of Education and the MAEC.
When it comes to education, Spain stands out for its strong public and private institutions. Some of its universities have earned international recognition, and according to the 2024 QS World University Rankings, these are among the best in the country:
- University of Barcelona (UB) – Ranked 155th worldwide
- Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM) – Ranked 192nd worldwide
- Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona (UAB) – Ranked 178th worldwide
- Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM) – Ranked 226th worldwide
- Universidad de Navarra – Ranked 253rd worldwide
In addition, this country also has several important and prestigious business schools such as IE Business School in Madrid or ESADE in Barcelona.
Security
Spain is widely regarded as one of the safer countries to live in. According to the 2023 Global Peace Index, it ranks 32nd worldwide. And if we zoom in on specific cities, the 2024 Numbeo Safety Index highlights Oviedo, San Sebastián, Pamplona, and Salamanca as some of the safest places in the country.
However, the places with the highest crime rates, especially thefts in crowded areas, are in large cities such as Barcelona, Madrid and Seville.
Economy and wages
Salaries in Spain tend to be lower than in many other European countries. According to a 2022 survey by the National Statistics Institute, the average annual gross salary was $30,642 (€26,949).
Jobs in fields like electricity, gas, and HVAC usually offer the best pay, while roles in hospitality tend to earn much less, averaging about $1,600 a month before taxes.
As a foreigner, these salaries might seem low compared to other European countries, but it’s important to remember that the cost of living in Spain is generally much more affordable than in places like the UK, France, or Germany.
Health system
The Spanish public health system, managed by the Ministry of Health, is free of charge for all legal residents who pay Social Security contributions.
Travelers with European citizenship can apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in their country of origin in order to benefit from free public health care.
For non-EU residents, it’s usually best to get private health insurance. While emergency care is often free, seeing specialists typically requires having a medical plan. For example, the insurer Adeslas offers basic coverage starting at around $51.17 per month.
The best hospitals in Spain, according to recent rankings such as the Monitor de Reputación Sanitaria (MRS) 2023, are the following:
- Hospital Universitario La Paz in Madrid: Outstanding in pediatrics, oncology and cardiology.
- Hospital Clinic de Barcelona: Valued in oncology, transplants and internal medicine.
- Clínica Universidad de Navarra: Private hospital recognized for its oncology treatments.
Accommodation
Housing is one of the toughest issues in Spain right now, prices have risen significantly over the past two years. A 2024 report from the Financial Users Association (Asufin) found that people are spending nearly 44% of their yearly income on rent (well over the recommended limit of 30%).
This percentage varies significantly between autonomous communities, for example, in Murcia it stands at 31.3% and in the Balearic Islands at 70%.
In 2025, Spain’s National Statistics Institute (INE) launched the Housing Rent Update Reference Index (IRAV). This index aims to cap annual rent increases in lease agreements and prevent excessive hikes.
Besides traditional apartment rentals, you can also opt for some of the best coliving spaces, student residences, or even long-term hotel stays in Spain. Here’s a look at the typical costs:
| Type of accommodation | Price |
| 1 bedroom apartment in Madrid | $1,365 |
| Coliving | $910-1,365 |
| Student residence | $682-1,137 |
| Long term hotel | $1,705-2,198 |
Internet connection
Spain boasts some of Europe’s top internet infrastructure, so most households enjoy fast fiber-optic connections. Leading providers like Movistar, Digi, Vodafone, Orange, and MásMóvil offer speeds reaching up to 1GB.
Digital nomads who decide to live in Spain will be able to telecommute with 4G coverage and the current expansion of 5G in major Spanish cities.
If you want reliable coverage across Spain, Holafly Plans is a great choice. And if you travel beyond Spain, there’s no need to swap your eSIM — you get unlimited data and can connect two devices simultaneously for just $67.90 a month.
Important: If you are a frequent traveler and want to stay connected without worrying about expensive roaming or looking for a new SIM at every destination, Holafly’s subscription plans are for you. With a single eSIM, enjoy internet in more than 170 countries for a fixed price and no surprises on your bill. Travel without limits and connect easily and securely! 🚀🌍
5 advantages of living in Spain
So, why choose to live in Spain? Besides all the great things we’ve already mentioned, life here is safe and laid-back, with endless opportunities to stay busy and discover something new. Here’s a closer look:
- Pleasant climate and plenty of sunshine: Thanks to its Mediterranean climate, winters are mild and summers are hot, making it easy to spend time outdoors.
- Gastronomic richness: The Mediterranean diet is considered one of the healthiest in the world. In 2010, UNESCO recognized it as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, thanks to its emphasis on fruits, vegetables, legumes, olive oil, and an active lifestyle.
- Connection with Europe: Spain has excellent connections to the rest of Europe by plane, train, and road, making it easy and affordable to visit nearby destinations.
- Reasonable cost of living: Lower than in other European cities in terms of food, leisure, transport and accommodation.
- Quality of life: Life expectancy in this country is one of the highest in the world due to its excellent quality of life.
5 disadvantages of living in Spain as a foreigner
While living in Spain is a great choice for many, with plenty of benefits that make you feel at home, we also want to share some of the downsides you might encounter.
- Language barrier: In big cities, you’ll usually find people speaking English in shops, but in smaller towns, it’s mostly Spanish or local dialects, which can make communication a bit challenging.
- High unemployment rates: Still higher than in other countries, although this has been improving in recent years.
- Lower salaries: You will notice that salaries are lower than in countries such as Switzerland or Germany.
- Expensive housing in big cities: If you’re planning to live in major Spanish cities like Madrid or Barcelona, expect high rent prices and limited availability due to strong demand.
- Speed in official agencies: Some procedures are long and tedious to manage, having to be done in person, hindering flexibility.
Frequently asked questions about living in Spain
Having a basic grasp of Spanish makes life easier, helps you find work, and allows you to better connect with the culture. That said, in bigger cities, you’ll often find staff who can assist you in English.
Barcelona and Madrid are very active urban centers for professionals, while Alicante or Malaga offer you a quieter environment with lower prices.
It depends on your nationality, but you will need a residence or work visa for long stays.
According to recent studies by Idealista and Fotocasa, some of the most affordable cities to live in Spain are Ciudad Real, Badajoz, Lugo, Teruel, and Orense, where monthly rents can start as low as $455.
If you have a good command of Spanish, finding work in fields like tourism and tech will be easier. But if you’re not fluent yet, you can always consider teaching your native language.
