So, you’re thinking of moving to Spain? If you are, and you’ve done some research, you would’ve learned that Spain offers outstanding quality of life, a laid-back lifestyle, excellent weather, great Mediterranean cuisine, and more. It’s no wonder expats around the world are flocking to Spain.

Once you’ve decided to move to Spain, you’ll need to answer another question. That is: Where in Spain should you stay? Here, Spain offers something for everyone, and you’ll have several options that each offer something unique.

To make the decision a bit easier, let’s look at  what are the best 7 places to live in Spain.

Living in Spain

Before looking at the 7 best places to live in Spain, let’s first recap why you would want to live in Spain. Fortunately, this is a relatively easy to question to answer, as there is a wealth of reasons why you would want to live in Spain, of which these are the most obvious:

• Quality of living. Arguably, one of the major reasons to live in Spain is the quality of life you’ll have. In fact, Spain ranks high based on various indices when it comes to quality of living, and it performs above average in work-life balance, health, social connections, and safety. It has mostly warm and sunny weather, it’s politically stable, and it’s safe. In fact, Spain ranks in the top 30 safest countries in the world. This means you get to enjoy the great outdoors with peace of mind. In addition, Spain has modern infrastructure, good roads, first-class public transport, and an excellent free basic healthcare system.
• People. Overall, Spanish people are warm and welcoming, and they emphasize building relationships with others. It’s no wonder the Spanish regard social life as more important than work or rest, and always aim to live life to the fullest and appreciate those around them. So, when living in Spain as an expat, the Spanish people will always make you feel at home. In turn, if you integrate with the local population, you’ll have no trouble fitting in, and you’ll have a great social life.
• Places to see. Another reason to live in Spain is that you’ll always have something to see. Simply put, Spain has something to offer for everyone, no matter what your preferences. As such, it has big, bustling cities, exquisite coastlines and beaches on the Mediterranean, mediaeval castles, cathedrals, architecture, museums, and more.

Cost of Living in Spain

We’ve now looked at why you would want to live in Spain. Let’s now look at how much it costs to live in Spain. As is the case with the question why you want to stay in Spain, this is also an easy question to answer, as the cost of living in Spain is one of the lowest in Western Europe.

For example, a lunch will cost you about $12 to $20 dollars, with $15 being the average. A local beer costs about $2, and a drink with a few tapas costs about $8. So, once you know where to eat, you might pay only about $30 for a hearty meal and a beer.

When it comes to groceries, it becomes a bit more challenging to provide a definite amount, as it depends on where you shop and what you buy. Generally, you can budget for an amount of $100 per week for groceries for a couple. While this might sound low, you should keep in mind that Spain produces many of its own fruits and vegetables and meats and fish are good value.

Depending on where you stay, accommodation can be expensive, though. For instance, rent in the large cities like Madrid and Barcelona can be somewhat expensive, while living farther away from these cities can be more affordable. And with Spain’s excellent public transport system, you won’t need a car, which brings about another saving.

Best 7 Places to Live in Spain

We’ve now seen why you would consider living in Spain and how much it costs to live there. So, it’s time we look at the best places to live in Spain.

Barcelona

First up, Barcelona aims to please, no matter if you love the hustle and bustle of the big city or the tranquillity of the ocean. It also offers excellent weather, is very safe, and has a very active expat community. It’s no wonder Barcelona is ranked one of the top 30 cities for expats. In fact, there are over 330,000 expats staying in Barcelona.

There are some things to remember about Barcelona, though. For one, it’s a very popular tourist destination and attracts millions of tourists from around the globe. This could make it somewhat busy and not the best option if you’re after peace and quiet. Also, Barcelona is one of the most expensive cities in Spain, which means you’ll pay a lot on rent when you want to stay here.

Seville

Seville is the official capital of Andalusia and, despite being the fourth major city in Spain, it still offers a small-town feel. This makes it an excellent option if you don’t like the hustle and bustle of the big city. This also has another benefit, however. Seville is also one of the cheapest places to live in Spain and rent can, in some cases, be 70% lower compared to London.

But being a major city also means that Seville has an airport, train stations, other transportation options, universities, schools, bars, restaurants, and more. The problem is, however, like some other cities on this list, Seville doesn’t have a beach. For some, this could be a drawback while for others, it might not be a problem.

Madrid

Thousands of expats move to Madrid, Spain’s capital, every year. It’s ranked as the third-sunniest city in Europe, is also very safe, and offers many amenities. But it goes further than this, though. It also offers a key role in the European economy and, as such, is the perfect place if you’re after job opportunities. Everything considered, there are many reasons why Madrid is ranked as the tenth-best expat city in the world.

Like Barcelona, there are some disadvantages to Madrid too. While still more affordable than many other European cities, it’s one of the more expensive cities in Spain. Also, because it’s so popular, it can become quite crowded and its weather might not be for you.

Bilbao

Traditionally, Bilbao has never been that popular under expats. However, that’s slowly changing as expats are increasingly considering less-known and more exotic destinations to move to. As a result, Bilbao’s expat community is slowly growing. Another benefit of this is that the city is, generally, less busy than other cities.

Now, you might think that this would make Bilbao cheaper. Actually, Bilbao is the fifth most expensive city to live in Spain. So, it might not be the best choice if you’re looking for a more expensive expat destination.

However, for this price, you’ll enjoy an excellent lifestyle, and it’s the perfect option when you want to stay in a city but don’t want to stay in overcrowded cities like Barcelona or Madrid.

San Sebastián

San Sebastián is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Spain. As such, the city has a lot to offer including cultural events, festivals, museums, highly rated cuisine, and more. In addition, the city also has several other activities and amenities including bicycling, hiking, educational facilities, and beaches.

Unfortunately, there is a price to pay for all these benefits, as San Sebastián is one of the most expensive places to stay in Spain. Luckily, it’s also one of the cities with the highest average salary. Also making it attractive as an immigration destination is its public transport system and healthcare facilities.

And as far as families go, the Basque Country where San Sebastián is located invests more than many other places in Spain into education. As a result, it has an excellent public education system. For example, the school dropout rate in the region is only 7.2%, while it’s 11.1% in the rest of the European Union, and 21.9% in the rest of Spain.

Malaga

The port city of Malaga is often referred to as the capital of the Costa del Sol. As such, it offers several hotels and resorts, good infrastructure, several amenities, and it has established itself as the commercial hub of the Andalusian coast. It also has the third-busiest airport in Spain, affordable public transport, and good connectivity.

As such, the city has a lot to offer to expats, including exquisite cuisine, several museums, beautiful beaches, thriving nightlife, and many travel opportunities. One of the major benefits of living in Malaga is that it offers a lower cost of living compared to many other places living in Spain. In fact, Spain is one of the most affordable places to live in Spain.

Marbella

Marbella is the ideal location if you’re after exquisite beaches. In addition, the city offers excellent cuisine, beautiful architecture, scenic views, thriving nightlife and entertainment. Basically, the city has something to offer to most people. For example, it offers everything young families need to educate and keep their children entertained. This includes everything from good public schools, private schools, and more.

Likewise, for retirees, Marbella offers a healthy lifestyle that includes exceptional hospitals and other healthcare facilities. It also offers a many locations where retirees can buy a retirement property.

Ultimately, Marbella provides you with various options, no matter what your unique tastes and requirements.

Conclusion

We hope this post gave you some more information about the best places to stay in Spain and that the decision on where to stay is now a bit easier. If you want to learn more about moving to Spain, immigration programs, real estate abroad, and our range of services, get in touch with us at Smart Citizenship today.

FAQ

Apart from the information provided above, we’ve also compiled a list of frequently asked questions that people often have about living in Spain.

How many people live in Spain?

Spain’s population is about 47 million people, which makes it the fifth-largest country in the European Union.

Are there good schools in Spain?

Yes, Spain’s schools, generally, offer a high standard of education. While more expensive, expats typically send their children to international schools that allow them to receive education in their home language.

Do I get free healthcare in Spain?

Whether you’ll get free healthcare in Spain depends on your status as a resident. For example, citizens and those who have permanent residency are entitled to free basic healthcare. In contrast, those people who only have temporary residency are not entitled to free basic healthcare and should consider private healthcare insurance.

Is it expensive to live in Spain?

As mentioned earlier, Spain typically offers affordable cost of living, but it all depends on where you stay and your unique lifestyle. So, while Spain could be quite affordable for some, it might turn out more expensive for others.

How much tax do I need to pay in Spain?

Like many other countries around the world, Spain uses a progressive tax system where you pay more tax the more your income is. Thus, the tax rates vary between 19% and 45% depending on your income. As a resident of Spain, you’ll pay these rates of tax on your worldwide income, while, if you’re not a resident, you’ll only pay these taxes on income generated in Spain.