Top 12 Tips for Moving to Spain
Moving to another country is exhilarating and exciting, but also a bit stressful to plan. We moved in 2019 from London and have put together what we think are the top twelve tips to get you settled.
1) BE REALISTIC, BUT ALSO DON'T KEEP POSTPONING
So, you’ve decided you’re moving to Spain. Great! But you haven’t told your boss, and your friends keep asking when the leaving party is. You keep putting it off because you think one more month’s paycheck will be handy, or you have that wedding coming up—so you may as well wait until that’s over. At some point, you’ll have to take the plunge, and it will always be a little scary and/or inconvenient.
Afraid to quit our jobs and wanting to have enough money saved, we kept pushing our move-date back. Sometimes this made us feel like we were never going to go. This can cause arguments if you’re moving as a couple and one person is more eager than the other. Think about what savings figure you’d feel comfortable with as a cushion, and set a final move date. We set ours for September 2019—and moved in October. If we hadn’t set a date at all, we definitely wouldn’t have moved until after Christmas.
2) DO SAVE MONEY THOUGH
Having a financial cushion is important for unexpected costs along the way. As any veteran expat will tell you, there are always additional expenses you haven’t considered. For example, many landlords ask to see a work contract before renting—but if you have substantial savings, this may be negotiable. Bureaucracy (worthy of a point on its own—see below) might also get the better of you, and you’ll want to hire a lawyer or accountant for your own peace of mind. Thankfully, Spain is on average cheaper than some of its European neighbours, so this cushion doesn’t need to be enormous.
3) DECIDE WHERE YOU WANT TO LIVE- AND WHY
You may be clear about wanting to move to Spain, but the regions vary A LOT, and your experience will be very different depending on where you go. Of course, if you’re relocating for a job or have to consider your family’s education, the decision may be made for you. But for most of us, the choice is wide open, and looking at the map can feel overwhelming. Especially when you realise the distance between major cities—Malaga to Barcelona is a whopping 10-hour drive, for example.
Many people head straight to well-known destinations like Barcelona or Madrid, but we encourage you to give it more thought. First, think about why you wanted to move to Spain in the first place. Was it to learn Spanish? (Then Barcelona might not be your best bet.) To enjoy a slower pace of life? Do you have a remote job and want to save money? Are you job-hunting? Do you prefer the beach or countryside?
If finding a job is your top priority and you don’t speak Spanish, then bigger cities like Barcelona, Madrid, or Malaga are safer bets as they have more international companies and English-speaking roles.
If you want to take some time out and learn Spanish before starting the job hunt, we recommend heading to a more affordable, laid-back spot first. Job hunting is stressful—even more so when you see your bank account shrinking. For comparison, our rent in Granada was 50% lower than in Madrid, and meals at comparable restaurants cost us around 30% more in Madrid. When you first arrive, it’s nice to enjoy what you might not be able to later. In provinces along the coast, you can enjoy city life with the beach less than an hour away. In Granada, you can reach the sea in an hour, walk into the countryside from the town centre, and drive 45 minutes to a ski resort—all things we miss in Madrid.
4) EXPECT LOWER WAGES, BUT CHEAPER DELICIOUS MEALS
If you’re reading this blog, chances are you’ve chosen Spain for quality of life over a high paycheck. Just in case, it’s worth mentioning: we were a bit naïve about this before arriving. Workers in Spain earn about 20% less than the EU average—around €1,751/month. That said, your earnings will vary hugely depending on your field and career level. When doing the math, keep in mind that Spain is very affordable for Western Europe. You don’t need to earn a huge salary to live comfortably.
This was one of the main reasons we left London for Spain. Now, even on a lower salary, we save more each month. In London, a casual dinner out would cost £30–40. Here, it can easily be half that.
5) USE IDEALISTA AND FOTOCASA TO LOOK FOR A HOME
These are the most common sites to use to search for flat-shares and private homes. Remember, some things are negotiable in person. So, an advert may say two months deposit, agency fees and an additional guarantee for furnishings…but in person, once they have met you and seen your contract or savings, there may be some flexibility.
We recommend travelling light initially—store your belongings or ship them out a month after you arrive. That way, you can stay in short-term accommodation first. This reduces stress and gives you time to get to know the area and choose your favourite neighbourhood.
6) JOIN USEFUL FACEBOOOK GROUPS BEFORE THE MOVE, BUT THEN UNFOLLOW
There are lots of groups for foreigners to ask questions and support each other (e.g. Expats in Granada). You’ll find everything from where to buy Marmite to the tax rate for LLC owners living in Spain. Use these groups for what you need, then unfollow—many comments are more comedy gold than actually helpful, and you’ll lose hours reading them. I remember one guy asking if anyone wanted to buy his sourdough starter because he couldn’t take it with him.
Once in Spain, swap these for hobby-related meetups. We’ve done rollerblading, running, language exchanges, volleyball, and netball through online groups. The best way to meet Spaniards is through padel!
7) RESEARCH LIFE ADMIN BEFORE YOU GO—AND BREATHE ONCE YOU ARRIVE
Do as much research as you can about the legal and bureaucratic requirements before you go. Figuring this out once you’re there can dampen your mood. Thankfully, there’s lots of useful, free information online in English. Set a timer, make some tea, play calming music, and dedicate focused time to this. Don’t panic at midnight on a Tuesday.
Spanish bureaucracy is famously slow. Accepting this (and breathing through it!) is essential. You might show up at the Oficina de Extranjería with every document listed online, neatly filed—only to be told you're missing something. Always go with a native Spanish speaker if you can. Ironically, the foreigner’s office doesn’t tend to employ foreign-language speakers. A Spanish companion can help ensure you get clear info so you don’t waste more time. And yes, if they queue with you (arrive as early as humanly possible), you definitely owe them dinner.
8) DON’T BOTHER WITH SPANISH CLASSES BEFORE YOU GO
This might go against other advice, but it’s our opinion. If you’re in full-time work, going beyond Duolingo before your move is usually fruitless. Between packing, farewells, and job wrap-ups, evening Spanish classes will feel productive—but won’t be worth it. Without immersion, nothing sticks. When you move, you’ll learn more Spanish in a week than you did in months back home.
9) CONNECT WITH FOREIGNERS FOR SUPPORT- BUT DON’T GET TOO COMFORTABLE
Expat groups are great for practical advice and socialising, but try not to rely on them entirely. Join activities locals also attend—yoga, hiking, dentist appointments. It’ll improve your Spanish and help you build a real community.
That said, be cautious when using online meetup platforms. Some attract a few creepy characters who take advantage of the anonymity. Don’t let that stop you—just be careful when meeting people or sharing personal info.
10) HANDLING MONEY
Opening a bank account is one of the first things you’ll want to do—but most Spanish banks require a NIE number. Many also charge monthly fees unless you deposit a certain amount (e.g. Sabadell requires €700/month to waive the fee). Until you have your documents sorted, use travel-friendly banks like Revolut or Monzo. It’ll save you hours of fruitless meetings.
If you're in a hurry, Sabadell and Abanca let you open an account with just a passport—so they’re good interim options.
11) DON’T GET EXCITED FOR A SIESTA EVERY DAY
Siestas are mostly a myth. Pre-air conditioning, rural workers needed rest in the heat. Now, most Spaniards just carry on with their day. In fact, an OECD study found the average Spaniard works 1,687 hours per year—more than in Germany, France, or the UK. So, telling your new Spanish friends that you’re “having a siesta like a local” might not go down as well as you think.
12) YOU WILL NEED TO LEARN SPANISH
Unlike in many European countries, most people in Spain don’t speak English. In bigger cities, you’ll find more English speakers—but it’s still limited to certain sectors and age groups. In rural areas, you’ll rely on smiling, waving, and pointing. And that’s actually great! It forces immersion, which means faster progress. It’s depressing to walk through hip Berlin and hear only English.
We started out in Granada because we had family there—but also because life and Spanish lessons were far cheaper than in other cities. Few locals speak English, which helped our learning. Plus, Granada is in the stunning Andalucía region—perfect for weekend trips.
Now, with the new La Escuelita on the block, you’ve got one more great reason to start your Spanish journey in Granada!
