The Ultimate Family Guide: Moving to Spain
Why move to Spain?
So many people have magical memories of Mediterranean summer holidays it’s no wonder they end up moving to Spain.
Spain has the most blue-flag beaches in world (579), two of the five tallest mountains in Europe, it boasts 49 World Heritage sites, 212 Michelin-starred restaurants, as well as world-class watersports, cycling routes, hiking trails and even ski slopes. With the stunning architecture of Antoni Gaudí in Barcelona, the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage site in Galicia and in-tact structures from the Roman and Muslim empires, it’s no wonder Spain is the most-visited country in the world. In 2019 some 83 million people visited Spain, with 18 million from the UK alone. Moving to Spain has become an aspiration for living life on 24/7 holiday mode – and it’s a dream that many achieve without ever turning back.
Where do Expats Live in Spain?
The Spanish Costas enjoy gentle winters of even 20°C in January, and a Mediterranean diet of fresh, local produce is bliss for people craving better health. Spain’s natural beauty is also why most expats and nomads don’t tend to live in Spain’s biggest cities – they choose the Costa del Sol in the south (Marbella, Malaga, Benalmadena) the Costa Blanca in the east (Torrevieja, Alicante, Benidorm, Javea) the Maresme and Costa Brava coastlines in the northeast (Sitges, Barcelona) the Balearic Islands in the Med (Mallorca, Ibiza) and the sub-tropical Canary Islands off the coast of Africa (Tenerife).
If you’re moving to Spain from the UK after Brexit, visas and residency permits will be more difficult to obtain, but not impossible. More than 360,000 UK citizens currently call Spain home, followed by 140,000 Germans, 121,000 French, 50,000 Dutch and 50,000 Americans. It’s all a question of discovering your Spanish dream and making smart moves to get there.
Moving to Spain: The Ultimate Family Guide & Checklist
Do you crave a healthier, safer or adventure-filled life for your family in Spain? Are you looking retire in the legendary sun, sand and sangria? Are you already working remotely around the world, or still just at the bright-idea stage? In this MumAbroad Ultimate Family Guide we’ll cover 9 hurdles when moving to Spain, so you make the best decision for you and your loved ones. For a rapid overview, view the Moving to Spain checklist at the end:
Relocation services in Spain
Visas and residence permits
Opening a bank account
Finding a house in Spain
Healthcare in Spain
Cost of living in Spain
Driving in Spain
Spanish school system
Moving to Spain with a dog or cat
Spanish language and culture
Moving to Spain – CHECKLIST
Attention anyone considering a move to Spain!
This blog will help you understand all the steps you need to take to move to Spain.
But we often hear that expat families hit a roadblock with the actual move, or finding a house, getting a visa, choosing a school, and much more.
That’s why MumAbroad has partnered with leading specialists who speak your language and can save you time and stress.
In case you get stuck, don’t hesitate to contact one of the specialists below!
Relocation Services Spain
Visas let you visit Spain, while residency permits let you stay for a longer period of time. The visa you’ll need to enter Spain depends on your nationality, age, length of stay and purpose in Spain. Most visas allow you to stay for 90 days with a 180-day period. After 90 days you’ll need to get residencia status to live, work, study and/or retire in Spain. All information below is from the Spanish government as of December 2021.
Do I Need a Visa to Visit Spain?
Here’s an overview of the visas you need to visit Spain as a tourist.
EU citizen
You do not need a visa to visit Spain, and may stay up to 90 days with a 180-day period.
UK citizen
You do not need a visa to visit Spain, and may stay up to 90 days with a 180-day period. Note: counting begins as soon as you enter any of the 26 Schengen countries, including neighbouring France and Portugal.
US citizen
You do not need a visa to visit Spain, and may stay up to 90 days with a 180-day period. Note: counting begins as soon as you enter any of the 26 Schengen countries, including neighbouring France and Portugal.
Citizen of other nation (non-EEA)
You will need to apply for a Schengen visa which allows to visit and stay in any of the 26 Schengen countries.
Do I Need a Visa to Live in Spain?
If you’re thinking of moving to Spain to live, work, study and/or retire then you’re going to stay beyond 90 days. Here’s an overview of the visas you’ll need to live in Spain.
EU citizens
You do not need an extra visa, but will need to apply for residency within 90 days in a 180-day period.
UK citizens
Since Brexit came into effect on 1st January 2021, British citizens will need to apply for an extra visa if they wish to remain in Spain beyond the 90 days of their tourist visa.
The three visa types are:
- Visado de trabajo y residencia. You can live and work in Spain
- Visado de estudios. You can study in Spain for the duration of your course.
- Visado de residencia. You can retire in Spain.
There are different kinds of Visado de trabajo y residencia. If you’ve received a job offer in Spain, your employer will need to request a relevant work permit by applying through the Ministry of Labour in Spain. You will then need to process your Visado de trabajo y residencia through the Spanish Consulate in London or Edinburgh at least 90 days before intended departure date. If you are self-employed, you will need to prove an annual salary of £24,000 and make an application through the Spanish Consulate in London or Edinburgh. There is a general Visa application fee starting at £50. Once you’ve arrived in Spain, within 30 days you’ll need to receive your full visa from your nearest Policia Nacional station. You will then need to pay quarterly and annual IRPF (income tax) and IVA (VAT) usually through the services of a gestor or accountant. You can also obtain a visa for au-per work.
You can also receive a so-called golden visa if investing at least €500,000 in Spanish real estate. You can find out more information in English in this .pdf document.
You can see a full list of the different visas available in .pdf links at the bottom of this page. (Scroll down for the English translations.)
US citizens
US citizens moving to Spain will need to apply for a visado nacional. The main types of visado nacional are:
- Student visa. You can study in Spain for the duration of your course.
- Non-lucrative/ retirement visa. You can retire in Spain.
- Work visa. You can live and work in Spain, both as an employee or self-employed.
You can find out more information about visas for US citizens at the Spanish Consulate in Washington. The consulate recommends you apply at least eight weeks before your intended departure date. Each visa has a processing fee.
How do I Get Residency in Spain?
Once you receive your visa (if not an EU citizen) you may need to receive a full version after entering Spain. You can do this by booking at appointment at your nearest Policia Nacional station. You’ll then need to begin the process of obtaining residencia status in Spain before your 90 days is up. The process is as follows:
- You’ll need to get your unique Numero de Identidad Extranjera (NIE). You need this number to find work, fill-out contracts, study, purchase or rent a property, file taxes, buy a car and open a bank account. To get one make an appointment at your nearest Policia Nacional station.
- You’ll need to apply for residencia at your nearest Foreigner’s Office (Oficina de Extranjeros). If you’re not an EU citizen, you’ll need to apply for a Tarjeta de Identidad Extranjera. Now you have residence, you may need to renew your cards or documentation.
- You’ll need to register on your local padrón. If you don’t yet have an address, you can register at an office or the place you’re living with a reference letter. You’ll need this for administrative tasks and when applying for a health card, if you begin paying Spanish social security payments. You’ll need it if you’re self-employed to apply for necessary documentation.
You can apply for permanent residency in Spain after renewing your visas and/or residencia cards for five years. It’s common for expats to contract the services of a local expert or gestor to process your residency documents. Spanish bureaucracy is notoriously challenging.
Opening a bank account in Spain and setting up your finances in Spain should be a straightforward process once you have your NIE. Spain has many different financial institutions to choose from, including high-street private bancos, state-owned cajas and online alternatives.
Opening a New Bank Account in Spain as a Foreign Resident
New foreign customers will need to provide their passport, address, NIE number and occasionally proof of employment or self-employed registration in order to open an account. There are few large banks who allow a purely online set-up, with most banks requiring an appointment in person. High-street bank BBVA is an exception.
Choosing The Right Spanish Bank
Operating in a similar way to co-operative banks in the UK, Cajas are often smaller, locally-based banks that make more ethical investments, including funding for local projects. CaixaBank is an exception and is the third-largest lender in Spain, though remains a not-for-profit foundation. Bancos tend to be nationwide, with branches throughout the country, such as Santander, BBVA and Sabadell.
Many Spanish banks charge quarterly, transactional or service-based commissions for holding an account. In cases you might pay up to €240 a year, depending on whether you receive a monthly salary in the account, use an associated card at least twice a month, fail to maintain a minimum balances or do not use other bank services like insurance. Many Spanish banks are also charging UK customers post-Brexit for international transfers from a UK bank. Many commission-free accounts available in Spain are with app-based banks that do not allow for cash deposits and sometimes set withdrawal limits. You can see a list of commission-free bank accounts in Spain here.
Spanish Bank Opening Times
The opening hours of most banks are 8.30am to 2.30pm, from Monday to Friday. They’re generally closed at weekends. Some larger banks stay open later one evening a week (usually on a Thursday), and open on certain Saturday mornings.
Sending Foreign Currency to a Spanish Bank Account
Another important thing to think about with your overseas finances is foreign exchange – making money transfers from one currency to another. Whether you need to make a large one-off transfer for a property purchase or are making an investment, paying regular school fees or simply need living money, using a bank to make the exchange is an expensive, inefficient way to do it.
Most banks apply significant fees and unfavourable exchange rates compared to dedicated foreign exchange specialists, which is why MumAbroad has partnered with Clear Currency, the money transfer people, to provide a more efficient and far cheaper way to exchange currencies. Free to join, and FCA regulated, they offer competitive rates, a dedicated currency exchange platform, phone support and same-day transfers across more than 35 currencies.
Relocation Specialists
If you’re thinking of moving to Spain and need relocation services, MumAbroad has a network of specialists to help you:
When deciding where to live in Spain, most expats will either know exactly where to go or require some time hunting around. If you’re moving to one of Spain’s larger cities like Madrid, Barcelona or Valencia you might want to rent until you’re certain of a location. If you want to move to the Spanish coast or quieter areas, you might want to rent a car or visit various places before somewhere captures your heart.
Renting Property in Spain
Although it’s possible to find a property directly, the most practical way to rent property in Spain is through a reputable (ideally bilingual) rental or real estate agency. When moving to Spain from the UK or abroad, applying to rent a property and arranging the subsequent tenancy agreement (contrato de arrendamiento) is a straightforward process. As a general rule, tenancy contracts run for a year and are renewable (usually with a 30 day-notice period, though this may vary).
When renting in Spain, new tenants will be asked to show a passport or ID, sometimes a personal reference (translated into Spanish) and their NIE. This this can present a chicken-or-egg type situation, as the application for an NIE requires a proof of address. Agencies who work with international clients on a regular basis will be used to this and can advise accordingly. The landlord has the right to ask for proof of income and a guarantor may be required, particularly if the tenant is a student. A landlord may ask for a bank guarantee, allowing them to apply directly to the tenant’s bank should the tenant fail to pay their agreed rent. When renting a property in Spain, utilities may or may not be included in the monthly rent (you should check the contract) and tenants should be aware of any additional annual or monthly fees for pool maintenance, waste disposal or internet connection.
Buying a Home in Spain
For expats planning for Spain long-term, or want to invest in property in Spain, the Spanish property market is attractive particularly in larger cities or coastal areas. For example, the Costa Blanca town of Moraira (population 10,000) has the highest land price in the Valencian Community due to popularity with expats and famous residents like former England manager Sam Allardyce and Madonna, supposedly.
Buying a property in Spain begins with the buyer making an offer to the seller’s agent, then (if accepted) signing a preliminary contract (contrato privado de compraventa) and paying a deposit (usually 10%). This is legally binding and buyers should ensure they’ve undertaken a full survey and checked the Spanish property registry (Registro de la Propiedad) to ensure there are no outstanding debts or taxes to be paid on the property as any debts are transferrable with the purchase of the property.
When the buyer has successfully arranged a mortgage, the contract of sale (escritura de compraventa) can be signed in the presence of a notary. At this stage, the full sale price and all taxes and fees are payable to the relevant parties. For excellent information on obtaining a mortgage in Spain see our interview with Mortgage Direct cofounder Katherine Walkerdine.
Foreign buyers should ensure they seek independent translation of any Spanish documents and if possible seek out a real estate agency used to working with international clients. The British Embassy in Spain has created a useful list of English speaking lawyers and translators. Popular online property portals include Idealista and Servihabitat as well as Comprarcasa, fotocasa and tucasa.com (only available in Spanish). If you are in need of a temporary housing solution, online booking platform Homelike offers furnished apartments, with a minimum rental period of just 1 month.
Life expectancy in Spain is among the highest in Europe, with the healthcare system in Spain one of the best in the world. Highly ranked by the World Health Organisation, Spanish hospitals have state-of-the-art equipment and offer a good standard of care. Most hospitals employ English-speaking staff or provide patients with access to translation services.
Spain’s Healthcare System
The Spanish government invests a high proportion of GDP on healthcare, with a high number of practicing doctors (who must pass rigorous qualifying exams). Each of the country’s 17 Autonomous Communities now manages their own healthcare system. All Spanish residents (including working or retired expats) with a social security number are entitled to free or low-cost healthcare in Spain through the national healthcare system (Sistema Nacional de Salud). 75 to 100% of the total cost of treatments and prescriptions are subsidised.
How to Access Healthcare in Spain
Families and individuals seeking to access state healthcare in Spain need a social security number by applying at their local Dirección General de la Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social. You’ll need a passport, NIE, residencia document and padrón (municipal register). You can then register with a local health centre (known as a centro de salud or centro de asistencia primaria or CAP) or a general doctor with an individual practise (médico de cabecera). Once registered, you will receive a SIP (Sistema de Informacion Poblacional) health card which is required to access state healthcare services or treatments. The local doctor should be your first point of call for non-urgent medical ailments and in order to be referred to other specialists within the state Spanish healthcare system. EU citizens can use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to access medical treatment in Spain, including in emergencies, until they have remained for 90 days and obtained residencia.
Spanish Healthcare for Expats
As an expat, you can get free state healthcare if:
- You’re a resident in Spain and employed or self-employment and pay social security contributions
- Living in Spain and receiving certain state benefits
- A resident in Spain and recently divorced or separated from a partner registered with social security
- A child resident in Spain
- A pregnant woman who is a resident in Spain
- Under 26 and studying in Spain
- A state pensioner
If this isn’t you, there’s an option to pay €60 monthly for under-65s and €157 monthly for over-65s and receive state healthcare via the convenio especial. The requirement is having spent 12 months on a Spanish padrón (municipal register). Otherwise you’ll need to take out private insurance. Citizens of non-EU countries may need private health insurance cover just to obtain a residence visa.
Private Healthcare in Spain
Many expats (and Spaniards) use the private healthcare system for its lower waiting times and greater selection of treatments and options. Many multinational companies in Spain also provide their employees with private health insurance. When it comes to choosing the best private health insurer, Sanitas is our chosen partner. Sanitas has more than 60 years of experience in the sector and belongs to the prestigious Bupa Group that manages hospitals worldwide. Sanitas offers the best health policies and can tailor-make your policy according to your specific requirements. Find out more via our Sanitas partners in Barcelona.
Fertility and Surrogacy in Spain
If you’re struggling with fertility, it’s important to know that Spain has accessible fertility treatment programs of similar high-quality you’d find elsewhere in Europe and around the world. Indeed, some residents are eligible for free state-funded fertility treatment. The country’s legislation on the matter is also one of the most inclusive in the world, extending to single women and LGBTQ+ couples. However, one area that can be problematic is finding a surrogate.
In Spain, surrogacy is against the law. As such, you won’t be able to collaborate with a surrogate in the country either through an agency or private agreement. One option available to you is utilising an international surrogacy service. This is where an agency pairs you with a surrogate in the U.S. or another country where the process is legal. The surrogate will bring the child to term and the agency handles the paperwork that makes it legal for you to return to Spain with your baby.
Access to Medicine and Pharmacies in Spain
For medicine and prescriptions in Spain (receta médica), you should go to a pharmacy (farmácia) where many types of medication that usually require a prescription, such as antibiotics, are available over the counter (meaning a visit to your doctor isn’t always necessary). Most hospitals will not directly issue a prescription. Instead, the patient receives a receta, which they take to a GP or pharmacy in order to receive a prescription. Residents on the state healthcare system are required to pay a percentage of the cost of their prescription medication, which is calculated based on their age and income.
Most pharmacies in Spain open from 9.30 am until 2 pm and then again from 5 pm to 9.30 pm from Monday to Friday. Most will open from 9.30 am until 2 pm on Saturdays and are closed on Sundays. Outside of these times, you can go to a 24-hour farmácia or go online or look at a pharmacy’s door to find the farmácia de guardia (a local pharmacy on night shift).
Finding a Dentist in Spain
Most dentists in Spain operate in private practices. Children’s dentistry and emergency treatment for adults are covered by the Spanish healthcare system, however other procedures are not so private dental insurance is advisable.
The average monthly salary in Spain is €1,639 – about €400 short of the EU average. The average disposable income per household in Spain is around €20,000 a year, below the OECD average of €28,965. Meanwhile, comparison site Numbeo puts the monthly cost of living at €600 per person and €2,148 for a family of four (rent not included).
How Much is Rent in Spain?
Rent in Spain is highly dependent on where you live, as rent can vary drastically even between smaller towns on the coast depending on their popularity with expats.
For example, a three-bed apartment apartment outside the city centre can cost around €1,000 a month in both Madrid and Marbella on the southern coast. The price per square metre is also roughly the same, despite Madrid’s population of 3.2 million and Marbella’s population of 141,000. Drive 25 minutes to Fuengirola and renting a three-bed apartment in Fuengirola costs just over half of Marbella prices. Drive even further island to the popular Andalucia city of Albox and prices fall to just €500 a month for a three-bed apartment or villa outside the city centre, often with pool included. So bear in mind not just city size but popularity and distance to the coast when considering renting in Spain. Note: the Balearic Islands of Ibiza, Mallorca and Menorca are some of the most expensive places to live in Spain.
Bear in mind that not all landlords will rent their apartments out year-round – especially in popular coastal destinations. This could mean inflated prices during summer months, as well as rents as low as €300 a month for winter lets even in the centre of town. This can be worthwhile when investigating destinations.
These are average monthly prices for a three-bed apartment outside the centre of the following popular destinations (as of Dec 2021):
- Alicante, Alicante – €760
- Benalmádena, Andalucia – €930
- Benidorm, Alicante – €730
- Calp, Alicante – €480
- Denia, Alicante – €650
- Estepona, Andalucia – €800
- Fuengirola, Andalucia – €700
- Ibiza, Balearic Islands – € 1,500
- Lloret de Mar, Gerona – €450
- Murcia, Murcia – €530
- Palma de Mallorca, Mallorca – €1,000
- Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Tenerife – €650
- Torrevieja, Alicante – €520
- Valencia, Valencia – €730
How Much are Utilities in Spain?
The cost of electricity in Spain is just above the EU average at €0.23 per kWh. Monthly bills for electricity, heating, water and waste disposal for an 85m2 apartment are around €113 according to Numbeo. Internet can cost around €30 a month, and up to 80% of Spanish households have access to fibre-optic internet connections – compared to just 10% in the UK. Many apartments are rural houses rely on LPG in canisters costing around €17 each, which are regularly used for cooking, heating water and in portable stoves that heat up a home. An LPG canister used to light a cooking stove can service two people for up to six months.
Many rural houses will have to pay up to €100 annually for waste disposal services, and can leave their rubbish in plastic containers at nearby disposal points. You cannot leave your rubbish outside your home in most parts of Spain.
Cost of Food and Drink in Spain
The average Spanish household spends €380 a month on food and non-alcoholic drinks. According to Numbeo, the most important items of food and drink in a supermarket are cheaper in Spain compared to UK, except for cheeses and beef by the kilo. Milk, eggs, fruits, vegetables, water, wine, beer and cigarettes are significantly cheaper in Spain, however Spanish people tend to drink longlife milk rather than fresh.
A meal at an inexpensive restaurant can be very affordable in Spain, averaging at €11 per head. A coffee at a coffee will cost on average €1.50 compared to €3.25 in the UK.
Taxation and Social Security in Spain
Expats that live in Spain for more than 183 days are required to pay Spanish taxes. If your worldwide income in Spain is more than €22,000, you will need to declare a tax return at the end of each financial year which ends in December. If you earn less than this, you will still need to declare taxes if you’re self-employed, earn over €1,000 a year from rent income, have capital gains tax of more than €1,600 or it is your first time submitting a tax return on personal income.
In 2021, the thresholds on income tax in Spain are:
- Up to €12,450: 19%
- €12,450–€20,200: 24%
- €20,200–€35,200: 30%
- €35,200–€60,000: 37%
- €60,000–€300,000: 45%
- Over €300,000: 47%
If you are employed in Spain, your employer is required to pay the majority of your social security contributions and deduct a smaller percentage from your monthly salary. If you are self-employed, a special discount lets you pay around €60 monthly to cover social security for your first year, rising to €150 in your second year and then €280 after three years. You will pay VAT and an estimate of annual income tax at the end of each quarter, before either paying more or receiving tax back at the end of the financial year.
Non-EU citizens can drive using a foreign driving licence in Spain for up to six months. EU citizens can drive for up to two years in Spain using their foreign driving licence. After these periods, if you have obtained residencia, you must apply to swap your licence for a Spanish driving licence or face a fine that starts at €200.
EU citizens
If an EU driving licence is renewed in Spain, it converts into a Spanish licence that needs to be renewed every 10 years. You can apply to voluntarily change your driving licence at your nearest provincial traffic headquarters (Jefatura Provincial de Trafico).
UK citizens
In 2022, UK citizens taking up residency in Spain may need to sit theory and practical tests (in Spanish) to obtain a Spanish driving licence. As of December 2021, the UK government’s website states long-term agreements are still under negotiation. Visit the page here in case the situation changes.
US citizens
Americans will need to carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside their US-issued driving licence from their first day in Spain. You can buy an IDP here for ¢20. There is no special agreement between and the USA, so Americans will need to take a driving theory and practical test in Spanish to get a Spanish driving licence.
Can I Drive my Foreign Car in Spain?
It is illegal for expats with residency to drive a foreign-plated car in Spain. As soon as a car is officially imported, it must be registered with Spanish Trafico authorities to obtain Spanish plates.
EU citizens
EU citizens not resident in Spain can drive a foreign-plated car for up to 180 days in a calendar year period.
UK and non-EU citizens
UK citizens and citizens of non-EU countries without residency in Spain can drive a foreign-plated car for up to 180 days in a calendar year period.
In Spain, school is compulsory for children aged 6-to-16 years old. Spain’s Ministry of Education and Vocational Training guarantees free education for child residents, though you’ll likely be dealing with a regional education system in one of Spain’s 17 autonomous communities. This is important for expat families moving to popular coastal towns in northeastern Catalonia (Barcelona, Sitges, Maresme, Lloret de Mar) and the Valencian Community (Javea, Benidorm, Valencia, Alicante, Denia) as many state schools may teach subjects in Catalan or Valencian instead of Castellano Spanish.
English-language tuition is not strong is many Spanish state schools – watch this MumAbroad interview with Ricky Magee, who set up online English-language classes to help children maintain a high level of English. You can also watch this MumAbroad interview with Sinéad Galvin about the main differences of the Spanish school system and issues expat families face in Madrid.
You can find a full list of educational specialists in Spain by visiting our directory here.
Many private or international schools in Spain offer multilingual education paths and diverse qualifications such as the International Baccalaureate, British A-Levels & GCSEs and the American High School Diploma & SATs (sometimes alongside Spain’s equivalent qualifications). You can find a list of the most popular international schools in five key Spanish regions here.
Spanish School System
All state schools in Spain have the same regulations and format laid down by the Ministry of Education, but autonomous regions may have variations of calendar dates, school timetable and languages studied. The Spanish government provides free schooling for all children from the age of three and provides some subsidised nurseries from four months old. The state Spanish school system can be broken down into the following age groups:
- Guardería (4 months–3 years)
- Infantil (3–6 years)
- Primaria (6–12 years)
- Educación Secundaria Obligatoria – ESO (12–16 years)
- Bachillerato (16–18 years)
- Formación Profesional (16 years +)
International Schools in Spain
There are two types of international schools in Spain: schools that teach in their native language and follow their country’s curriculum with or without Spanish as a second language; and schools that teach in their native language and follow the Spanish curriculum. In the latter, Spanish secondary education is obligatory and students can obtain Spanish qualifications allowing them easier access to universities in Spain. Although these schools are classified as international, many Spanish send their children to improve their chances of attending universities or pursuing work opportunities abroad.
International school fees in Spain can range from a few hundred euros per term up to €15,000 per year. View our list top-rated international schools in Spain here.
Educational Specialists
MumAbroad has a network of educational specialists who can help you find schools or support your child academically in Spain.
Spain has the second-largest forest area in the European Union and is a fantastic place for taking dog on long walks in the woods, mountains or beaches (during summer months dog beaches may be officially designated). If your dog doesn’t meet Spanish legal requirements, however, it will put into quarantine. If you’re flying into Spain from a non-EU country, you must pass through a border inspection post in Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Tenerife Sur or Valencia airports. Non-vaccinated puppies or kittens are not allowed entry.
There are no banned dog breeds, but if your dog is considered dangerous you’ll need to register it with authorities within three months of arrival, take a psychological test, take out insurance and use a muzzle when out walking it. Dangerous breeds are: Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Rottweiler, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Tosa Inu, Akita Inu, Doberman, Bullmastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, Boxer, Presa Canario, English Bulldog, Tibetan Mastiff and Bordeaux Mastiff.
What Vaccines Do I Need to Bring My Pet to Spain?
If you’re thinking of moving to Spain with your dog or cat, your pet must have an ISO pet microchip inserted, and have a rabies vaccine at least 21 days prior to arrival and no more than a year prior to arrival. If your pet received vaccines before fitting a microchip, you’ll need to vaccinate again. If your pet’s microchip is not ISO 11784/ 11785 compliant, you may have to bring your own microchip scanner. If you’re bringing your dog from the United States or Canada, yo’ll need a USDA accredited veterinarian to complete official health certificates. If you bring your dog to Spain from a country with a prevalence of rabies, dogs must have a Blood Titer Test one month after vaccination and three months prior to departure.
Do I Need to Learn Spanish?
Spain has some of the worst levels of English among European countries. Most foreign films and television shows are dubbed in Spain, and many services, forms and official documents will be exclusively in Spanish. Expats will struggle to carry out administrative tasks or speak to authorities without Spanish or a translator, and especially in regions without an existing expat population. Nearly half of Spanish people do not speak a second language at all, so you will undoubtedly face a language barrier at some point in Spain.
Will I struggle With Culture Shock in Spain?
In many towns and coastal areas popular with expats in Spain, you’re bound to find a community of people from your home country. It’s common to see expat shops and supermarkets stocking products from the UK, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Morocco and South America. If you’re from the UK in particular, the Overseas Supermercados chain has English-speaking staff stocking Iceland and Waitrose-brand products on the Costa del Sol, in Almeria, on the Murcia coastline and on the Costa Blanca. The British Corner Shop also delivers over 80,000 boxes of British food products all over the world each year.
Joining a local Facebook group can also be a great way to get plugged into a region and not feel so alone. Like the MumAbroad Facebook page and feel free to ask our community for the top expat Facebook groups in your area.
If you need support with administrative tasks when relocating to Spain and don’t yet speak the language, you might want to contract a company like Valencia Expat Services, Madrid Expat Services or Barcelona Lifestyle Solutions to handle Spanish-speaking administration when you arrive. They can fast-track your residency applications and business set-ups to provide the smoothest arrival possible.
American expat counselor Karen Rigatti in Milan spoke to us in an interview about how logistical problems can lead to emotional overwhelm, and the importance of setting goals to make your overseas dream come true. If you do struggle with culture shock or lose direction in your business we have a directory of therapists and coaches in Spain to set you right.
What is Spain Famous for?
Spanish is the fourth-most spoken language in the world with 580 million speakers worldwide. Spanish-speaking musicians are at the top of global streaming charts and many Spanish filmstars have won oscars, like Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem and director Pedro Almodovar. Spain is prized across the world for high-quality olive oil and cured hams (jamón) which both feature in its top 10 most valuable export products. Here’s a list of other Spanish cultural exports that have reached across the world:
- Tapas. Tapas is known across the world as a style of eating with small plates of different dishes. In Spain tapas is intertwined with bar culture, where you’ll often get a free plate with each drink.
- Flamenco. Originally a style of music among gypsies in southern Spain, Flamenco is known across the world for its powerful dancing, virtuosic guitars and piercing vocals about life’s troubles.
- Paella. Paella’s home is among the rice fields of Valencia, but has spread across Spain as a popular dish combining seafood, rice, vegetables and stock in a large pan.
- Siesta. Not everyone in Spain actually goes to sleep at midday, but most banks, post offices, town hall and government or police offices will close at 2pm. Shops and services will typically shut down between 2pm and 5pm throughout the week.
- Wine. Spain has more vineyards than any other country, and is the world’s third-largest producer of wine. Popular international exports include Sherry (Jerez), sparkling Cava and red Riojas.
- Jamón. Traditional Spanish ham is known as jamón and made by dry-curing whole legs before slicing them off the bone. The most expensive jamón Iberico varieties are made strictly from acorn-fed black Iberian pigs.
- Bullfighting. Only around 8% of Spain said they attend a bullfighting event each year, but many die-hard taurinos keep the tradition alive outside of Catalonia, where it is banned. In the Valencian Community, events might send a bull loose in the town square, but do not use a matador to kill any.
- Futbol. Spain is generally football mad, especially after winning back-to-back European Championships and the FIFA World Cup between 2008-2012. Be prepared to hear the neighbours shouting whenever the regional or national team are on.
- Iglesias. Julio Iglesias is the most commercially successful continental European singer of all time, with the most records sold of any Latin singer. His son, Enrique Iglesias, holds the record of most number 1s on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs.
- History. Spain’s rich history dates back way beyond the Roman era, when soon-to-be Julius Caeser was governor. It was mostly conquered by Muslim kingdoms from the 8th century, until crusader armies began the Reconquista until driving the last kingdom from Granada in 1492. This was the same year Christopher Columbus sailed to the New World, unleashing a golden age when Spain became one of the first global empires.
Language Learning
If you’d like to learn Spanish, MumAbroad has a network of English-speaking Spanish teachers to help you:
For a quick moving to Spain checklist, these are the 9 hurdles when moving to Spain in brief:
- If you’re not from the EU, you’re going to need a visa. To get a visa, you’ll need a job offer, university place, pension, self-employed business, relative in Spain, sufficient funds to support your costs, or €500,000 to invest in Spanish property.
- Find a solution to transfer money without expensive fees, use an online banking app, or get your NIE to set up a Spanish bank account.
- If you’re not investing in property, research rent prices in your chosen region as costs vary wildly dependant on location.
- If you’re not from the EU, working in Spain, or paying social security contributions in Spain you might need private healthcare.
- Means to pay an average of €1,000 a month in rent and monthly living costs.
- If you’re not from the EU, you may need an international driving licence, and then a Spanish licence after six months in Spain. UK drivers may to take a Spanish theory and practical test in Spanish to get a Spanish licence in 2022.
- Find a private school that teaches in English or another foreign language, or prepare for private English lessons, or your child might have difficulty accessing higher education in their home country.
- Make sure your dog or cat is microchipped and your dog has had a rabies jab.
- Learn Spanish or hire the services of a translator or expat specialist to organise initial administrative tasks.
We hope you enjoyed the MumAbroad Ultimate Family Guide to moving to Spain. ¡Hasta luego!
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