Spain is a fantastic Mediterranean country that attracts not only tourists but also thousands of expats. Living here is the dream of many people in the world. Is it expensive to live in Spain? Find out what prices are here in 2024 for accommodation, food, entertainment and much more

Great weather, delicious cuisine, amazing nature, rich culture and measured lifestyle attract expats, retirees and digital nomads from all over the world to Spain. Currently, more than 6 million foreigners live in the country, but due to favorable migration conditions, the number of expats will only increase.

Another advantage of Spain is that despite the high standard of living, its cost here is quite low. In fact, it is one of the cheapest countries in Western Europe.

How much does it cost to live in Spain? We tell.

Is it expensive to live in Spain?

Living here is quite inexpensive. For a comfortable life in Madrid, the capital of Spain, a family of two needs to have a budget of 1,800 to 1,950€ per month. In rural areas or outside large cities, these costs are approximately €1,300-€1,500 per month. Approximate monthly expenses for one person – 1664€.

The cost of living in Spain is lower than in 52% of the world's countries.

Cost of housing in Spain

One of the main advantages of moving to Spain is affordable housing. Whether you're looking to rent or buy real estate, you're likely to find something within your budget.

Prices for renting real estate in Barcelona

In popular tourist destinations such as Barcelona and Valencia, the average rent for a furnished two-bedroom apartment ranges from €1,200 to €2,000 per month, depending on the size and location of the property.

Cost of housing in Madrid

Among expats, Madrid is one of the most popular places to live in Spain. The average cost of renting a one-room apartment in the center of Madrid is €1,500 per month. Outside the center, such an apartment will cost an average of €950.

Rental prices in small towns in Spain

Rent is cheaper in smaller cities, such as Seville. The cost of a one-room apartment in the city center is 500€, outside it is 450€. In the northwestern region of Bilbao, Santander and San Sebastian, the average rent for a two-room apartment starts at €800 and up.

How much does it cost to buy real estate in Spain?

Prices for buying real estate also depend on the city. In Barcelona and Valencia, the average price of a one-bedroom apartment is €170,000, while a new two-bedroom apartment in Barcelona now starts at €250,000. Valencia is a bit cheaper than Barcelona so you get a bit more value for money.

In smaller cities like Murcia and Granada, it's closer to €90,000 for a one bedroom.

You can buy a new one-bedroom apartment in Santander from €155,000 and from €175,000 in Bilbao. In San Sebastian, prices for new two-bedroom apartments start at €250,000.

Importantly! Be sure to check whether the house you are buying or renting has a certificate of habitability. If it is forbidden to live there, you will not be able to register here, and therefore get access to the local health care system.

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Where should an expat stay in Spain? The rating of the best cities for a foreigner to live in Spain is in this article.

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The cost of utilities in Spain

In Spain, the main utilities are electricity, heating, water, garbage collection and building maintenance.

Heating and electricity depends on the season. For example, during a hot summer, you'll probably use the air conditioner much more often, which will result in a higher energy bill. The same applies to heating in winter.

For an apartment with an area of ​​85 m², on average, utilities cost approximately €100-150 per month.

The "all inclusive" tariff plan, which includes telephone, Internet and television, costs approximately 20-50€ per month. If you choose high-speed (60 Mbit/s) unlimited cable Internet, expect to pay about €40 per month.

One of the benefits of Spain being a member of the EU is that when you travel to other EU countries, the internet on your phone still works as if you were at home. There are no roaming charges and no need to buy another SIM card, whether you are in Italy, France or any other EU country.

What are the prices of products in Spain?

Food prices in Spain are relatively low, making it easy to stick to a budget. The country has a strong agricultural industry and produces many local products such as cheese and wine. The average budget for buying products in Spain for a family of 2 people is about 200-300€ per month.

Local lamb costs €10 per kilogram, while in coastal regions fish and shellfish will cost between €2 and €7 per kilogram, depending on the variety. Olive oil - 4€ per liter, milk (1 liter) - 1.05€, 12 eggs - 2.95€, cheese (1 kg) - 14€, bread - 1.06€.

How much does lunch cost in a Spanish restaurant?

Prices for eating out in Spain are also quite affordable, with most restaurants offering a Menu del día (menu of the day or special lunch menu), which costs between €10 and €15 on average. The menu includes: first course (salad, soup, paella or vegetable dish), main course (meat or fish, vegetarian options are also becoming more common), drink (which can be beer or wine), bread and often or dessert or coffee.

Although there are also expensive establishments here, for example, lunch at a restaurant with a Michelin star will cost €100. Dinner for two in a middle-class establishment costs from €40. A bottle of beer is 2.5€, wine is 5€. Cappuccino - €1.65.

Spain is a very international country, and in most major cities you can eat a variety of international cuisine: Indian, Mexican, Korean, Chinese, Italian and many others.

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Why is Spain recognized as the best country for digital nomads? We have already told.

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The cost of transport in Spain

Transport costs in Spain are also quite reasonable. Most cities and towns have bus and tram networks, and Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Bilbao and Valencia have a metro system. One-way tickets cost from €2 to €4, a monthly pass costs €35-45, depending on the city.

A high-speed train ticket from Madrid to Barcelona costs between €65 and €128. To save, book a few weeks before your trip.

Is it expensive to have your own car in Spain?

If you want to buy a car, prices will depend on the make and model. It is also worth considering the costs of registration, insurance, parking, maintenance and fuel, which costs from €1.3 per liter. In general, car maintenance will cost €150 per month on average.

If you live in a small city, you usually don't need a car, because the country not only has a developed public transport system, but also most places can be easily reached on foot.

Health care costs in Spain

Spain is widely known for its affordable and high-quality healthcare system. The public healthcare system is free for citizens and permanent residents of Spain. If you are employed in Spain, your employer will pay social security contributions from your salary. You will only need to pay for some procedures, depending on the treatment and the region in which you live.

Those who wish to have a more comprehensive plan with wider coverage should take care of private health insurance, which costs €40-60 per month.

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You will need health insurance to safely move and find employment in a new country. You can issue an extended policy on our website using the link.

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Additional costs in Spain

In addition to basic expenses, you should also consider additional ones, for example, expect to spend from 50 to 100€ per month on entertainment, depending on your hobbies and interests: a subscription to a fitness club in Spain costs approximately 40€ per month for one adult, renting a tennis court - 11€ per hour, two tickets to the cinema will cost 16€, and to the theater - 52€.

Personal services such as a haircut or massage can cost between €30 and €100.

Spain is an ideal country for moving, because it has not only a low cost of living, but also a good climate, a rich culture, a well-developed social sphere and considerable career prospects. However, please note that the prices listed here are approximate and will generally depend on your lifestyle and location.

We will remind you! In 2024, Spain is experiencing a labor shortage, especially in certain industries, so expats have a high chance of finding work here, especially in certain areas. We previously talked about the positions in which foreigners work in Spain, as well as the ranking of the most popular vacancies for expats in Spain.

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Igor Usyk - Head of Migration department at VisitWorld

To ensure a safe move to a new country, I advise you to consult a specialist. My colleagues, qualified specialists with a legal education, will help you avoid unpleasant situations during migration.

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