Moving to Spain
Practical guidance for international residents managing Spanish tax, pensions, overseas assets and long-term life in Spain.
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At a glance
Spain is home to international residents from across Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. EU and non-EU citizens follow different residence processes, while tax residence can arise through time spent, economic interests or family connections. Healthcare access depends on employment, social-security coordination, pension status, private cover or another recognised route. Housing, language and daily costs vary substantially between Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Málaga and the wider coastal regions.
- Typical monthly cost
- Varies sharply by city; housing is usually the largest difference
- Residency
- Work, non-lucrative, digital-nomad and family routes
- Healthcare
- Public system through entitlement; private cover often needed initially
- Schools
- Public, concertado, private and international options
- Tax
- Residence commonly assessed by days, economic interests and family ties
- Language
- Spanish nationwide; regional co-official languages in some areas
Essential guidance for Spain
Moving to Spain: the complete guide for expats
A practical sequence for moving to Spain—confirming residence rights, preparing tax and healthcare, finding a home and completing arrival formalities.
Financial advice for expats living in Spain
The ongoing financial questions to review after settling in Spain—from tax residence and overseas assets to pensions, investments and estate planning.
Spain visa and residence options for expats
How the main Spanish residence routes differ for workers, remote workers, retirees, financially independent people and family members.
Spanish tax residency for expats
How Spain's day, economic-interest and family tests interact with another country's rules and any applicable tax treaty.
Healthcare in Spain for expats
How Spanish public healthcare, social-security entitlement, cross-border coordination and private insurance fit together.
Schools in Spain for expat families
How the main school types differ, what language and admissions mean locally, and what families should check before choosing an area.
Guidance by category
Moving, money, housing, healthcare and more. Only published guides appear.
Moving
Explore all →Residency, visas, checklists and logistics.
Money & tax
Explore all →Tax residency, banking, pensions and cross-border finance.
- Spanish tax residency for expats
- Cost of living in Spain: how to build a realistic budget
- Financial advice for expats living in Spain
- Filing a tax return in Spain as an expat
- UK pensions for British expats living in Spain
- Overseas assets and investments for Spanish tax residents
- Estate planning for expats living in Spain
- How to choose a financial adviser in Spain
- Spanish wealth tax planning for expats
Housing
Explore all →Renting, buying and choosing where to live.
Family
Explore all →Schools, childcare, parenting and family life abroad.
Work & business
Explore all →Employment, remote working and starting a business.
Guidance coming soon.
Everyday life
Explore all →Transport, culture, safety and settling in.
Cities in Spain
Madrid
Spain's capital combines the country's deepest employment market, extensive transport links and a broad choice of schools with higher housing costs and hot summers.
Explore Madrid
Barcelona
A major international city with coast, culture and a strong business ecosystem, balanced against pressured housing and a bilingual Catalan-Spanish setting.
Explore Barcelona
Valencia
A walkable Mediterranean city offering beach access and a more manageable scale than Madrid or Barcelona, with growing international demand.
Explore Valencia
Málaga and the Costa del Sol
A well-connected coastal base with a mature international community, strong outdoor lifestyle and very different neighbourhood choices along the coast.
Explore Málaga and the Costa del Sol