17 Jan 2025
Can a UK citizen live in Spain and earn a stable life to support the family through a money transfer? Spain is a beautiful country with beautiful landscapes and scenery and a vibrant culture. Spain offers a good quality of life with affordable living standards. UK citizens can live a peaceful life in the city. Spain is cheaper than the UK. The cost of living in Spain is 714.2€ whereas in the UK, it is 820.9£ for a single person. Spain is located in southwestern Europe and is best known for its serene views of towns.
Every year, many migrants move to Spain to live a standard life. In 2024, almost 54,000 migrants moved to Spain. Life in Spain is calm and culturally rich. Migrants can easily adjust to the environment of Spain and adopt a healthy lifestyle. There are no residency restrictions, and migrants can easily manage their accommodations. However, the employment rate in Spain is not high. The average employment rate is 52.42 percent. Explore the article to learn about the pros and cons, lifestyle, and challenges of living in Spain.
Migrants planning to live in Spain must learn about the lifestyle and cultural rituals of Spain to adjust to the environment. Living in Spain can be challenging if you lack knowledge of the Spanish language and economic sector. So, let’s have insights into life in Spain:
Spain is not an overpopulated country. It has almost 47,900,493 people. The Spanish population is continuously declining because of frequent migration. Moreover, the birth ratio in Spain has reduced a lot, which is a significant cause of the population decline in Spain. It shows that for migrants, managing residency and accessing life resources is easy in Spain.
One of the most challenging things for expats in Spain is to find a good job. The employment rate in Spain is almost 52.42%. Due to low work opportunities, it becomes difficult for migrants to manage life in Spain and maintain financial connections by making an online money transfer with families. In Spain, qualified foreigners need some certifications and training to get a job because quality degrees cannot make any impact. Whereas the most highly-paid work opportunities in Spain are:
In different parts of Spain, different cultural rituals are practiced. Spanish culture is a blend of Roman, Moorish, and Christian. 95% of people living in Spain belong to Catholicism, whereas 5% of people perform Islamic rituals. Expats in Spain can enjoy numerous Spanish cultural festivals such as La Tomatina, San Fermín, and Las Fallas. In Spain, people love to get together and have family gatherings while cherishing food. Through such gatherings, expats can easily adapt to the environment. However, Spanish people don't follow strict living rules. They love to spend time in their leisure time and organize many bullfighting ceremonies.
Spanish cuisine is full of different flavors and dishes. Each region offers unique dishes such as:
Expats in Spain can enjoy foods like Paella. It is a rice dish served with seafood or chicken.
Tapas are typical Spanish snacks. They are made with different ingredients, such as cheese, ham, potato, olives, and scrambled eggs.
Gazpacho and Salmorejo are cold soups ideal for the summer months.
Tortilla de potatoes is a potato omellete that is commonly served for breakfast.
Spain offers one of the best business opportunities. Starting a business in Spain instead of looking for a job can make expat life more comfortable. Spain has one of the largest economies, making it easier for expats to grow their businesses, get settled, and send money home.
Spain is a powerful economy with a robust GDP, making it ideal for investment. Spain is a popular tourist area, and many people travel to it yearly. Investing in famous tourist cities will help you earn a good profit. There are different investment sectors in Spain, such as:
The people of Spain wear casual clothes with no strict clothing code. For official purposes, weaning suits and formal clothes are necessary. However, Spanish national clothing varies from region to region. In Andalusia, women wear Flamenco Dress on special occasions and eves. It has a fit body, ruffled sleeves, and layered ruffles on the skirt. Women wear silk dresses with embroidery, lace shawls, and traditional jewelry, whereas men wear trousers and colorful sashes. You may also need to learn about what you need to live in Spain and the challenges that expats in Spain face many times.
Although Spain offers a quality life with growth opportunities, living in Spain can be challenging for some reasons:
The language barrier can be the biggest concern for people in the UK who are moving to Spain. That is why, before moving ahead, people ask, can a UK citizen live in Spain? In different regions of Spain, other regional languages are used. Only the working community speaks English in cities like Barcelona. So, it becomes challenging for migrants to learn the Spanish dialect. Moreover, Spain’s regional languages, such as Catalan, Galician, and Basque, make it more difficult for expats to handle routine conversations.
Employment issues are reasons not to move to Spain. Finding a job in Spain is difficult because of the high unemployment rate. Migrants often compete with locals for jobs despite professional recognition of qualifications. In Spain, seasonal jobs in tourism and hospitality are usually available. These jobs are only offered in peak seasons when there is a crowd of tourists.
Although Spain has a robust economy, it may face downturns. The work life of Spanish people often depends upon the season. In winter and monsoon, it is easy to find jobs due to increased tourism. However, all these jobs are temporary, and finding a permanent job is difficult, one of the main reasons not to move to Spain.
The Spanish healthcare department is robust. Despite a robust public healthcare system, registering for it may be complex and require numerous bureaucratic procedures.
Adjusting to Spanish culture is one of the most challenging things for expats. Expats in Spain need to adopt an entirely new culture, which requires a lot of time. Spain’s relaxed lifestyle, with long lunch breaks and late dinners, might not attract the migrants of the UK. It can disturb your work life, and you may compromise your working skills.
If an individual manages to learn the Spanish language and life etiquette, the regional differences make it difficult for them to settle. Spain is a diverse land with varying social norms across regions. Unique traditions and language make it difficult for expats to manage life in Spain.
Although finding accommodation in Spain is not difficult, the prices of houses are incredibly high, especially in cities like Barcelona. In Spain, having a local reference is necessary for expats who want to rent a home. Due to this, migrants often face difficulties in securing rental contracts.
Life in Spain can be comfortable and peaceful if you plan everything before landing. Here is the list of 7 biggest mistakes when moving to Spain:
The people of the UK often ignore the language barrier. They plan to move to Spain without considering the language differences. If you move to Spain without learning the Spanish language, you might be able to survive at your workplace, whereas managing routine communication can be highly difficult. The ability to communicate in Spanish is essential to manage daily life.
Getting a visa to Spain is relatively complex for people of the UK, especially after Brexit. To live in Spain, you must learn about residency permits and meet tax obligations. Without proper legal requirements, you cannot access healthcare and banking. So, always consider legal requirements so you can access everything.
You must also learn about Spain’s tax changes.
Another common mistake expats make when moving to Spain is not looking for appropriate locations for their residency. Different cities in Spain offer different living standards. In popular cities like Barcelona and Madrid, the cost of living is high, whereas life is highly affordable in the countryside. Choosing a location without considering your needs can lead to dissatisfaction, financial problems, and cultural struggles. So, choose the city wisely!
Suppose you want to know, “Can a UK citizen live in Spain?” The answer is yes! If you learn about the cultural differences between Spain and the UK, you can easily manage your life in Spain; often, people of the UK overlook the cultural differences, which becomes a real cause of struggle for survival.
Neglecting financial planning when moving to Spain can also disrupt your life. Firstly, you must understand the differences in currency between countries. In the UK, people use pounds, whereas in Spain, Euros are used. Learn about the differences, as 1 pound of the UK equals 1.21 Euros, which makes life in Spain affordable. Always make an appropriate budget, keeping your needs, online money transfers, and savings in mind.
Learn about 10 Ways to Save Money on a Tight Budget.
People moving to Spain often ignore healthcare and insurance requirements, which can be problematic. Managing healthcare in Spain is expensive, so approaching legalities for insurance and healthcare can help you save a lot of money and save you from crisis. Spain’s public healthcare system is outstanding but requires registration, so register yourself before moving to Spain.
Living in Spain requires a complete understanding of the rules and regulations. In Spain, you must pay different taxes, such as income and wealth. If you are a resident of Spain, you must pay the taxes on time to avoid penalties. Learning about these taxes will help you make a practical budget.
Spain offers a wide variety of living environments. Finding the best places to live in Spain can resolve most of your issues. Here is the list of the best places to live in Spain:
Barcelona is one of the most popular cities in Spain. It is a fully developed city and perfect for those looking for growth and career opportunities. Although the cost of living in Barcelona is typically higher than in cities, it offers a high quality of life with iconic and historical landmarks. Here, you can work, earn, and send money online to your families in the UK.
Madrid is another big city in Spain that offers a unique cultural and modern experience for everyone. The living rate in Madrid is also high because this city is the center of attention for tourism. Madrid is a hub for finance, education, and the arts, offering a rich cultural and professional life. It is also one of the best places to live in Spain.
Expats in Spain can live a quality life at affordable prices, especially in Valencia. Valencia offers an urban life experience with beautiful beaches and serene views. Expats can live a comfortable life in Valencia; however, finding suitable careers is difficult in such cities.
Granada is an affordable yet ideal city for students and expats. Managing life in Granda is easier than in Barcelona and Madrid. Although workplaces are limited in this region, you can still enjoy free Tapas with drinks! It is one of the best places to live in Spain.
Although you can find numerous reasons not to move to Spain, proper planning can help you live a quality life in Spain:
Expats living in Spain need ways to maintain a financial connection with the world. They have to make a global money transfer to invest money and support their families back home. Expats moving to Spain must create international bank accounts or sign up for remittance services like ACE Money Transfer because it supports quick transactions globally. ACE keeps you updated about exchange rates, making it easier for you to manage your budgets. Moreover, a bank account helps you align your finances and manage your money while living in Spain.
Spain is a good country to live in for expats only if they get a permanent job before landing there. It offers a quality life with peace and comfort if you get involved in Spanish culture. If you move to Spain without proper planning and information, you may face a crisis adjusting to the environment and growing career. Spain is a good country to live especially for people looking for investments!
Spain offers a unique living experience through its diverse culture, multiple languages, and beautiful landscape. It is the center of attention for tourists as it is an excellent blend of culture, history, and sciences. Spain is a developed country with the 15th largest economy in the world, making it an ideal country for expats to work and grow. The only thing that is lacking in Spain is more significant employment opportunities. Getting a job in Spain is difficult as most jobs are seasonal. However, you can live a high-quality life if you get a job. Expats moving to Spain must learn about Spain's culture, lifestyle, and language to merge into the environment.
Life in Spain can be easier for expats if they learn about the Spanish lifestyle, culture, and basic living requirements. Spain is a beautiful country known for its unique culture, history, and impressive buildings. Managing life as an expat in Spain requires patience, adaptability, and a willingness to adopt a new lifestyle. Spain is remarkable, but one must know the best strategies for living in a new country. Learning about Spain's culture, language, and history will help you adjust quickly. By understanding the culture and mastering the language, you can enjoy a vibrant life in one of Europe’s most beautiful countries.
Many people dream of moving to a European country. However, one must know the challenges and complexities of living in a European country. Although Spain has a robust economy, finding a job is not easy. One must know about the job requirements, pitfalls of retiring to Spain, and differences in taxation for smooth living. Always find a suitable location, considering your budget and needs. Make a budget plan, look for ways to manage finances, and actively participate in Spanish cultural festivals to enjoy your life!
Spain is a good country for expats. It offers a vibrant culture, affordable and a high quality of life. The only challenges expats face in Spain are temporary jobs, language barriers, and cultural diversity.
You need a valid visa, residency permit, foreigner’s tax number, proof of income, health insurance, and housing arrangements to live in Spain. Moreover, you need to pay taxes according to your tax eligibility.
Yes, even after Brexit, UK citizens can still live in Spain, but you must have a visa or residency permit. You need to meet specific requirements for a long-term stay, including proof of income and healthcare.
Before proceeding, you must know the currency differences, tax implications, Spanish language, climate, cost of living, healthcare system, laws, and regional cultural differences.
Expats can use international banks or online remittance services to send funds from Spain. ACE Money Transfer offers instant funds moving services at highly affordable prices for expats.
