Should you move to Spain? What it gives you, what to prepare for and who it suits

In brief

As of 7 November 2026, Spain is a very good move for people who want a high quality of everyday life, solid healthcare and a mild climate, and who are ready to spend a little time on paperwork and on finding a home. InterNations' Expat Insider 2026 (about 8,000 respondents, February to March 2026) ranked Spain first in the world for quality of life for the fifth year in a row. Overall prices sit about 9% below the EU average (Eurostat via Euronews, 25 June 2026). A single person's monthly budget comes to about 1,576 euro in Alicante and about 2,384 euro in central Madrid (our own sums, October 2026). The two main residence routes ask for roughly 28,800 euro a year of passive income or about 2,850 euro a month of remote-work income. The one thing to plan for early is the rental market.

What moving to Spain gives you

• Quality of life. Spain was ranked first in the world in the Quality of Life Index for the fifth consecutive year, and second in the Leisure Options subcategory. Expats mention the weather, the range of things to do outside work, affordable public transport and how easy it is to travel.
• Cities that welcome newcomers. In the same survey Valencia, Málaga and Alicante took the top three places among nearly 50 cities for expat living, and Málaga stood out for how easily newcomers say they settle in.
• Healthcare. Spain ranked fourth in the world for healthcare among expats. A Royal Decree of 12 March 2026 (RD 180/2026) moved access to the public system towards residency rather than contributions alone, and many residents add private cover for shorter waits and English-speaking doctors; dental care is generally not covered by the public system.
• Climate and food. One source gives Málaga about 3,365 hours of sun a year (climate-data.org; we did not find the official AEMET figure). 87% of expats praise Spain's food and dining, against a 75% global average.
• A fair price level. Eurostat data reported by Euronews on 25 June 2026 put Spain's overall price level about 9% below the EU average. Our budget for one person is 1,576 euro a month for a modest one-bedroom outside the centre of Alicante, and 2,384 euro for a comfortable one-bedroom in central Madrid (rent, living costs, private health insurance; see the full budget in our cost-of-living guide).
• Two clear residence routes. The non-lucrative visa for people who do not work in Spain asks for 400% of IPREM, which one guide puts at 28,800 euro a year in 2026 (another says 28,000). The digital nomad visa for remote workers asks for about 2,850 euro a month, roughly 34,200 euro a year. These are adviser figures, so confirm them with the consulate.

What to prepare for

Each of these is a normal part of a Spanish move, and each has a practical answer.

• The rental market. Idealista put the average long-term rent at about 15.10 euro per square metre in September 2026, 5.6% higher than a year earlier, with Málaga at 18.80. The portal also reported about 393,000 fewer long-term rental homes than seven years ago, a reading the housing minister disputes, and 15% of rentals disappearing within 24 hours in the last quarter of 2025. The answer: arrive with a one to two month temporary base, search outside the centre, set a budget before you start and consider cities like Alicante, where our Numbeo-based rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre is 744 euro against 1,338 in central Madrid.
• Paperwork. The NIE number, the municipal registration (empadronamiento) and appointment booking are the steps people mention most. The answer: do them in order with our first-30-days checklist, and book appointments as soon as you know your address.
• Language. Spanish helps in public offices and everyday life, even on the most international coast. The answer: start with basic lessons before the move and use the international communities of Valencia, Málaga and Alicante while you learn.
• Taxes. You normally become a tax resident after more than 183 days in the country, and this changes where you declare income. The answer: read our guide to tax residency when relocating and agree the plan with a tax adviser before you settle.
• Health cover in the first months. Public access depends on your status. The answer: decide early between private insurance and the special agreement (convenio especial) for non-working residents, which one commercial site puts at 60 to 157 euro a month; ask the local health office what applies to you.

Who Spain suits

• Remote workers who can document their income and want a city with an international scene.
• Retirees with a steady passive income. See our retiring in Spain guide for taxes and healthcare.
• Families who value outdoor life, leisure and state schools; our schools guide covers choices when relocating.
• Entrepreneurs who work with clients abroad and want a high quality of life.

Who may prefer another country

Gently: if your main goal is the lowest possible monthly budget, other markets in our comparison can be cheaper, so look at the cost-of-living comparison of 12 countries. If you need to find a local job quickly, check the language and sector demand first. If you want the shortest residence process without income proof, compare the routes on our page on how to choose a country.

Your first 90 days

• Days 1 to 30: follow the Spain first-30-days checklist for the NIE number, the address registration, the bank account and health cover.
• Days 31 to 60: sign a longer rental, set up health cover and test your daily routine in the city you chose.
• Days 61 to 90: decide whether to stay for the year, move to another city, or start planning a property purchase. Our guide on a trial year abroad explains how to test a move before you commit.

How a property purchase fits

Many people rent for the first months and buy later. See what you can buy in Spain for 100,000 to 400,000 euro, and if you want a home you use for a month and let for the rest of the year, our guide to buying where you holiday and renting 11 months explains the numbers.

Where to go next

Start with the overview of whether to move abroad, then use the guide on how to choose a country and the trial-year plan. For the details of the first month, use the Spain first-30-days checklist.

For what expats say in the survey, see why expats love Spain and our Spain expat life guide.

This article is general information, not legal or tax advice.

FAQ

Is Spain a good country to move to in 2026? For quality of life, healthcare and climate the data is very positive: InterNations ranked Spain first in the world for quality of life for the fifth year in a row. The thing to plan for is finding a home, because long-term rents were about 15.10 euro per square metre in September 2026.

How much money do I need to live in Spain? Our own sums for October 2026 are about 1,576 euro a month for one person in a modest flat in Alicante and about 2,384 euro in central Madrid. Couples and families need more; use our cost-of-living guide for the lines behind the numbers.

Which residence route fits a remote worker? The digital nomad visa, which advisers put at about 2,850 euro a month of income in 2026. People who do not work in Spain look at the non-lucrative visa, about 28,800 euro a year according to one guide. Confirm both with the consulate.

Can I use public healthcare in Spain? Access has moved towards residency under a decree published on 12 March 2026. Non-working residents may use a special agreement, which one commercial site prices at 60 to 157 euro a month. Ask the local health office, and many residents also keep private cover.

Do I need to speak Spanish? You can start without it, especially on the international coast, but Spanish makes offices, landlords and daily life easier. Basic lessons before the move pay off quickly.