InterNations' 2026 Expat Insider survey ranked Spain #1 in the world for quality of life for the fifth year running. Here's what the data actually says expats value — and where it still falls short.
Spain doesn't just attract foreign buyers — it consistently tops the list of places expats say they're genuinely glad they moved to. InterNations' Expat Insider 2026 survey, based on close to 8,000 respondents surveyed between February and March 2026, ranked Spain #1 in the world for Quality of Life for the fifth consecutive year. This isn't marketing copy — it's what thousands of people who actually live there report when asked. Here's what the data says, including the parts that aren't as rosy.
Spain wins on quality of life, specifically
The Quality of Life Index measures how expats rate the practical, everyday texture of life — leisure, healthcare, transport, safety and environment, not salary or career. Spain's strength here is broad: expats cite the weather, the sheer range of things to do outside work, affordable public transport, and how easy it is to travel around the country and the wider region.
Leisure and food culture score unusually high
Spain ranks 2nd worldwide in the Leisure Options subcategory, placing 2nd for both culture and nightlife and 2nd for recreational sports opportunities. On food specifically, 87% of expats in Spain praise the country's culinary variety and dining options, against a 75% global average — a real, measurable gap, not just a cliché about tapas.
Three Spanish cities topped the world for expat living
In the same survey, Valencia, Málaga and Alicante took the top three spots worldwide across nearly 50 cities ranked on quality of life, ease of settling in, personal finance and everyday essentials. Málaga in particular stood out for how easily newcomers say they settled in — a detail that matters more than a national-level ranking if you're actually choosing a city.
Healthcare is a genuine draw, not just a line item
Spain ranks 4th in the world for healthcare among expats in this survey. For buyers weighing Spain against other southern European markets, this is one of the more consistently cited reasons people who relocate stay relocated — public healthcare access, once you qualify, is good by international standards, and private cover is comparatively affordable.
Where the data is more mixed
No survey this large is one-sided, and Spain's own numbers show it. The specific 2026 bureaucracy and admin-process scores weren't broken out in as much public detail as other categories, but bureaucracy has been a recurring friction point for expats in Spain in prior years' surveys — NIE appointments, residency paperwork and public-sector pace are the most commonly cited frustrations in expat forums and press coverage, even among people who otherwise rate their move positively. Language is a secondary friction for anyone settling outside the most international coastal cities, where everyday life still runs in Spanish.
What this means if you're considering a move
The survey data lines up with a simple pattern: Spain rewards people who prioritise lifestyle, climate and leisure over career advancement or minimal paperwork. If your plan is retirement, remote work, or a lifestyle-first relocation, the numbers back up the reputation. If your priority is a fast, friction-free bureaucratic process or career growth specifically, budget patience for the parts of the system that haven't changed much even as the quality-of-life ranking keeps climbing.
FAQ
Is Spain really the best country for expats? It depends on the metric — Spain has topped the Quality of Life Index for five straight years in the InterNations Expat Insider survey, which is a strong, consistent signal, though its overall ranking (which also weighs career and admin factors) is not always #1. Which Spanish cities do expats rate highest? Valencia, Málaga and Alicante took the top three spots worldwide in the 2026 survey. Is healthcare really that good? Spain ranks 4th in the world for expat-rated healthcare in the same survey. What's the biggest real complaint? Bureaucracy and the pace of public administration are the most consistently cited friction points, even among otherwise satisfied expats.
How we help
We help you turn a lifestyle decision into a workable plan — matching the city and area to what you actually want day to day, and setting realistic expectations for the parts of the process that take patience. Informational only; survey rankings reflect aggregate respondent experience, not a guarantee of your own.