It’s one thing to come to Spain as a tourist for two weeks. It’s another thing to live here for years. You will run into daily life situations, local rhythms, and the way people think. This article covers the pros and cons of everyday life in Spain. Some things may really surprise you. Read this before you apply for residency.
Pros of living in Spain
Good climate
You can enjoy more than 300 days of sunshine each year. Summers are hot, and winters are mild. This is perfect if you like warm weather all year round. The Mediterranean climate is pleasant and healthy.
Food
In Spain, fresh fruit, berries, and vegetables are available all year. Strawberries are harvested in January. Oranges ripen in February. Spring is asparagus season. Spain is known for its large olive groves. At vegetable stands, you’ll find many types of tomatoes for gazpacho, salads, and sauces. There is also a big variety of fresh fish and seafood. Expired products are rare in stores — there are heavy fines for selling them.
People
Spanish people are friendly and open. The bus driver says “Hola!” to you. At the supermarket checkout, a line may form because the customer in front of you is chatting with the cashier. Spaniards respect older people and value family traditions. They are attentive to foreigners. If you don’t know Spanish, feel free to ask people on the street for help. They will use gestures or a phone translator.
Cost-effective living
Living in Spain is cheaper than in most Western European countries. You can enjoy a good quality of life without spending too much money. This low cost of living exists in many areas — from grocery bills to utility costs. Housing is often much more affordable too, especially compared to expensive cities like London or Paris. Whether you eat out or buy local food, your money has more value here. That gives you more financial freedom to explore and enjoy what Spain has to offer.
Cons of living in Spain
Slowness
Spaniards love to enjoy life, but there’s a downside: they’re in no rush. Things take a long time to get done. 24-hour shops are a rarity, and Sunday is a sacred day off, a day for personal life. If you ask a Spaniard to work on Sunday, they’ll think you’re crazy. For Spaniards, there are clear boundaries between work and life.
Heating
Spanish apartments often don’t have radiators. Only about 10% of homes are connected to central heating (mostly older buildings). New homes have individual boilers. But in lower cost, you have to arrange heating yourself. Due to high humidity, it can get quite cold inside during winter — around 10–12°C (50–54°F). There are many types of heaters, but the problem is they run on electricity, and electricity is expensive in Spain. In winter, electricity bills can go up by 3–4 times. To get warm, Spaniards often go outside.
Language
Not everyone speaks English, and not everywhere you will find english speakers. In small, non-tourist towns, it’s hard without Spanish. Also, in some regions, people speak regional languages like Catalan, Basque, and Galician. This diversity can create a language barrier for expats, especially in places like Catalonia, where Catalan is used in daily life and in government offices. If you decide to settle in Spain, it’s worth learning Spanish.
Work in Spain
To work legally, a foreigner must get residency with work permission. This is only possible with a contract from a Spanish employer. But the employer must prove to the authorities that no Spaniard applied for the job. This is almost impossible because unemployment is high in Spain.
Okupas and gorrillas
In tourist cities, there are “parking attendants.” Locals call them gorrillas. They gesture to help you park in reverse — even though you didn’t ask. After you get out of the car, they demand money for the “service.” If you refuse, you might find a scratch on your door or a flat tire.
Okupas are people who take over empty apartments or houses in Spain. They break the locks and change them. Because of Spanish laws — where the right to housing is considered very important — the police cannot remove the squatters if they have already settled in and brought their belongings. Even worse, if the owner tries to use force to remove the okupas themselves, the owner could be arrested. Evicting squatters is only possible through court. And since Spaniards are in no hurry, the court process can take many months.
Bureaucracy
Bureaucracy in Spain is often slow and complicated. Whether you need a residence permit, need to register at the town hall, or deal with taxes, the paperwork can be overwhelming. Appointments are also hard to get.