Moving to Spain from the UK or US: the complete guide

Dreaming of casting off and changing your life? Wondering whether moving to Spain is a good idea? Then this article is for you. It covers everything you need to know to prepare your move to Spain.

Why move to Spain: the background

 
• Spain is the fourth-largest country in Europe and a member of the OECD.
 
• Its 47 million inhabitants live on the Iberian Peninsula, in south-western Europe, and on two archipelagos that fill up every summer: the Balearic Islands, off the Mediterranean coast, and the Canary Islands, off Africa.
 
• Beaches, mountains, countryside, deserts, cosmopolitan cities with lively centres, such as Madrid, the capital, Barcelona or Valencia, the country's third city: Spain has it all.
 
• The country attracts more than 70 million tourists every year and, since COVID, its quality of life has drawn more and more foreigners. Retirees, young professionals, digital nomads, families looking for a calmer life: many choose to move there.
 
• The cost of living is lower than in the UK, the US or northern Europe (more on this below), and Spain's Human Development Index (HDI) is rather good! The United Nations uses this indicator to measure the progress of nearly 200 countries by looking at education, standard of living and health. In this ranking, Spain is in thirtieth place.
 
• Since 2018, the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), led by Pedro Sánchez, has governed Spain.
 
• Like the UK, Spain is a monarchy: Felipe VI has reigned since 2014.
 
• The Spanish economy is doing well. It is even growing. It has recovered from the 2008 financial crisis, which hit it particularly hard, and has been back on its feet since 2013. The fastest-growing sectors are tourism, information technology and construction.

The Palacio Real

Moving to Spain: what formalities do you need to settle?

If you have decided to take the plunge, start with your status. EU citizens (from Germany, the Netherlands or Ireland, for example) need no visa to live and work in Spain; after three months, they register as residents and get their NIE. British and American citizens can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. To live in Spain, they must apply for a residence visa at the Spanish consulate before leaving: the non-lucrative visa (for retirees and people living on their own income, with no work in Spain) or the visa for international remote workers, known as the digital nomad visa. The golden visa has been closed to new applications since 3 April 2025.

Getting your NIE, the Foreigner Identification Number

The NIE, or Foreigner Identification Number, is the first term to know when preparing your move and the most important formality of your journey as an expat. It is not an identity document, but without it you cannot do much, not even receive a parcel. It will also serve as your tax number.

 
• In practice, it is a 9-character code made up of the letter X or Y, followed by 7 digits and another letter. It is valid for life.
 
• You can apply for it from your home country, at the Spanish consulate nearest to you, or in Spain, at your local police station.
 
• Note that although the NIE is not compulsory for children under 14, we advise you to apply for one, as some authorities will ask for it. This is the case for the Spanish Social Security: your children cannot benefit from it without a NIE.
 
• Since COVID, NIE processing times have grown longer, especially in Spain's big cities. Plan ahead.

Our practical guide to the NIE will help you apply. It may be useful to print it.

Registering on the census: empadronamiento in Spanish

Everyone over 18 living in Spain must register on the census of their municipality: el padrón municipal.

You do this at the town hall as soon as you settle in Spain. Simply book an appointment online and bring the following documents (originals and photocopies):

 
• A valid identity document
 
• Your NIE
 
• If you rent, a rental contract and proof of address less than 3 months old
 
• If you own, the deed of sale of your property

Without a padrón certificate, you cannot, for example, use the social security system, enrol your children in school, get married or have your driving licence recognised.

If needed, read our practical guide on Empadronamiento.

Getting a social security number in Spain

If you work in Spain, you will get a social security number when you sign your employment contract. The employer usually takes care of this.

If not, simply go to your local social security office.

This will give you access to Spanish social security and to healthcare, which is of very high quality.

Madrid, Plaza Mayor

Opening a bank account in Spain

If you want to move to Spain, you will need to open an account with a Spanish bank.

It will make daily life easier: getting a mortgage, paying your rent and bills, receiving your salary, your pension or any benefits you are entitled to… everything is simpler with a Spanish account.

As anywhere else in the world, you can choose between an online bank account and one with a high-street branch.

To open a bank account, you will need:

 
• Your NIE
 
• A valid identity document
 
• Proof of address
 
• Proof of your status or professional activity

Tax residence: will you be a Spanish tax resident?

Before you move, you need to know where you will be tax resident. The answer actually depends on your daily life, that is, your work and family situation.

 
• If you plan to stay more than 183 days per calendar year in Spain and/or your main business or family interests are there, you are a Spanish tax resident and must tell your home country's tax authority.
 
• If not, you usually remain tax resident in your home country. Note that US citizens file a US tax return wherever they live.

To find out more about Spanish tax residence, read our practical guide.

Report your move abroad

Don't make this mistake, which can cost you dearly.

If you have chosen to move abroad, report this change in your home country. If you leave for Spain for good, you may for example lose your right to free healthcare at home (the NHS in the UK, for instance), and you will file your tax return in Spain.

Retiring to Spain

Planning to move to Spain to spend your retirement in the sun? It is easy to have your pension paid in Spain.

 
• To do so, report your move to the body that pays your pension: the International Pension Centre for a UK State Pension or the Social Security Administration for American benefits. Your pension can then be paid straight into your Spanish bank account.
 
• Get a life certificate. This document lets your pension provider check that you are still alive and keep paying your pension. We cover this in detail in this article: Retiring in Spain: a good or bad idea?

Another plus: the cost of living in Spain is lower than in the UK or northern Europe. With a pension from home, you will have more purchasing power in Spain.

How much does it cost to live in Spain?

So how much does it cost to live in Spain? In general, the cost of living in Spain is lower than in the UK, the US or northern Europe.

 
• The difference varies by region and city: in rural areas or medium-sized towns, life will cost you less than in the centre of Madrid or Barcelona.
 
• Everyday products, food and transport are cheaper than in the UK or northern Europe.
 
• Property is more affordable. For example, in April 2023, Idealista, Spain's leading property portal, showed an average of about €1,900/m².

To find out more, read our detailed article: What is the real cost of living in Spain? It will give you a clear idea of what you will spend to live in Spain.

Moving to Spain with your family

Moving to Spain with your family is one of the best ideas you can have.

Living in Spain means sunshine 300 days a year, a more relaxed pace of life, the chance to discover Spain's cultural riches as a family, and seeing your children learn a new language at top speed.

If you are worried about your children's schooling and integration, there are many British and international schools across Spain. We will come back to this in more detail.

Moving to Spain to work

How to find a job in Spain?

The sectors that recruit most in Spain are hotels, restaurants, IT, engineering and tourism.

Here are a few ways to find a job:

 
• LinkedIn, a very effective professional network for finding and regularly receiving job offers
 
• Infojobs, a dedicated online platform
   

Alicante, Spain

Starting a business as an expat in Spain

Have you moved to Spain with the idea of starting a business? Good idea, and the good news is that it is fairly advantageous. To begin with, corporate tax is 25%, but it is reduced to 15% for new companies in their first year. Not a small point.

Then proceed step by step:

 
• Decide on the type of structure you want to set up: a limited liability company (SL), a public limited company (SA) or self-employment (you will then have autónomo status). As with everything, each option has its pros and cons
 
• Get a tax identification number (NIF)
 
• Open a business bank account for your company.
 
• Register your new company with the Commercial Registry
 
• Apply for a VAT number (IVA in Spanish) from the Spanish tax authority (Agencia Tributaria).

Where to move in Spain?

Want to move to Spain but wondering which region and which city to settle in?

 
• The Canary Islands: If you are a digital nomad, note that the Canary Islands win hands down on Nomad List, the reference site for digital nomads. The archipelago is full of natural treasures and restaurants, with a huge choice of leisure activities. In short, the Canary Islands are well worth it. Average prices are just over €2,100/m².
 
• Barcelona or Madrid is the eternal clásico. Young professionals all tend to ask themselves this question. Since Barcelona showed its pro-independence ambitions, the capital has been attracting international investors. But the Catalan beauty has a lot to offer: the beach, incredible architecture and a taste for tech. Expect €4,000/m² on average to buy a property in either city.
 
• Valencia is the up-and-coming city. It is Spain's third-largest city and has a lot going for it: property prices that are still low (€2,100 on average), the beach, an excellent quality of life and strong traditions. Valencia is an excellent choice for moving to Spain with your family. El Cabanyal, the old fishermen's quarter, is among the best neighbourhoods in the world according to The Guardian.

 
• The Mediterranean coast: if you are planning to retire to Spain, we recommend towns such as Platja d’Aro (€3,900/m² on average) or the Costa Blanca around Alicante (€1,900/m² on average). Their strengths: peace and quiet, nature and a lower cost of living.

Moving abroad: finding a home in Spain

Our advice: find your home before you move to Spain. Your arrival will be much more comfortable, especially if you are moving with your family.

Renting a property in Spain

In 2023, the rental market was booming.

Whether furnished or unfurnished, rental demand was high in big cities and prices rose sharply. They even reached an all-time high in early 2023, at €11.6/m², because of a tense international context.

Between the war in Ukraine and inflation, which the European Central Bank fought by raising interest rates, access to home ownership was held back. It was only logical that rental demand soared.

How to buy a property in Spain?

In this context, foreigners living in Spain are at an advantage. They often have more buying power than Spaniards. But financing is not the only thing to consider.

For a foreign buyer, buying a property in Spain is not simple. Between a sometimes limited command of the language, the property market and the law, you could fall into many traps if you do not get support from a property specialist in Spain. That is precisely why we created Alveo Search.

Here is a non-exhaustive list of the essentials to remember about property in Spain:

 
• In Spain, the notary only certifies that the deed of sale complies with the law; they do not check the property for you.
 
• There is no clause letting you withdraw if your mortgage is refused.
 
• You are responsible for checking the property yourself before buying it.
 
• The property market is opaque because it is less regulated than in many countries. Listings sometimes play with words to attract buyers. For example, they may quote built square metres rather than useful square metres.
 
• Some homes or extensions are not declared to the Catastro.

If you want to know everything about it, we recommend reading our article: How to buy a property in Spain: the complete guide. It answers every question you may have about buying property in Spain. You can also book a call with our advisers directly. It is free and with no obligation.

The health system in Spain: expats can use it

Another topic: health.

Like the NHS in the UK, the Spanish health system is universal and state-funded. Residents who work in Spain or are otherwise covered by the system, including expats, are entitled to free or low-cost healthcare; holders of a non-lucrative visa must have health insurance. Public hospitals are well equipped and medical staff are highly qualified. You can turn to the private sector if you can afford it or if you have good health insurance.

To access the Spanish health system, you must:

 
• Be registered on the padrón municipal
 
• Be registered with the National Health System (Sistema Nacional de Salud)
 
• Have obtained a health card (Tarjeta Sanitaria Individual)
 
• Register at your local health centre, where you will be assigned a GP.

Tabernas Desert, Almería, Spain

Moving to Spain: how the education system works

The Spanish education system

In Spain, regional governments run and fund the schools in their territory. Education is compulsory and free from 6 to 16.

Education is divided into stages:

 
• Pre-school education (educación infantil) up to age six
 
• Primary education (primaria), compulsory and free, from 6 to 12.
 
• Secondary school (ESO, Educación Secundaria Obligatoria), compulsory and free from 12 to 16.
 
• Upper secondary (bachillerato) is optional and lasts two consecutive school years, between 16 and 18.

History, geography, science, languages: the curriculum covers the usual subjects. At the end of secondary education, Spanish students also sit an exam known as Selectividad, which determines their access to university. It plays a role similar to A levels in the UK.

There are free state schools, concertados (privately run schools funded by the state) and fully private schools.

Are there British and international schools in Spain?

We touched on this earlier; let's take a closer look, because if you decide to move to Spain, your children's education is probably one of your main concerns.

Spain has large British and international communities. As a result, there are many British and international schools, especially around Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, the Costa del Sol and the Costa Blanca. These schools need authorisation from the Spanish education authorities, and many follow the British curriculum or the International Baccalaureate.

What are the advantages of an international school for your children?

 
• Continuity in their education
 
• Easier integration if they do not speak Spanish when you arrive
 
• If you decide to move back home, your child can more easily pick up where they left off.

What are the drawbacks of an international school when you move to Spain?

 
• First, the cost. Fees vary from one school to another and often run to several hundred euros a month per child. On top of that come school meals, after-school activities and the school bus, if needed.
 
• The other drawback is the risk of slowing down your children's integration in Spain.

Learning the language for a successful move

Many Spaniards are not very comfortable in English. They learn it at school, but you will fit in more easily if you make the effort to learn Spanish. For this, the Instituto Cervantes offers online courses for all levels. You can also attend classes in person.

Our tip? Watch films in Spanish with subtitles… in Spanish! And read our article: our 7 tips for learning Spanish easily.

Our answers to frequently asked questions about moving to Spain:

Is it easy to settle in Spain? What formalities are involved?

If you are an EU citizen, moving to Spain is very easy and there are few formalities, the main one being your NIE. British and American citizens first need a residence visa from the Spanish consulate in their country. In all cases, you can apply for the NIE at the Spanish consulate in your country or at a police station in Spain.

Without a NIE, the other formalities you need to complete will be impossible.

Be patient, though: processing times can be long, especially in big cities.

What is the nicest city to live in Spain?

Want to move to Spain and wondering which city is the nicest to live in? There is no right or wrong answer, as the country offers a variety of landscapes, urban and rural, and different ways of life. But note that Valencia tops the ranking of the best cities in the world for expats.

Port Saplaya, Valencia, Spain

What salary do you need to live in Spain?

According to the National Statistics Institute (INE), the average salary in Spain is just over €2,000 gross a month. Logically, jobs pay better in big cities than in medium-sized towns, in line with the cost of living.

Are there social benefits in Spain?

Yes, there are social benefits in Spain:

 
• Unemployment benefit,
 
• the minimum living income (ingreso mínimo vital), introduced in the wake of COVID,
 
• benefits for large families with more than 3 children,
 
• the child support supplement introduced in 2022 for low-income households with dependent children.
 
• There is also support for single-parent families, for young people's access to culture and for renting a home.

What are the cultural differences in Spain?

Life in Spain has its own rhythm. Spaniards have a slower, more relaxed pace of life. They attach great importance to traditions and family ties. They spend a lot of time outdoors and eat later than people in the UK, the US or northern Europe. Lunch is taken around 2pm, so don't be surprised to find a restaurant closed if you arrive too early.

What are the most common means of transport in Spain?

Spain has a good transport network: 43 airports, many railway stations, and efficient buses and metros. You will also find bikes and e-scooters for hire in most big cities. You need a subscription to use them.

How do you get a driving licence in Spain?

If you become a resident in Spain, registering your vehicle in Spain is compulsory. EU licences remain valid. A UK licence can be used for 6 months after you become resident and must then be exchanged; for other licences, such as American ones, check the DGT rules. If you do not have a licence yet, you can easily take lessons at a Spanish driving school. Before that, you will need a medical check, which gives you a certificate of fitness to drive.

How do you get married in Spain?

To get married in Spain, you will need a valid identity document, an empadronamiento certificate (your census registration), a birth certificate and a certificate of single status. Foreigners must also prove that they are legally resident in Spain. As every situation is different, we advise you to check with your town hall so that nothing is forgotten.

Is it easy to move to Spain?

A move needs preparing, all the more so when you settle in a foreign country. Take the time to sort through your belongings and give away or sell what you no longer use. For transporting your furniture and boxes, get several quotes. And remember to cancel your contracts at home beforehand.

Planning to buy a property in Spain?

Get a call back from one of our experts on the ground.