Living in Spain Monthly Costs

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[@adamleeding2023]

I’ve got a friend that moved back to ponferrada a couple of years ago she was and still is trying to encourage me to do the same she says I will be better off financially and emotionally she told me once I’ve done it I’ll never regret it and never want to go back to the U.K.

Many thanks for watching :)

[@yogiparashara4016]

Interesting how the costs have changed over time. Nice video Shaun 👍

Thank you Yogi, glad you found it interesting. Many thanks for watching :)

[@RonaldBrown59]

Thanks for getting all this information together and crunching the numbers for us. Now you just need to convert in into dollars so Marcus and I can figure out if can afford to join you in sunny Spain. Really helpful video Shaun, thanks for sharing it.

Thank you Ron, glad you liked the video and the info - you two better start saving, I will buy the first round of drinks when you two arrive!!!! Many thanks for watching :)

[@RonaldBrown59]

@ Do they mix a good drink over in Spain, LOL.

@@RonaldBrown59 Yes :)

[@brucecoddington4835]

Thank you, Shaun! Great information video!

Thank you Bruce, glad you found it helpful. Many thanks for watching :)

[@brucecoddington4835]

Shaun, we will be in Camposol Sept. 19th - 27th/20. Hope to see you out and about, we could take you for coffee or lunch if you like. :-)

@@brucecoddington4835 thank you, just remind me when you arrive and we can meet up :)

[@angrygran763]

Unfortunately not many expats will be retiring to Spain now. You have to have a minimum income of over £2000 per month plus private health insurance which for older people can be expensive. If you are an EU citizen (Irish perhaps) you only need an income of £600 per month. If you’re a Brit with any Irish ancestry even a distant grandparent you will be able to get an Irish passport.

Many thanks for your comment - things have changed now :)

[@royturner10]

Two years on and with major changes in energy prices maybe now is a good time to do a short re-cap video. Are there other things you have to budget for like vet bills, pet insurance, flights back to the UK, car servicing, saving for that next car maybe?

Thank you Roy, good point, I've added it to my to do list on videos. Many thanks for your support and Happy New Year :)

[@RalphGoldsmith]

Good information Shaun. Personally I find that eating out is a lot cheaper than the UK but groceries are probably a similar price. Normal local supermarkets (Mercadona etc) seem to be the best value, whereas speciality stores (catering to the ex pat community) tend to be more expensive. I'm not sure that anyone really understands the tax so best to use an accountant.

Thank you Ralph for your information - have to agree with the tax!!!! Glad you enjoyed the video & info. Many thanks for watching :)

[@jeffl.oliverson6690]

Hey Shawn, I just sent you 25 quid. That comes out to $35.23 USD. No worries though, hopefully you can buy a round of coffee for you and whom ever is with you at the time. I live in Utah, USA and first visited Spain a couple of years ago for business. I fell in love and I took my wife there last year for holidays. We are 4-5 years away from retirement but we are looking at possible places and Spain is on our radar. It is a bit more difficult to move there from the States but not impossible. We might start out at renting for 6 months and seeing how it goes. I will continue to follow your posts. P.S. we also love the UK as that is where my relatives came from. we have visited many times. We even have a Primary school in a little village called Goosnargh named after us (Oliverson Primary CofE) Cheers,

Top Man Jeff and thank you. It's a good idea to rent first and see how it feels, you know if you love it like when we started looking in Spain - it's a big place with so much to offer. Good idea is to start planing now or you will never make the move before it's too late. Glad you enjoy the channel and keep watching!!! :)

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks mate for the video. Interesting to see the costs of living there. Guess better than some other countries and weather is good too. Thanks for sharing your knowledge Shaun cheers 🍻 👍🙏

Thank you Adrian, glad you enjoyed the video and the info. Many thanks for watching :)

[@paulpringle8263]

Hi Shaun some really useful information. Thanks for sharing 👍

Thank you Paul, glad you found it useful. Many thanks for watching :)

[@gopalbhatia8835]

Thanks for your kind information.

Many thanks for watching :)

[@michaelw970]

Thanks for the info. Appreciated :-)

Thank you Michael, glad you found it helpful. Many thanks for watching :)

[@Places2GoTravel]

There was a time, pre euro and for a few years pre euro, when it was so cheap to live in Spain. Exchange rates and global economics serve to impact on us considerably at times. Great video Shaun, quality information as per usual :)

Thank you Jay, glad you found the video useful - at the moment the exchange rate is going up again for the pound. Many thanks for watching :)

[@Places2GoTravel]

@ Yes mate - we've been watching it intently, waiting to jump on it with a big pile of £££ :)

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Lots of good information TFS have a great weekend Cheers 👍🍺

Thank you guys, glad you found it useful. Many thanks for watching :)

[@ianwestwood2991]

Hi Shaun. Thanks for the info and update. Very useful as we will be retiring to Spain in May this year. You mentioned 200 for health insurance. Is that 200 each, or for the two of you? Also, regardless of Brexit, do you still have health cover available as UK citizens? As ever, keep up the great work, and thanks.

Thank you Ian, glad you found it helpful. The private health insurance (200) is for the both of us, this will depend on your age and health conditions. We still have our UK health cards which we renew but not sure what will happen after next year. Many thanks for watching :)

[@beckyjames5447]

Great info once again, thank you 👍😎

Thank you Becky, glad you liked the video and the info. Many thanks for watching :)

[@DeuxRouesUneTente]

I'll pay you a coffee in person when I pass through your area next winter 😉 (I'll be following the Mediterranean coast on a motorcycle). You are among the 3-4 people I'm getting really useful information from, so thanks for that 👍 (oh, and... I'm jealous... Wearing a t-shirt in February???????? Here in Normandy it's raining with a lot of wind... JEALOUS!)

Thank you, look forward to the coffee - did mine in a camper van five years ago, sounds a great adventure. It's cold at night but not bad this time of year during the day. Glad you find helpful. Many thanks for watching :)

[@DeuxRouesUneTente]

@ it's colder here during the day that what you must have at night I believe (some days) 😉 plus there's cold, and then there's cold with rain... Don't get me wrong I love Normandy. 4 months a year... I'll probably be going back and forth in the coming years, winter in your corner of the globe, summer in Normandy.

[@kimballentyne9069]

Happy Boxing day. With Brexit I advise you to double check all your pensions. UK government pension can still be paid automatically to persons in Spain, but private pensions might be problematic. Best to check with the British consulate office in Spain. Keep safe.

Thank you Kim for the advice and info. Want to wish you a great 2021 and thanks for the support :)

[@brendagore1115]

The costs are cheaper in the country. Translator cost seems expensive I don't pay that much.

Many thanks for watching Brenda :)

[@kimballentyne9069]

A basic pension of €1000 euros net per month a couple can survive (after taxes, utility bills, (no mortgage, car paid), pet food, veterinarian fees etc.). Don't forget renewal of British passport costs and Spanish NIE cards. Renewing British passports in Belgium costs €125euros per person (2019 fee). I heard that Valencia has a 95% inheritance tax reduction if a couple have lived there as permanent residents for more than 5 years. Is it correct that UK state government pensions are paid only in British pound sterling? Also heard that if you pass away in Spain and donate your body to medical research the funeral cost is only €1000. Thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year for 2021.

Thank you Kim for the info but not heard about if you donate your body. Your State pension can be paid straight to your Spanish bank account but my wife has hers paid to her UK account and then transfer when needed. Many thanks for watching and Merry Christmas to you and the family :)

[@robertherrera4370]

Great informative video Shaun, getting tired of living in the cold weather of Chicago U.S.A. Definitely cold today hitting -3 and probably tomorrow. My dream is to go live in Souther Spain, Malaga to be precise. I’ve been told that’s a lot more expensive. Been living in the city all my life so it makes sense to go and retire in a large city. Turning 49 this year and hoping that I could retire at 55. Letting my pension mature. The language won’t be a problem, I can thank my parents for having me in bilingual classes. I want to visit Malaga this year a kind of scouting trip. Have you’ve been to Malaga before?

Thank you Robert, I had the same problem in the UK - wet and cold! My parents lived just outside of Malaga for the past 30 years and that's the main reason why I wanted to live in Spain. Malaga to me is a lot more expensive and so much more built up but still a lovely place. I'm hoping over the next couple of years to make videos further out to places like Malaga. Many thanks for watching :)

[@michaeledwards8079]

your IBI seems a bit high, our 3 bed 3 bath Neptuno on a large plot was only €396 last year, weekly food cost is what we spend although we treat ourselves quite often to sunday lunch out, Ana's 2 course for €6 and Liz's 3 course with drink only €10, the other restaurants are about the same, we are non resident and pay about €200 together for the tax, but as you say far less than UK. Enjoy the vids, keep up the good work, will buy you a coffee when over next month

Thank you Michael, interesting why to pay cheaper, we also have a double plot but thought it was to do with the villa and not the land. Glad you enjoyed the video and many thanks for adding your extra costs. Look forward to the coffee next month. Many thanks for watching :)

[@eriks.lundestad9365]

Good video, for me it's much cheaper here in Spain. And the weather is better 😎

Thank you Erik, have to agree - far cheaper plus the weather is better - we get to see the sun! Glad you enjoyed the video. Many thanks for watching :)

[@YESValencia]

Very accurate breakdown. Resident tax? I believe you mean the wealth tax. Spain is one of the few countries where you should pay the tax for all you assets anywhere in the world when you become tax resident.

Many thanks for watching - thankfully I have no assets and paid nothing this year :)

[@solly2308]

In the video (sure it was this one) you paid no income tax, looking at moving over there and early retirement (still 2 years to go before I retire) but worried about the 19% tax on anything over 6500 euros, do you still have to pay tax on your private pension? thanks for the great videos & information

We just had our tax done last month and we still didn't have to pay any tax except our accountant as our private pensions are under the threshold. Better to check with your solicitor or bank manger. This also may vary in which region you live in Spain.

[@DeuxRouesUneTente]

So roughly £1000 = 1200€ a month... For TWO? Right? (that's today's rate)

About right, depending on the exchange rate (1,200 pounds in our UK account - keep 200 pounds back for extras and transfer 1,000 pounds each month) and that's for the both of us :)

[@MatthewChapmanYT]

My dream to escape this country and move to Spain !

Wish you luck Matthew :)

[@derektolliday7694]

Good information, seems a lot cheaper than living in the uk 🇬🇧

Than you Derek for being the first!!!! Top Man!!!! That's why I moved here - glad you found it useful. Many thanks for watching :)

[@chrisharrison8167]

Thank you Shaun. Great, informative video. Confirming our email conversation and a little extra - puts our minds at ease as its a bit of a guess before moving - we have allowed about 1300 Euro's per month

Thank you Chris, glad you found the video helpful - glad it helps. Many thanks for watching :)

[@chrisharrison8167]

@ Sent you a coffee Shaun. Enjoy mate

Top Man Chris, many thanks and cheers :)

[@melvyntoms8038]

Hi Shawn i live in avila spain near Madrid can you tell me what satellite receiver you use and where i can get one i love your channel watch it every week thanks Melvyn

Hi Melvyn, glad you enjoy the channel - I use Free Sat, the make of the box is by Grundig but you can use any make really. We have a Euronics on Camposol and they set up the box (tuned it in). They don't cost much - under 50 euros. Most electric stores sell them but you would need them to set it for your dish. Many thanks for watching :)

[@ryansykes4603]

If you have a satellite dish and you need is a freesat box from the UK, Amazon stock them, adjust your dish to the UK Astra satellite 📡 and you get full UK tv for free 🕺

[@barrykelly7056]

You dont pay comunity fees in Campasol then?

Yes and no, depending on what you buy on Camposol but most of the properties you don’t pay a community fee.

[@barrykelly7056]

thanks for that informatoin, just looking at some of them golf resorts the montly fees can be well over 2 grand per yer.

@@barrykelly7056 it can be expensive hobby

[@barrykelly7056]

that's just for the communal pools and tennis courts the golf is extra on top of that. I suppose you don't have to pay for your bin collection over there? Is that part of the IBI tax?

@@barrykelly7056 yes part of the IBI tax.

[@janetkellykelly4250]

How much is Petrol

About 1.15 - 1.27, diesel is still cheaper here :)

[@TheOlivermasterson]

Do you have council tax to pay ?

IBA tax once a year depending on your property - mines about 600 euros a year plus we don't pay any community charge.

[@TheOlivermasterson]

@ Having no community charge is a big saving we are looking at a 1 bed on la torre its around 139e pcm

@@TheOlivermasterson If you're talking about La Torre Golf Resort, they charge a community fee but you're renting - good deal :)

[@giglegab]

What is the population in Mazzaron ?

Mazarrón is a municipality in the autonomous community and province of Murcia, southeastern Spain. The municipality has an area of 318.7 square kilometres, and a population of 31,562 inhabitants in 2019. Wikipedia - hope that helps. It's a farming area with only one tall high rise apartment block :)

[@rabbastern]

. . .die Kosten für das Leben erreichen den Menschen immer - mal etwas mehr, mal etwas weniger :-))

The costs of life always reach people - sometimes a little more, sometimes a little less :-)) - Sehr wahr Konrad, ich bin froh, dass du das Video genossen hast. Vielen Dank fürs Zuschauen :)

[@aquariusbathandbody]

Great info Shaun, thanks. This is very useful for a lot of people so see if they can afford to live in Spain on their pension. Did you say you spend 50 euros a week on food? Wow that's cheap, is that for all your food and dog food as well? We spend at least £80 per week and then we eat out at least once a week. Keep them coming, we love your video's.

Thank you Hayley, glad you found the video helpful as it's not easy understanding all the extra costs that we don't think of. I did say in my very first video about food being 50 euros!!!! I wish but it does differ from week to week. Many thanks for watching and keep watching :)

[@aquariusbathandbody]

@ i suppose it depends on individual taste and if you buy alcohol too, although I've heard wine is relatively cheap in Spain, is that right?

Drink is much cheaper here, 2 coffees 3 euros! Wine for a couple of euros depending on taste! :)

[@aquariusbathandbody]

@ wow that brilliant...you can pay about £5.00 for a special coffee in Chester services, that's about 6€...It's crazy!