Moving to Spain in 2024 Pros and Cons

[@spainspeaks]

Learn languages the fun way with Lingopie! Start your free trial today: learn.lingopie.com/spain_speaks

[@kamiborisova9831]

Hi, we're gathering information on moving to Valencia next year and hopefully buying a house in the outskirts of the city, we're a young couple with a dog who wants to start our family in Spain and we're beyond grateful for your channel and the videos you make, because they"re a huge help for us. Could you, please, talk more about expat life in Spain, you said there's not much xenophobia, do you mean in general? Is there situations where foreigners can't find high-profile jobs, like there is such situations in some Western European countries, is it harder to buy a home, is it harder to integrate, do you have to live in an expat neighborhood? Also, would you recommend using a relocation agent to help with the documents, are there many documents and requirements for people from the EU? And of course, is Spain pet-friendly, are you able to find a flat to rent with a dog or is it considered a liability? Thank you in advance, and again, thank you for your videos, they're really helpful and we appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and help people like us make the next step and move there carefree.

[@almruiz]

I loved how you mentioned the “quality of life” in Spain, and then as if on que, a sailboat peacefully glided behind you across the screen. Well done!

[@leeyoung9469]

Stu, I’ve had quite serious health issues in the last 12 months. I’ve been admitted to hospital on 3 occasions and am still receiving treatment therefore I can say from first-hand experience treatment is excellent.

[@moonmist9]

Get well soon.

[@vecsy90]

Hey Stu, Some live update from Valencia. I've moved here in January 2023 and found a 2 bed, brand new apartment in the city for €800 rent per month. Now we need 3 beds and apartments at the same standards are €1,500 at least. Just viewed an apartment yesterday in Alzira (50km from Valencia) which was "only" €1,000 per month; however, 20 years old and 45 mins from Valencia. The agency guy confirmed there's a one month agency fee (cause they are giving 11months contract to trick the new regulations of no agency fee for long term rent) and he was asking for 6 months safety deposit for an empty apartment with kitchen appliances that are 20 years old. I could only laugh at him and walked away. Long story short, rent prices are over the roof and landlords and agencies are greedier than ever. I didn't want to commit to buy property so soon but I have no other options. I cannot justify paying more for rent than I would be paying for mortgage on the same apartment with 15 years term. This comment is long enough already, but just want to mention also that bureaucratic procedures are a nightmare. The level of incompetence, ignorance and arrogance is out of this world. Especially at any civil registry offices. Not to mention the guarda civil at these locations... My quality of life is still way better than it was in the UK, but living here has its disadvantages.

[@BattleAngelSound]

Similar situation here. Now imagine that a few years ago flats were for €300. Rent prices are simply insulting. They're looking for suckers with money. We are not staying in Valencia. It's nice here but not worth it. The summer is unbearable here anyway :D

[@vecsy90]

@@BattleAngelSound I've just been to Madrid last weekend and it's hard to decide which is worst, the 40 degrees dry heat or the 34 degrees humid heat 😅 You definitely sweat more due to humidity but at least it's windy here in Valencia and we have the beach 🏖️ We'll be moving slightly further outside of Valencia due to house/rent prices and tranquility...

[@BattleAngelSound]

@@vecsy90 I wouldn't move to Madrid. I would feel like I'm in the middle of a desert :D But we have only 39 humid heat here in Valencia now. I'm waiting when we get above 40. 45 would be nice for a walk in the mountains lol

[@dudeleboski2692]

@@vecsy90 Yes, I was fined 200€ for having a “Falsified IDL International Driver’s Licence) Went to Town hall to file a Complaint and received an email from Policia Local stating they only accept AAA and IATA ( which went bankrupt 41. Years ago) Provided them with a personal letter from USA HOMELAND SECURITY saying it was valid. Then I asked them to show me where in their Law books it says that I must use THOSE 2 Companies to accompany my USA drivers Licence. No answer from the Town Hall, Nor Police, nor DGT (Spanish DMV) , but I find them VERY Effective when collecting CASH. Sorry NO VISA CARDS ACCEPTED!

[@Carlos00762]

We will be relocating to Madrid from the U.S., on a non-lucrative visa. After visiting Spain every year for years, we are finally looking forward to enjoying our leisure time in a great country. We both speak fluent Spanish, and enjoy integrating with locals.

[@ianmt1]

Hola Carlos. I read your message with interest. As a non-Spanish-speaking Brit, I plan to move to Spain by 2026. It would be great to communicate with you to understand your journey thus far.

[@stefanoprivetto6744]

Stewart, your hard work is much appreciated. I still look forward to your posts, diverse content, and interesting topics after all these years. Thank you so much, from a Brit who spends most of the year in the beautiful provenance of Maliga.

[@junuc10]

I am moving to Spain in 2025 as a Spanish citizen from the US where I grew up, looking at Galicia. My grandparents emigrated from Spain to the Americas 110 years ago. Fortunately I am fluent in Spanish and I am now learning Galego. Looking forward starting a new life there as I believe that the change will be good for me.

[@edl7454]

Under what visa are you doing this?

[@thespaindiaries]

I love getting your updates!! We are moving to Spain in April 2025 and are excited to start new adventures. We love getting a nice dose of reality injected into our dreams. lol. Thanks for all you do!

[@Simon-jj2pu]

My local town (7,000 people) has three English speakers (two British) who act as liaison to the English speaking residents and are employed by the Council. They act as free translators and are the go to people for any questions or help , this is a very Spanish town

[@AlexMontgomery-i7s]

Compact, informative, balanced presentation Stu. Muchas gracias. The cost of living pressures are everywhere. Wages and salaries in Australia are very good by comparison to most countries, but cost of living is also very high and standards of living are declining on a per capita basis. We have a serious housing crisis here. My daughter just moved to London for next two years - her rental property in Melbourne was just over A$2000 per month, and just back on the market for A$3240 per month! Her rent in London for a one bedroom apartment @A$3900 per month. Although Spain’s economy is reported as growing and strong, relatively, and unemployment has deceased somewhat it is still very high - especially in the 18-25ish bracket- which is a serious problem. Australia’s unemployment rate is sitting around 4%. Curiously this is also causes problems. Anyone considering moving to Spain should do their homework thoroughly. Much easier for anyone with a passport from an EU country of course.

[@madplanet3351]

Mainly reside in fuerteventura. Best thing we ever did. Life's FANTASTIC.

[@joycemckeown789]

Fabulous 😊

[@madplanet3351]

@@joycemckeown789 ❤️

[@Toltecgrl]

Very informative. Thank You!

[@allandonovan4620]

We love living in El Puerto de Santa Maria. It has far exceeded our expectations.

[@saltaireorangebicyclechopp8555]

Just spent a month in Jerez looking around the bay of Cadiz, we are seriously considering Puerto de Santa Maria to live, it's got a lot going for it. We looked at next door, Puerto Real too but what a difference!

[@mariourrabazo7428]

I lived el Puerto 22yrs ago working on construction of a offshore platform. Lived there 2 yrs (Veldelagrana area), Really enjoyed my time there. Hope to go back to see if it has changed much.

[@plumberparts]

Hi Allan, my wife, son and I plan to move to El Puerto in the next few years. Tell me, what do you love about it so much? Ps. I’m a YouTubing plumber!

[@antoniolopezlopez4236]

About the burocratic problems. Believe me, I have lived in other countries like Germany and I have had friends living in France and Italy. From my personal experience and references Spain doesnt have the worst burocracy of Europe by far. Germany and France are specially horrible. In the first case you have to do the same thing two or three times in different places, and in the second case France is so dammed centralized in Paris that papers take looooong time (i mean... very long). Regarding Spain... Well, papers are complicated specially if you come from outside EU and you need to justify a lot of things, but once they are done things run quite smoother. Consider also that there are papers today you can get quite easy with the chip instaled in your DNI. You only need a card reader.

[@joseantoniodavila2752]

You missed Italy. Another bureaucrazy system, but slower

[@noneofyourconcern5448]

How difficult is it to migrate to Spain as a eu citizen? It it doable not speaking g that much Spanish..

[@Deusexmaschera]

No. German bureocracy is not that bad. Annoying but working. I applied for a postdoc position and I had to spend 1000 euro, for then having to show a document that I cannot have because I have not lived in spain

[@thomaslundi5110]

😢 I want to move to Spain now 😅😅😅😅

[@ladabrisudova7671]

Hello Stu 😊 Thanks for all your wonderful videos. I hardly ever get to sit down and watch the livestream, but I try to get back to all your videos later… Going back to the topic of overtourism and anti-tourist feelings…I’ve been visiting Spain for the last 15 years, or so, every year, once or twice a year if I’m lucky. Be it as a tourist with my family (after the boys have turned teenagers, only with my husband), or as a teacher, with a group of students or alone on a course for teachers. I’ve seen tourists behave badly, in busy tourist centres, which eventually, we started to avoid. I’ve never seen locals treat tourists badly. I saw some kind of nervous apprehension in the eyes of inhabitants of Barcelona, going about their business on the Rambla, where my group of students was in their way, but other than that… no negative feelings on the part of the locals, always ready to help. I love going back whenever I can; somehow I feel at home there. I came back from Santander a week ago, and this Saturday, I’m going back again. First to Porto for a few days and then I’m spending almost a fortnight in the Picos and then Galicia with my husband. I can’t wait to feel at home again 😊 I will be a “tourist” and I’m sure I won’t be mistreated because of that.

[@AndresCanive]

Excellent video Stuart. Flying into Madrid next Thursday on my way to Bilbao. VIVA LA LIBERTAD!

[@joseantoniodavila2752]

5:33 That map lacks the brown route, that that goes on 19th century rails. I'll take the train between Ciudad Real and Mérida tomorrow and it goes on those ancient rails, at 40 km/h. It's high speed to Puertollano, but then we have to change the train and it's worse because implies spending even more time. The journy is spectacular for nature lovers.

[@actionjackson9385]

Good to see you body surfing Stu. Back to those Ozzie roots.

[@dominiclavu193]

Thanks for shedding some light on this. With all the current anti-tourism movements, which I think is mis-directed, my wife and I have our concerns. However, as you pointed out, us foreigners just need to adapt. I do see some correlations of the political situations in the US too. I suppose we need to redo our own pros-and-cons list. 🧐

[@welshtoro3256]

The anti-tourism news is being blown out of all proportion. It's not the reality on the ground in 99.9% off tourist experience. I've been to Castile Leon, Madrid and Andalucia this year and had a wonderful and friendly experience.

[@dominiclavu193]

@@welshtoro3256 Good to hear! Appreciate it very much. We're visiting Oviedo, Santander, Bilbao, San Sebastian, and Valencia in the Spring! I figured it was all over-blown, but disheartening to constantly hear all the negative things.

[@welshtoro3256]

@@dominiclavu193 I was married in Bilbao and my wife's father and sister live in that city. My brother in law works in Santander. I can virtually guarantee that you wont hear a thing about it in the north of Spain.

[@dominiclavu193]

@@welshtoro3256 I purchased Stu's "soy turista" t-shirt and was looking forward to strutting around Spain with it in my wheelchair! I think I will respectfully wear it while enjoying the sites along with a few pintxos. 😉 Cancel Reply

[@geraldobrien7323]

@@dominiclavu193 My wife and I just got back from Madrid (we are from the US). We also visited Toledo and Segovia. We experienced absolutely no hostility from the locals. As a matter of fact, our first day in Madrid there was a big demonstration protesting the cost of housing-hundreds and hundreds of people attending. I went to check it out. Believe me. I do not look like a Spaniard at all. Looking at me, people would be able to tell that I was a tourist. Absolutely no one sprayed any water on me. Go visit Spain. The people are beautiful.

[@goldgeologist5320]

Excellent overview Stuart. But I want to know about the taxi action especially the wealth tax.

[@Global-Relocation-Spain]

Nice video!

[@martymiguel4496]

Hola Stewie. Good video. Am back in OZ and can tell you that I honestly think Spain is more expensive than Australia in many aspects.

[@moralesjjvideo]

Living in Spain is pretty amazing. The only downsides would be the ability to earn competitive salaries and taxes. Now, for some jobs, Spain pays less, but your quality of life can still be better than other countries because the cost of living and services are so affordable and good. For for IT, Banking, etc you will make much more money in the US (as an example). For Spain, Taxes are high - BUT if you come from the US, the delta. over US taxes that you have to pay anyway is low and the quality of life increase is significant. And if you come from California or NYC, when you also include healthcare costs, Spain is a bargain tax wise. Clearly, if you come from other countries and can live in Andorra, the tax delta is huge (Since you would not need to pay your home country taxes). NOT,E, if you have significant world wide assets living in Spain is VERY expensive. The wealth tax is extremely high, much higher than anywhere else.

[@O1012-u7q]

If you have assets, the wealth tax destroys Spain’s viability. 1.5-3% of your worldwide assets per year is extreme and unprecedented in the world. It makes Spain more expensive that Switzerland or top-tier US locations

[@steveath]

The permanent rents are ridiculously high here in North Tenerife. I would never rent here. If you can, buy. It is expensive with taxes so ask around the UK residents & ask for advice on which estate agent to use. We had a fantastic one, who dealt with everything from start to finish. The income tax is high so double check if you are liable - very complicated! I am talking about pensions as well!

[@irenesdiary6943]

I am considering retiring early. Is it possible to enroll my kids in public school in Spain if i am on retirement visa?

[@MsLudam]

Where are you standing and making this video? It’s look so beautiful!

[@janetlombardi2314]

Interesting, Stuart. There doesn't seem to be many cons as far as I can see. Hopefully, the anti tourist approach may get better. I guess if you're living in the country with respect, it may be a different scenario. Thank you 😊

[@dudeleboski2692]

Stuart, I got hit by a car from behind whilst letting children pass on a Pedestrian Crossing on my Motorbike. It put me in a wheelchair and after paying Taxes here, was forced to sell everything and move to the UK, due to the fact that Servicios Sociales gave me only 15%,While the Judicial Doctor gave me a min. of 35%.( One needs a Min.of 33% to receive free Medical treatment in Spain). Due to BREXIT and having to leave for Medical treatment abroad,for over 6 Years, They will now, NOT renew my Residency, nor will the Insurance Co. pay me any Medical costes, because I went outside Spain for treatment, that was NOT available here……….what a Paradox!

[@bradcobb3418]

@dude leboski Same thing happened to me, so IF I stop at xing i always stop near the kerb, never in the middle of the lane, I was launched 10m and luckily the Ducati landed on me so not too damaged 😅 My leg was trapped under the very hot exhaust but as i always where boots and leathers I only suffered a charred leathers,and kind people ran to help me up!. A sprained clutch thumb was only injury and his insurance paid up.

[@Simon-jj2pu]

We have a couple in the village who this happened to, had to move from Tenerife to a very cheap area in inland Spain. Money is still not coming for the hit.

[@michaeljones3774]

Surely your car insurance cover that ?

[@dudeleboski2692]

@@michaeljones3774 No. did you not read my comment?

[@lynchetts]

So you left UK but ran home for free treatment when it suited you and then blame Brexit LOL

[@imanolsenderos9427]

Great video Stuart, but I would take with a pinch of salt what the prime minister says. There is a push from tourism, but that won’t do the trick in the long term.

[@sarniedonnelly2544]

Very interesting, thank you. 😊

[@JonM-ts7os]

If you have an income then you can live anywhere including Spain.

[@christinecleavest9099]

best a foreign income for sure.

[@daveed4475]

We are planning to move to Spain. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to do it for about a year.

[@ChinecheremVivian-x1l]

Thanks Sir 🥰

[@mikeandcheryl]

The anti tourism stuff that's going at the moment has put us off going this autumn. We are going to try Greece and Turkey.

[@welshtoro3256]

Don't let it put you off guys. It's only concentrated in a couple of tiny pinch points. I've been to Castile Leon, Madrid and Andalucia this year and had a wonderful time with no bother at all.

[@loloflores123]

Really? Guys, we have 83 million visitors and some 4 people shooting with water guns to a few of them in a simbolic way in Barcelona. Changing countries seems a little exagerated.

[@mikeandcheryl]

@@loloflores123 We've just had a fortnight in Greece and are now in Turkey and feel very welcome. Don't think we'll be going back to Spain.

[@loloflores123]

@@mikeandcheryl we will miss you guys. But life must go on.

[@geraldobrien7323]

My wife and I just got back from ten days in Madrid. We experienced no hostility at all from the locals. Also, a lot of people make their livings off of tourism, so they are far from hostile towards tourists.

[@AvioftheSand]

Where in Spain are you in this video?

[@intellectualnerd4544]

Stu, I want to ask if you had a chance to do it all over again would you choose Spain over Australia?

[@The45thoffoot]

We were looking to move at the end but f this year but have decided to pull back until the civil unrest is sorted.

[@welshtoro3256]

Civil unrest?

[@guayames]

Nice beach, but too cold compared to South Beach here in Florida! And here I have Walmart 24/7 to buy good price olive oil, lol

[@denbrock6517]

Hello Sir. I have a question, I’m about to buy a house in Asturias and the bank I’m going through says it’s mandatory that foreigners are not given a fixed interest rate on a home loan. Is that true? Thank you for your channel it’s so informative 🍻. BTW I lived in Perth for a few years, it’s one of my favorite cities in the world.

[@anthonyferris8912]

The anti tourism issue shouldn’t really affect settlers to Spain...

[@MediaFaust]

Except for the "camino" oriented tourists, the north of Spain seems almost criminally underrated.

[@jaykcarr3672]

Me, my wife and children are currently looking into moving to Spain from the UK, but the hardest part for us at the moment is working out. What area would be best for us ? Any recommendations for us to look into, please ? Thanks

[@erdemulubas]

Can you name the surf spot behind you at the section of "Cost of Living" please? Thank you 😅

[@adrianincapetown7043]

Hi Stuart, Are you able to recommend an English speaking gestor in Madrid that specializes in visa and immigration matters?

[@davidmaneckshana2385]

Im from Australia, and cannot understand how an unemployment rate of 11.6% is seen as a 'pro'! If the same were the case in Australia, the government would be voted out in a landslide!

[@TheEnzedone]

I have been looking into it, from New Zealand. Government will not pay retirement out if living in Spain. So we need an income, but found out Spain will tax you on your world wide income if you stay more than 183 days. So if you’ve got a rental they want a slice of that action. Yes you can get a Golden Visa, but it’ll cost you a MINIMUM $500,000 euros. That’s $1m NZD which makes it unrealistic and just not worth the move. I don’t know if the Australian Government will pay your pension out in Spain? If you have a good super’ most Australians do, then maybe the Spanish government will tax you on that income as well. Good homework is needed.

[@leonorlopez7932]

Texas USA 👋

[@gamechanger85]

I wanna come to Spain for study and then settle there. Is it a good option in your opinion?

[@anthonyferris8912]

@gamechanger85 Did you not hear him? Unemployemant is currently 11.5%

[@gamechanger85]

@@anthonyferris8912 I don't care I will come there for bachealors which is of at least 4 years I want to know the future of spain

[@teresafernandez73]

Future doesn't exist

[@anvesh23]

Hi, where is the video shot, with the surfers visible in the background etc

[@O1012-u7q]

The wealth tax killed it for us (after we already owned a house there). It’s perverse that it makes the cost of living in Spain higher than Southern California.

[@joseantoniodavila2752]

We have some better pros and worse cons. In my opinion, the best Spanish speaker country to live is Spain and the best English speaker, Canada. My sister in law is British. Once I asked her why she decided upon making her living in Spain. She told me she felt in love with the landscape when landing in Madrid. In the summer. I can't understand it yet. It's blue sky and mostly brown ground.

[@TheSilvercue]

Over 11% unemployment is HIGH unemployment!

[@welshtoro3256]

That's the national average too. I've been to parts of Spain where the unemployment rates are sky high, especially youth unemployment. The fact that it's come down to 11% disguises short term and low paid jobs.

[@philipokennedy1148]

Love that you’re doing this video on Spain in Portugal 😂

[@Trurl2010]

Turkey is much more affordable, beautiful and vast. There are tons of towns to move happily

[@adriantello1927]

Can someone tell me where this video’s thumbnail is showing?

[@TetianaMorozova-n7q]

I'm thinking allredie mouve 😂 out

[@patriciavandevelde5469]

Rentals are very expensive

[@edwardospells7477]

Pensioners yes , young and workers no . Taxes are a joke and health care state is so expensive . Pensioners get good healthcare if expats because their goverment pays , if your a worker trust me you will now be months to have anything done . Spain really is an over 65 country now .

[@welshtoro3256]

Absolutely. Visual Economic just did a very good video about Spain's demographic collapse and what a disaster it is for younger people.

[@meaco247]

Why nobody is taking about taxes that the Gov. of Spain taking the money from your Savings, Union Pensions, SSA and your private portfolio !? is it really nice to live there after tax on $1,500 for two people?! I do have duel citizenship EU and US

[@patriciavandevelde5469]

It s getting very expensive!

[@AdamDeSteCroix]

Easier to move there than ever? Did you not remember what it was like before Brexit?! And the digital Nomad visa is a maximum of 6 years.

[@necessarypenson5365]

I watch your vids consistently pero, que mucho te quejas! Christ! Be grateful for your Spanish wife and kids.

[@oscarsantas6528]

He estado leyendo algunos comentarios y la verdad que me hace mucha gracia. Qué pasaría si fuera al reino Unido sin hablar inglés? Qué pasaría si yo estuviera criticando costumbres, cultura, política, sanidad o cualquier otra cosa del Reino Unido y estuviera beneficiándome de ella? Qué pasaría en el Reino Unido si todos los días del año ves a personas borrachas tiradas en el suelo gritando sin respeto sin camiseta etc? A ver, estamos cansados que nos hablen en inglés los que viven aquí, no los turistas...creo que los que viven aquí se les debería exigir que hablaran español, como muchos países. Estamos hartos que España sea "aquí vale todo", vienen de países que se supone que son 1 mundo y todo lo contrario. Un poquito de conciencia porque me da la impresión que cuando llegan aquí se liberan, da la sensación como que vienen de dictaduras. Si quieren ver algo que es bastante vergonzoso "pongan en el buscador de google "ingleses en Magaluz".

[@jpk2742]

My family wants to move to Spain in the future. We are now learning Spanish.

[@kayleung5722]

Strange why Spain has the digital nomad visa when spaniards cannot compete for housing due to low salaries.

[@kevtheargonut]

Spain a political basket case? Spending money on vanity projects? Have you seen the U.K. lately Stu? Mind you, at the rate the new Labour government is going they will run out of other people’s money pretty quickly. 😁

[@PauMaz]

An 11% unemployment rate is still way too high. Try less Socialism and add more free market capitalism.

[@TheSilvercue]

The anti tourism is a smokescreen. The majority of tourists in Barcelona are Spanish and the majority of outsiders buying property there are also Spanish, yet no anger is directed to them, the anger is directed at Northern Europeans and Brits in particular. It smells more like racism to me.

[@gw2078]

Stop saying pros and cons so much! You are stating so much that is obvious - so annoying.

[@spainspeaks]

Hi. You must be having a good day. Thanks for the comment.