Should I retire to Spain? If you have no reason for staying where you are then retiring in a foreign country can be one of your options. Consider the country of Spain because of the low cost of living that will surely stretch your budget further. Here you will also have hot summer days to enjoy while at the beach and tropical weather in the mountains while you hike. But before you go shouting “Hola!” and packing your bags, let’s learn a bit about the country.
Spain or España in Spanish is a country that is mostly situated in European territory. It is a transcontinental country, meaning that it has territories on multiple continents. In this case, Spain has territories both in Europe and Africa. It also has two archipelagic islands, namely the Canary Islands located off the coast of Africa and the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea.
In 2018, Wikipedia listed the total population of the country to 46,733,038 and a total population density of 238.3 per square miles. Spain ranked the 30th country with the largest number of population and 113th in the population density category in the same year.
A recent article by Investopia, it was estimated that more than 5.5 million foreigners are settling in Spain and that number is more than 12% of the total population. The expat community is mainly British nationals but the country is also seeing a constant increase of Americans too.
We’ll be taking a closer look at the top three largest cities in this section of the article.
This city is the capital city since the 1500s and the largest municipality of Spain. It is also the third largest city of the European Union. As the second largest industrial city of the country, it is home to more than 5 million residents.
There are many activities to enjoy in this city from arts and culture to sports and nightlife, this city has it all. It is a perfect spot for retirees who prefer to have access to shopping centers, cultural centers, restaurants of all kinds and amusement parks.
This is the second largest city in the country and also is the second most populated one. Housing for more than 4 million residents, Barcelona is the capital of the autonomous region of Catalonia. It ranked as the sixth most populous urban area of the European Union.
Barcelona offers a number of activities that both tourists and retirees can enjoy. You’ll see much cultural heritage in this city as well as enjoy tapas and wine from the many restaurants in the city. A cruise that allows you to enjoy the sight of the city from a boating perspective is also a famous attraction in this city or you can go and leave the city behind and tour the mountains.
This city has around 1.5 million residents and is the capital of the autonomous region of Valencia. Home to the El Grao port or Port of Valencia, which is the fifth busiest container port of Europe.
Would be retirees and tourists visit this city for the old town feel it exudes. You’ll see streets lined with trees and locals eat in back alleys. You’ll have mountain views that take your breath away each and every time. Enjoy snowboarding or skiing adventures during the winter and hiking and mountain biking during the summer. Head over here if you have little ones that go to school, this city offers you good schools and one of the best unis in the country.
This is a multilingual country but the official language is Spanish (español) or Castilian (Castellano) as the constitution recognizes it. Other spoken languages in this country are Catalan (Catala or Valencia) – used in Catalonia, the Valencian Community and the Balearic Islands, Galician (Galego) – used in Galicia, Basque (Euskara) – used in the Basque Country and Navarre, and Occitan (Aranés) – used in Catalonia.
You’ll find that the majority (74%) of the population speaks Spanish and only a certain percentage of the population speak Catalan (17%), Galician (7%) and Basque (2%). The North African Spanish autonomous region speaks Riff Berber, and the Ceuta Darija region speaks Arabic. There are also other languages that gained special recognition (Astur-Leonese language and Argonese).
The climate in this country can be categorized into three major categories according to where it is located.
Generally, areas that experience this type of climate has warm to hot and dry summer days. But according to the Kӧppen climate classification system, there are still two varieties of climate under this category – Csa and Csb zones.
The Csa zone is experienced in places located in the Mediterranean and South Atlantic coast and also further inland through Andalusia, Extremadura and most of the central area of the country. It is characterized as having a hot summer climate and has both warm and cold winters, depending on location.
The Csb zones are experienced by regions in the northern- central and much of central Spain (Castille – Leon, northeastern Castilla – La Mancha and northern Madrid), has a climate characterized with warm but not hot summer days and longer and extended cool winter. This type of climate is not your typical one for a Mediterranean region. There are also areas that experience heavy rainfall and these areas (especially Galicia) have been classified as oceanic rather than the Mediterranean in climate.
The southeast quarter of Spain is the recipient of this kind of climate. Most of the region of Murcia, southern Valencia and eastern Andalucia where the true hot desserts weather is experienced. You’ll be able to get the most of this semi-arid climate in the upper and mid regions of Ebro valley where it runs along south regions of Navarre, the center region of Aragon and west areas of Catalonia. The areas of Madrid, Extremadura, Castilla-La Mancha and parts of Andalusia also have this semi-arid type of climate. These mentioned regions have an extended dry summer while the temperature varies depending on the altitude of the location.
The northern part of this country is exposed to this climate, most notably in the Atlantic areas (Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturia, parts of Galicia and Castile – Leon). It can also be experienced in the northern region of Navarre and in most highlands along with the Iberian System and Pyrenean Valleys areas. The ocean contributes to the temperature rates during winter and summer seasons.
Most expats would put an average of $20,000 up to $22,000 annual expense without rent. This estimation includes eating out regularly because there are quaint places in the country where you can get a full meal for two, with beer or wine for only $30. We suggest asking for the menú del día (menu of the day or lunch special), to get the most bang for your buck.
As for buying your daily food in the market, Numbeo priced regular milk at $0.87 per liter, a loaf of fresh white bread for $1.10, a dozen of eggs for $1.86, a kilo of chicken breast for $6.69, and a kilo of beef for $11.79. As for the fruits like apples, bananas, and oranges, the prices are under $2 per kilo of each. Veggies like tomatoes, potatoes, onions, and lettuce are also under $2 per kilogram. Suffice to say that, a budget of $100 per couple is enough budget to buy grocery items that will last for a week. You can thank the warm weather of Spain for the inexpensive fruits and veggies in the market.
International Living gave an estimation of $2,409 per month of budget per couple living in this country. This includes a rent of $744, utility bills (electricity, gas, water, phone and internet) of $161, groceries of $335, some entertainment cost (movies and dining out) of $558, healthcare of $276, a household help of once a week (3hrs) of $149 and an incidental budget of $186. It is important to mention that these values are only estimates and your total expenses can be more or less depending on your spending habits and location.
Retirees often are reliant on how well the telecommunication infrastructure in the country is to stay in touch with their loved ones at home and also to run their business remotely. Let’s look closely into Spain’s infrastructure state.
According to Nations Encyclopedia, the most developed infrastructure of the country is the train system. This railroad system spans a total of 15,430 kilometers with Madrid as it’s the center point. Wikipedia also mentioned that this country has the most extensive high-speed train system in Europe and is the second most extensive worldwide right after China. A total of 3,500 kilometers of high-speed train tracks were recorded back in 2010, linking the cities of Seville, Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Villadolid, and Valencia. These high-speed trains reach a maximum speed of 300 kilometers per hour and are, on average, the fastest in the world.
With a development program by Alta Velocidad Espanola (AVE), a high-speed railway service operated by Renfe (Spanish national railway company) – Spain aims to have 7,000 kilometers of high-speed railway system ready and operational by 2020. This railway program will then link almost all of the provinces to Madrid, with a travel time of fewer than three hours and within four hours for Barcelona.
The road system of Spain spans a total of 343,389 kilometers of paved highways with 9,063 kilometers as expressways. It is not as developed as the rail system of the country and traffic is still a problem both within the cities and the highways. The highly urbanized areas of Madrid and Barcelona is a perfect example for the state of the road system of Spain in major cities. The usual 20 minute travel time can stretch to 1.5 hours due to road congestion.
Spain has 99 operating airports with 42 of them entertaining commercial flights. Madrid’s Baraja’s airport is the busiest of them all and has been upgraded with a third runway to meet demands. The second busiest airport is the one located in Barcelona (Prats Airport), and the third is the international airport in Palma de Mallorca.
This country has a similar infrastructure system condition as that of other Western Europe countries but with the ongoing development and upgrades of the roads, airports, seaports, and railroads, spearheaded by public, private and joint investment companies, expect to see better performance and service in the future.
Fossil fuel is the main source of electricity for 48.23% of the country, while 31.23% rely on nuclear power, 19.16% on hydroelectricity and 1.38% on other means. The main companies that provide electricity in this country are Endesa and Iberdrola.
Spain has 99.5% of publicly accessed tap water that is potable according to the Ministerio de Sanidad. However, one of the main problems that Spain face is that their potable water supply tends to get contaminated by pollutants such as trihalomethane, volatile organic compounds, pesticides, nitrates, boron, and polycyclic acid.
The lack of investment and funding for the development of the water supply infrastructure has put Spain into a predicament. Back in 2017, Spain is said to be facing EU penalties for non-compliance to the water policy imposed by the European Court of Justice. However, major changes have happened since the first time they joined the EU group of countries back in 1986. The country received 21 billion euros between 1986 to 2008 to fund the developments in its water infrastructure. And now, they are considered to house some of the most advanced waste management and public water filtration management worldwide.
Spain boasts a very solid telecommunication network system. It also has a large network of conventional fiber optic cable spanning a total of 64,000 kilometers which covers almost the entire country. Sitting on top of one of the largest underwater cable networks worldwide, Spain’s telecommunication companies have reached 31 million households in a short period of time.
ITU News reported that in 2016, 63% of the total Spanish household has been given access to high-speed broadband. Spain also ranked number one among fellow Europen countries in terms of internet connectivity. Still, growth from this sector can be expected in the coming years.
The major telecom company in Spain is Telefonica but after the Spanish government promoted investment and competition in this sector, other companies joined in the party as well. Jazztel, Vodafone and Orange are some of the major competitors of Telefonica. However, Telefonica still dominated the market by reaching 18.6 million households back in 2017.
An estimated 33.9 million internet users are recorded in this country, translating to 72% of the population. Fixed broadband users is estimated somewhere in the 11 million subscriptions mark or more and mobile broadband around 25 million subscriptions. Spain also has 4.2 million internet hosts which placed them as 26th in the world in 2012.
According to Expatra, an increase in the expat community has been recorded since the beginning of the 21’st century. About 12.8% of the overall population are expats and is continually growing each year. It is ranked as number 4 in the country that is most popular to retire to in Europe.
Named as the third sunniest European capital, Madrid offers great employment opportunities for immigrants and sunny weather for the retirees. This culturally rich city, worms it’s way into the hearts of expats without them knowing. Enjoy carnivals, a vibrant nightlife, and the many gastronomic experiences as you stay in this city. Just keep in mind that the longer you stay in Madrid, the harder it would be to leave.
Get ready to get your party on in this city for the nightlife is one hell of an experience. Head over to Gran Via after midnight and party to your heart out before it reverts back into a calm setting in the morning. Or if you are a family oriented person, relocate your troops to Salamanca where good schools are within close proximity, all the while staying near the center of Madrid. Alternatively, you can also relocate to Chambery and Retiro. Both these places are near enough to Madrid but have a relatively quiet and private neighborhood. All three places mentioned are within easy access to the basic and necessary amenities and services.
Check out properties in El Viso if you are not afraid of spending a small fortune in renting or owning a property that has a more residential environment. This is the only available urban area near the center of Madrid that offers house properties instead of the more typical apartment.
Outdoor bars and cafés litter the city streets where you can enjoy the hot summer climate the country has. In the heart of the city, you can dine in “The Roof Café by Hotel Me Madrid” where you can get a great view of the city in a terrace style setting. Head over to the “Sabatini Terrace” and enjoy dining on tapas while looking at a spectacular view of the Royal Palace.
Get a more kid-friendly drink menu of milkshakes in the solarium terrace styled “Gymage Lounge” any time of any day. The “La Cantina by the Matadero Film Library” specializes in natural and healthy food which is perfect for people who are looking for healthier meal options.
Spend a week in this city and you’ll instantly fall in love with it. Madrid worms its way into the heart while Barcelona hits you right in the face with its beauty and charm. This is the reason why it is where the most number of tourists can be accounted for.
Visit the Aquarium of Barcelona to get a peek of the Mediterranean marine life that Spain has or head over to the Picasso Museum to feast your eyes on more than 4,000 works of the acclaimed artist. Book a tour at the Park Gűell to enjoy the architectural wonders this garden city has all designed by a very visionary architect Antoni Gaudi. If you are into sports, you can book a tour of the FC Barcelona Stadium and see the locker rooms, facilities and the field of Camp Nou stadium.
End your tour in one of the many cafés in the city and enjoy a true European coffee. One café named “Satan’s Coffee Corner” can be found tucked in the jungle of buildings in the Gotic district of Barcelona offers the public Japanese breakfast and doughnuts. Their coffee is tasty and is made from a Slayer espresso machine.
Never let Madrid and Barcelona stop you from considering this place. It has great infrastructure, facilities, entertainment, nightlife, and cultural events. Most expats and even digital nomads love this place to bits because of the high quality of life it offers. People are very welcoming and warm towards expats and tourists making it a wonderful place to settle in.
You’ll have a better sense of how prosperous this city is back in the days when you visit “The Plaza del Reina or Queen’s place” and the “Plaza Ayuntamiento or Town Hall”. Churches litter this city as this is a very religious Catholic country.
Valencia is considered as the Paella capital of Spain and you can learn to cook this rice-based cuisine in “The Escuela de Arroces y Paella Valenciana” under the supervision of a certified chef. This city also has an attraction called the “The City of Arts and Sciences”, where you can enjoy the Oceonografic, the Science Museum, as well as the IMAX Dome in the Hemisferic.
The culture trip named some best cafés to visit while in this city. Known for their themed events, Café de las Horas is located near the central plaza of the city where you can enjoy both cocktails in the evening or coffee and tea during the day. The “Mayan Coffees” apparently serves the best coffee in town and the interior is inspired by both Mayan and Guatemalan culture. Knowledgeable baristas in this café will be glad to help you choose the right kind of coffee for you.
Enjoy horchata, a sugary drink made from tiger nuts served cold, in “Horchateria de Santa Catalina” during hot summer days. It is very similar to a milkshake and is equally refreshing and nutritious. This café also serves coffee, tea, and hot chocolate during cooler weather.
According to Trip Advisor, Spain is one of the safest European countries to visit or settle in back in 2014. Very little is reported about the number of major crimes are recorded in this country. However, there are petty crimes like pickpocket theft in crowded places like the metro and major tourist destinations. However, a more recent update showed that Spain has become a haven for petty crimes.
It is recommended that you avoid walking an empty street alone, especially if you are a tourist and to only use ATM machines located in banks to discourage theft and avoid getting your card skimmed. Never entertain women who are offering you flowers or rosemaries, or young women who are asking for your signature for a good cause. Both are usually, pickpocket experts. In Barcelona, it is recommended to never leave your valuables inside your vehicle, especially if you park your car on the street.
As with any other foreign destination, there will always be safety concerns and Spain is no different. Most pickpockets are targeting foreign nationals, particularly tourists who do not speak Spanish. The police force in this country is not as helpful when it comes to reporting petty crimes and would do almost everything to avoid filing and registering your complaint.
It is best that you take extra precaution and be vigilant when visiting this place because as of March 2019, The Travel State Gov under the U.S. Department Of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs issued a level two travel advisory (Exercise Increased Caution due to terrorism) for Spain. Monitor local news for any breaking events and make sure to adjust your plans accordingly.
U.S. Citizens may enter Spain for up to 90 days as a tourist or on official business without a visa. Before entering the country, make sure that your passport is valid for an additional three months after your scheduled stay in the country. Ample amount of funding and a return ticket must also be present upon entry to the country. As for applying for citizenship in this country, retirees can apply for any of the following visas.
Submit all the necessary documents personally to the nearest Spanish embassy in your area. The process can take as long as three months but once your application is approved, you are given one month to personally collect your entry visa and three months to set foot in Spain. This initial visa is valid for only one year.
In addition to the requirements for a non-lucrative visa, as an investor or a self-employed individual you also need to submit the following:
The same requirement for a personal appearance must be made when passing the requirements. It can also take up to three months to process with the same one month period to collect the documents and three months to validate the entry visa by entering Spain.
Since this is a type of visa that is intended for business ventures, the person who holds this type of visa needs to set up his business in three months, starting from the date he enters the country.b This individual also needs to register with the Seguridad Social which is Spain’s social security system.
This is a bit tricky for the local company who will be employing a foreigner into their fold because of the several requirements they must meet and provide for the individual to be issued a working permit. Once all the requirements are met by the company the individual being employed must then go to a Spanish Embassy to submit the necessary documents.
These documents must be submitted to the Spanish Embassy within 90 days of the approval. It can take three months to process the application with a one month period to collect the visa and three months to enter Spain.
Official documents such as marriage certificate, birth certificate, professional certification, and academic diplomas must be translated to Spanish and authenticated for the Spanish authorities to accept it.
2013 marked the year where the growth of the real estate market industry of Spain saw a continued growth up to this day. In fact, a 7% overall increase in the Spanish property market was recorded by the end of 2018.
A property in the prime market located at the heart of Madrid that features six bedrooms, a private pool and garden, 24/7 private security, and greenhouse area all in a 4-story structure is listed for almost $4 million. A more reasonably priced property located at Miraflores de la Sierra with two floors, five bedrooms, garden and a space for a gazebo is listed for only a little over $504,000.
In Barcelona, one of the lowest priced properties is listed for $176,000. This penthouse style property features only one bedroom, one bathroom and a total of 409 square foot floor area with close proximity to public transportation. A more high-end property in this city is listed at almost $8 million in price. Located cat Catalonia, this property boasts a five bedroom, garden and a fully updated kitchen all in a total floor space of 753 square foot.
Valencia offers prime properties as well as mid-range ones to possible investors. Prime properties listed in this area ranges from anywhere between $1 million to $9 million depending on the size, location and additional features of the property. Mid-range properties are priced at around $80,000 up to $200,000 depending on the house features, location, and size.
For expats in Spain, healthcare in this country is ranked among the highest in the World. The public healthcare system offers universal coverage and no upfront cash payment from their patients. To give you a better perspective, World Health Organization conducted a study in 2015 and found that women in Spain are outliving other nationalities (except Japanese), reaching the golden age of 85 years or sometimes more.
90% of the population are using the system so be sure to arm yourself with some private healthcare alternative if you are not up for long lines and waits. However, you do not require private insurance to get treated in this country. Spain offers top-notch hospitals, state healthcare services, and healthcare centers to all, including expats.
It is always a good idea to combine the public healthcare system with some private health insurance in getting the best of both worlds. The private healthcare system can expedite non-emergency procedures and treatments for a small fortune. Expats who are residents in the country and are signed up and paying their social security dues are entitled to the state’s free healthcare program.
Here are some of the most prominent private insurance companies you can look at if you are planning to sign up.
Retirees spending their golden years in this country can opt for some state or private nursing homes. State provided ones have very limited spots and have a long waiting list. Private nursing homes are open to the elderly who have enough income to cover the expenses. They provide 24-hr nursing services for a fee of anywhere between $2,300 to $5,700 per month. (yikes!)
Spain is a very religious country with Roman Catholicism being the predominant one. Schools are integrated with religion back in the days but now, students are given a choice between a religion or ethics class. Islam, Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism are also religions that are seen in this country.
Spain can be described as a Western country, with strong historic ties to Catholicism. Spanish life, culture, and belief are very much influenced by their Roman heritage. Catholicism played an essential role in the formation of the country’s identity but the constant waves of foreign invaders have given this country other forms of influences evident in their architecture, cuisine, music, and arts.
Expect to eat a generous amount of seafood as it is a staple in the Spanish cuisine. Mediterranean Spain is the heaviest user of seafood and is very famous for its rice-based dishes called paella and arros negre.
Further inland of the country, the cuisine transforms into a different style. Hot, thick soup served with garlic bread and hearty stews such as the cocido madrileño. You’ll find foods that are preserved by salting or being immersed in olive oil.
The Atlantic part of this country also has a different cuisine style. Veggies and fish-based stews are a staple here. You’ll also find that seafood is very much incorporated in every meal but if you are craving for some meat, might I suggest their lightly cure bacon ham.
Find a guided tour that would let you enjoy the Royal Palace without worry. Most tours last about 2 hours. See where the royals of Spain past and present reside as you tour their home. Feast your eyes on numerous art decor made by famous artists and enjoy historic tapestries, ornate swords, and life-size armors as you walk the halls of the palace. Visit the throne room, banquet hall and private royal apartments to get a feel of the world within the palace.
One of the 47 World Heritage that Spain has, touring this mosque-cathedral will showcase the religious history of Cordoba and beautiful architecture the structure has. A guided tour in this location will buy you some historical inputs such as the seven evolution the monument went through before it achieved its current state, from your guide.
Alcazar is one of Europe’s oldest palaces being used up to this date. It is also one of the 47 World Heritage that Spain is famous for a blend different architectures and for being a filming set for the famous TV show Game of Thrones. A guided tour will let you walk the Patio del Leon which is where the original Moorish palace was situated. Enjoy looking at the detailed and vibrantly colored tiles in the Ambassador’s Salon where the hit TV series Game of Thrones filmed. Tapestries and ornate tilings are some of the art that you can see in this palace.
Prado Museum houses numerous paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures and decorative art since it opened in 1819. These pieces of art reflect the rich history and cultural heritage of Spain. This collection is one of the finest art collections in Europe and has been gathering more and more tourists every year.
Officially known as Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, this museum houses work from Juan Gris, Lorca Bunuel, and Salvador Dali. Different rooms are dotted with arts from well-known artists of the land. Let your guide immerse you with anecdotes and history regarding the pieces in this museum. This is where the famous painting of Picasso – El Guernica – is displayed. Take your sweet time in looking closely at this one to distinguish the motifs and characters the great Picasso materialized through the artwork.
Spain is rich in history and is a great place to visit but it also is a good place to spend your twilight years. The people here are welcoming and the cost of living is cheaper than in the U.S. It has great infrastructure and getting around the major city is easy through their metro system. The tropical climate, beautiful beaches, and historical destinations attract retirees to settle here. Retiring in this place can be very enjoyable as the healthcare system is top-notch and nursing homes that provide 24/7 care is available. Don’t just take our word for it, we encourage you to visit this place and discover the hidden gems of the country on your own.
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