Is Spain right for you?

Spain is close to home, sunny and already home to a large British community. But since Brexit you need a visa to live there, everyday life runs in Spanish, and salaries are lower than in the UK.

Who it tends to suit

Spain’s population reached 49,801,559 on 1 July 2026, a record, and its foreign-national population was 7,437,543 (INE).

Climate by city

Average daytime highs and lows from AEMET, Spain’s weather agency (1981–2010 normals):

July and August are hot everywhere, and Madrid averages 355 hours of sunshine in July. AEMET issues heat, wildfire-risk and storm warnings, and the FCDO notes that wildfires and flash floods happen. See Summer in Spain.

Costs compared with the UK

Spanish pay is lower than British pay. The average salary in Spain was €29,540 in 2024 and the median €24,497 (about £20,760), for all employees (INE). In the UK the median for full-time employees was £39,039 in April 2025 (ONS). Rents in the big cities have climbed: idealista put Madrid at €23.4 per m² a month in September 2026, Barcelona €20.1, Palma €19.6, Málaga €16.5, Valencia €16.3 and Alicante €13.9. Try the cost of living calculator and read Cost of living in Spain.

Language

Spanish (castellano) is the official language everywhere. Under the Constitution, other languages are also official in their regions: Catalan in Catalonia and the Balearics (Barcelona, Palma) and Valencian in the Valencian Community (Valencia, Alicante). Forms, contracts, doctors and schools mostly work in Spanish or the regional language, so plan to learn.

Visas since Brexit, at a glance

• Visiting: up to 90 days in any 180 across the Schengen area. The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) now records your fingerprints and photo at the border
• Living there: a national visa, then a residence card (TIE: foreigner identity card). Main routes are work (sponsored by a Spanish employer), highly qualified or EU Blue Card, digital nomad (remote work for employers outside Spain), non-lucrative (enough income without working), study and family
• The investor or “golden” visa was abolished from 3 April 2025
• If you lived in Spain before 1 January 2021, you have Withdrawal Agreement rights; the TIE is the document that proves them
• Full detail: Visa routes to Spain

Healthcare

Residents must register for healthcare. If you work and pay Spanish social security, you and your dependants use the public system on the same basis as Spaniards. If you draw a UK State Pension, you may be able to get a UK S1 form, which the UK pays for. Others need private insurance at first, can join the public scheme for a monthly fee (convenio especial) after a year on the town hall register (padrón), or qualify after 5 years as permanent residents. Most residents pay 10% to 60% of the cost of prescriptions. See Healthcare in Spain.

Pace of life

• Days run later: restaurants usually serve lunch from 13:00 to 16:00 and dinner from 20:00 to 22:30, later in summer and in big cities (spain.info)
• Shops often open 10:00 to 21:00, and some close from 14:00 to 17:00, especially in summer. Sunday is the usual closing day
• There are 9 national holidays in 2026, plus regional and local ones. See Public holidays
• Expect paperwork to need appointments and patience. See What people wish they’d known

Questions to ask yourselves

1. Which visa route fits us, and do we meet its income or job conditions?
2. Can we earn enough in Spain, or bring income with us?
3. Will we learn Spanish, and the regional language if needed?
4. Can we cope with July and August heat?
5. How will healthcare be covered from day one?
6. If it doesn’t work out, what is our plan to come back?