What people wish they’d known

Most British people who move to Spain love the lifestyle. But the same few surprises come up again and again, and most are about paperwork, language and money rather than the weather.

1. Paperwork runs on appointments

Almost every official step needs a booked appointment (cita previa): registering on the town hall register (padrón), getting your residence card (TIE), and renewing it. GOV.UK says it can be difficult for some British nationals to get a TIE appointment, and that the British Embassy and Consulates have asked the Spanish authorities to improve availability. Its advice is to check the booking system regularly.

• Book only through official websites. Never pay someone for an appointment slot
• Authorities often ask for a padrón certificate issued within the last 3 months, so you may need fresh copies
• Set up a Spanish digital identity early: Cl@ve lets you sign in to many government services online, and you can register by video call, letter, in person or with a digital certificate
• Many people pay a gestor (a licensed agent for admin and tax paperwork). GOV.UK points to the national register of gestores
• See NIE, TIE and padrón

2. Rents have risen fast

Alicante rose 5.9%, Málaga 3.9% and Valencia 3.1%. A middle-of-the-range 2-bed flat in Madrid comes to about €2,050 a month (about £1,740) in our calculator data. Budget for a short let while you search. See Renting a home in Spain and the cost of living calculator.

3. Spanish is not optional

Spanish is the official language everywhere, and Catalan or Valencian are also official in Barcelona, Palma, Valencia and Alicante. Official forms, contracts and most dealings with the council, schools and doctors are in Spanish or the regional language. Learning early makes everything from paperwork to friendships easier.

4. Summer heat is serious

Average July highs (AEMET): Madrid 32°C, Palma 31°C, Málaga 31°C, Alicante and Valencia 30°C, Barcelona 28°C. Heatwaves go higher. The FCDO advises checking AEMET warnings and notes that wildfires are common in summer: causing one is a criminal offence even if it was an accident. See Summer in Spain.

5. The day runs later

Lunch is usually 13:00 to 16:00 and dinner 20:00 to 22:30 or later. Some shops close from 14:00 to 17:00, especially in summer, and Sunday is the usual closing day. Concerts and shows start at 20:00 to 21:00, later in summer.

6. Summer slows everything down

Spanish workers get at least 30 calendar days’ paid holiday, and 15 August is a national holiday. Allow extra time for paperwork over the summer holidays, and plan important steps for other months if you can. See Working in Spain.

7. Pay is lower than you’re used to

The median salary in Spain was €24,497 in 2024 (about £20,760), compared with a UK full-time median of £39,039. Bringing income with you (remote work, a pension, savings) or arriving with a job already agreed makes the numbers easier. Compare carefully with the pay calculator.