Is Spain a good country for expats?

According to expats.

Thinking about moving to Spain?

It’s an exciting change – but there’s certainly a lot to think about.

How will the relocation alter your day-to-day routine? Will it impact your family? What will it mean for your finances and career prospects? How will it affect your quality of life? Do the local healthcare services meet your current needs? Are there any good international schools nearby?

All big questions that it’s worth considering before you sell up and jump on a plane.

Perhaps the insight of others who have already relocated will help with your decision?

InterNations – an expat community with more than 4.8 million members – recently published the results of its annual Expat Insider Survey, which has now been running for over a decade.

More than 12,000 respondents were surveyed from 53 countries, and asked to rate their satisfaction level with various aspects of their life as an expat, including quality of life, ease of settling in, working abroad, personal finances and expat essentials (such as housing, language, digital life, etc.)

The results reveal the best and worst countries for expats – and, spoiler alert, Spain fared well.

Generally speaking, expats in Spain are pretty smitten with their new life in sunny España. If you dream of sipping sangria at your own luxury property in the Costa del Sol, read on – as this could be the encouragement you need to finally take the leap and contact our specialists.

Spain – the best country for expats to live and work in Europe

It seems the key to happiness as an expat is… a sombrero.

For the second year in a row, the results of the survey have placed Mexico in first position. Overall, 91% of expats said they were happy with their lives in Mexico – with most particularly appreciating the welcoming culture, strong support network and affordable cost of living.

But Spain was certainly hot on its heels.

This year, a remarkable 87% of expats living in Spain expressed contentment with their lives – far exceeding the global average of 72%. As a result, Spain secured second place overall out of the 53 countries. It was also the only European country – aside from Portugal – to make the top 10.

Let’s take a closer look at exactly why it got top marks.

Quality of life

Since the first Expat Insider Survey in 2014, Spain has consistently featured in the top 10 countries for quality of life – and in 2023, it managed to defend its 2022 spot at the very top of the podium.

This is primarily due to the fantastic leisure options. Over nine in ten expats (91%) said they were happy with the opportunity for recreational sports, as well as the culinary variety on offer (89%) and the county’s overall culture and nightlife (88%).

Expats also appreciate the affordability, availability and quality of medical care, public transportation options and travel opportunities. Unsurprisingly, Spain’s year-round sunshine is the cherry on top, with 3 in 5 expats (60%) giving the country’s spectacular climate the best possible rating.

Ease of settling in

Spain narrowly missed out on a spot in the top 10 for ease of settling in – coming in at 12th. However, it did secure 6th place in the ‘culture and welcome’ subcategory of this index.

España’s warm and welcoming nature has clearly had a positive impact on expats’ sense of belonging. Around four out of five (80%) of the expats surveyed said they feel at home in Spain, which is 18% higher than the global average of 62% and a testament to its friendly atmosphere.

Working abroad

This is the only category in which Spain was rated below the global average.

Ranking 34^th overall, less than half of expats (49%) agreed that moving to Spain had improved their career prospects – and, unfortunately, 36% said they were unhappy with the local job market.

However, even in its ‘worst’ category, there were still some positives. Spain ranked 10^th place in the ‘work and leisure’ subcategory, and this was largely attributed to satisfaction with work-life balance. A notable 73% of expats expressed contentment in this area, surpassing the global average of 63%.

Personal finances

Again, Spain held its own in the personal finance index – ranking 13th out of the 53 countries.

Overall, it seems expats in Spain are satisfied with the health of their finances.

More than two in three expats (69%) surveyed said they were happy with the general cost of living, compared to only 44% globally. A statistic that reflects the fact that, despite the excellent quality of life and luxurious nature of many popular resorts, Spain is a relatively affordable place to live.

Expat essentials index

Spain claimed a respectable 16th position in the expat essentials index, particularly excelling in the ‘affordability of housing’ subcategory – where it secured an impressive 13th place.

Got the reassurance you needed?

You’ve heard it straight from the horse’s expats’ mouth.

Thanks to its warm hospitality, rich culture, and favourable financial prospects, plus the outstanding quality of life it can offer, Spain has made a lasting impression on its existing residents.

For 2023, it’s certainly held onto its title as one of the best destinations for those looking to relocate.

If you’re interested in moving to Spain and buying a home in the sunshine, we can help. Here at Bromley Estates, we’re not your average real estate agency.

Thanks to our extensive collaboration network, we have access to all properties for sale in the Costa del Sol and continuously update our listings with the latest new developments, villas, townhouses, apartments and land plots. Whatever your wish list, you’re bound to find a home that suits you.

We have excellent knowledge of the Spanish property market and are fluent in eight different languages, so we can guide you – quickly and smoothly – through the full buying process, liaising on your behalf where necessary and keeping you up to date at all times.

Plus, we also offer a fantastic after-sales service. Once you’ve completed the sale and relocated to Spain, we can continue to offer our support – recommending reputable companies and advising on local amenities – to ensure the transition is as smooth as it can be and help you to settle into your new life in the sun.

We’ve assisted countless expats in finding their dream property in Spain, and we could do the same for you. All you have to do is get in touch.

To take the first step, simply give us a call on +34 952 939 460 (+44 208 068 7606), or send an email to info@bromleyestatesmarbella.com and we’ll respond as soon as possible.