Spain has topped InterNations’ 2026 Quality of Life Index for the fifth consecutive year. The survey covers 31 countries and measures how expats rate practical and everyday aspects of life, including leisure, healthcare, transport, safety, and the local environment.
The findings point to a picture that will feel familiar to many people living in Spain: day-to-day life is shaped not by one single factor, but by the combination of food, culture, sport, climate and opportunities to spend time outdoors.
Spain comes first in the Expat Quality of Life Index
InterNations’ Quality of Life Index is part of its 2026 Expat Insider results. It is based on expat opinions across five subcategories: travel and transit, safety and security, leisure options, healthcare and environment and climate.
Quality of life is a reason many expats choose Spain
One in five expats in Spain, or 20%, say they relocated for a better quality of life. That compares with 9% globally. Retirement is also cited more often in Spain than across the wider survey:
- 8% of expats in Spain moved to retire abroad
- 4% did so globally
The longer-term outlook is similarly positive. 41% of expats in Spain say they want to remain there forever, compared with 27% globally.
Taken together, these figures suggest that lifestyle plays an important part in why respondents moved to Spain and in how they view their future there.
Leisure options are one of Spain’s clearest strengths
Spain ranks 2nd in the Leisure Options Subcategory. This part of the index looks at three elements of everyday free time:
- Culture and nightlife
- Culinary variety and dining options
- Opportunities for recreational sports
Spain is placed 2nd for culture and nightlife, as well as 2nd for recreational sports opportunities. These results sit alongside the wider ranking and help explain why leisure is such a strong feature of Spain’s overall quality-of-life score.
Food and dining in Spain
Dining options receive particularly positive feedback from respondents. 87% of expats in Spain praise the country’s culinary variety and dining options, while the global average is 75%.
Climate and weather receive high ratings
Spain is ranked 2nd for climate and weather in the 2026 results.
- 89% of respondents are satisfied with Spain’s climate and weather.
- The equivalent global figure is 58%.
Spain also ranks 5th in the broader Environment & Climate Subcategory. This measure goes beyond weather, taking in satisfaction with the natural and urban environment, air quality, green goods and services, and government support for environmental protection policies.
Healthcare and everyday mobility strengthen Spain’s result
Healthcare ranks 4th for expats in Spain, adding another strong score to the country’s overall quality-of-life result.
- Around four in five respondents rate medical care positively for affordability (80%, compared with 61% globally), availability (83% versus 71%) and quality (83% versus 71%).
Spain ranks 7th for Travel & Transit.
- Public transport is rated as affordable, placing 6th, while 93% of expats give positive ratings for opportunities to travel, against 84% globally.
- Getting about locally also receives favourable feedback: 87% say it is easy and safe to travel on foot or by bicycle, compared with 78% worldwide.
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