Cost of living

If you're weighing up a move to southern Europe, Spain and Portugal are two of the most appealing destinations for expats and retirees alike. Both countries offer beautiful weather, historic cities, a relaxed pace of life, and world-renowned cuisine.

Air conditioning has become essential in many homes, especially during periods of extreme heat.

Tucked away high in the Pyrenees, Andorra is one of those places that tends to fly under the radar, but it's got more than a few tricks up its sleeve for anyone thinking about living here.

Imagine if you could get paid just for deciding to settle in a particular Spanish village. It might sound a little far-fetched, but in some corners of Spain, it’s become a genuine offer.

Tucked along Catalonia’s golden coastline, Salou has a way of drawing people in—whether it’s for the promise of sandy beaches, a bit of sunshine through the winter months, or the slower pace of life away from the bustle of cities. For anyone thinking about living in Salou, it’s not all package

Over the past year, the percentage of household income needed for housing rose to 23% for purchases and 36% for rentals, according to an idealista study based on Q1 2025 data.

There are many considerations for those exploring the potential of a new life in Spain.

Choosing to live in Madrid is taking a step towards a vibrant life in the heart of Spain. This article aims to ease your transition to the Spanish capital by providing you with all the information you need to make your Madrid experience a rewarding and smooth one.

President Pedro Sánchez of Spain has announced a state aid package valued at €10.6 billion for areas impacted by recent storms, known as "DANA" in Spanish. This support will be extended as further needs are identified. The package comprises direct aid along with tax and labour measures.

The percentage of household income needed to access a home grew to 23.1% for buying and up to 35.7% for renting during the last year, according to a study published by idealista based on Q2 2024 data. The lack of supply and the consequent increase in prices is why the rent burden has reached the maximum recommended by experts with an increase of four points in the last year.

The average gross salary in the Spanish economy gained 1.5% in purchasing power in 2023 after rising by 5.1% to an all-time high of €1,914 per month, according to a study by The Adecco Group Institute, the Adecco Group's research and dissemination centre.

Madrid and Barcelona are among the 30 most expensive European cities for expat professionals, as both cities have become more expensive for the second consecutive year in 2024, according to Mercer's annual ranking. Madrid and Barcelona ranked 30th and 25th in Europe, respectively, while globally th

Being aware of the evolution of electricity prices is crucial at both a personal and business level.

Thinking of moving to Spain? If the coast isn't your thing and you're looking for city life, then Spain's capital city, Madrid, is an excellent option.

Given the difficulties finding stable and well-paid work, the high cost of housing, and the stress of living in the big city, more and more young (and not so young) people are considering leaving the big urban centres and making a radical change in their lives, moving to one of the many small villag

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has revised its growth forecast for Spain upwards by one-tenth of a percentage point in 2024, which it now estimates at 1.5%, after the 2.5% growth in 2023, while it maintains expectations of a rebound in activity to 2% by 2025. The

The real per capita income of Spanish households recorded a decline of 2.09% in the third quarter of 2023 compared with the previous three months, a reading well below the 0.2% decrease for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) as a whole, positioning Spain at the head of

If you're thinking of moving to Spain and want to look for a job, knowing the average monthly salary in Spain is a good place to start. The average salary in Spain has set a record at €1,822 in 2022.

Spain is the second country in Europe where shopping basket spending increased the most in the first quarter of 2023, just behind Portugal, according to data from NIQ's 'Quarter by numbers' report for Western Europe. Specifically, sales in value in Spain during the first quarter grew by 11.2%, seco

The latest employment data published by the Spanish government seem to be a double-edged sword.

As long as the current economic situation persists and the Portuguese government continues with its zero VAT policy, it is expected that residents of Spanish border regions will continue to travel across the border to save money.

After over a year of negotiations, the Spanish government has finally approved its highly anticipated Family Law, known in Spain as the Ley de Familias, which includes provisions such as extended paid leave for caring for sick children and a new monthly child benefit of 100 euros.

Spaniards spent 12.4% more in February on their food shopping than a year earlier, with a 15.4% increase in average prices and a 2.6% drop in volume sales, offsetting the fall compared to January, according to data published by the consultancy firm NIQ. More specifically, for yet another month, foo

At the beginning of the year, the Spanish government introduced a new benefit for mothers of young children (aged 0 to 3), which amounts to 1,200 euros per year.

As with other products that have gone global, such as McDonald's Big Mac or Coca-Cola soft drinks, the price varies greatly depending on which country you are in. The map below shows a quick glance at the price of a Tall Latte, the star of the Seattle-based chain Starbucks.