Living in Spain

If you live in Spain already or you’re planning a longer-term move, the latest Eurostat projections sketch out the sort of country you’ll be growing older in.

Thinking about living in Spain, buying a home here or retiring on the Costa del Sol?

Spanish bureaucracy can feel complex due to multiple administrative layers, paperwork requirements and slower processes.

If you are planning to live or work in Spain, one of the first administrative steps you will encounter is getting a Social Security number, known as the Número de la Seguridad Social (NUSS).

There’s a Spanish city that has just ranked 13th worldwide in the Quality of Life Index 2026, placing it firmly among the top-performing cities on the planet.

For decades, the image of British expats in Spain revolved around retirees settling along the Costa del Sol or Costa Blanca. That picture is changing.

For many Irish citizens, relocating to Spain is incredibly appealing.

Moving to Spain with pets in 2026 is perfectly doable, but it’s one of those things that rewards organisation. The rules are clear, paperwork matters, and timing is everything. Get it right and your pet can settle into Spanish life without drama.

With a different pace of life, lower living costs and access to European culture and travel, moving to Spain from the US continues to be a popular option for those seeking change. However, moving to Spain involves more than simply choosing a location.

In sparsely populated inland Spain, the village of Arenillas is testing a very direct response to rural decline.

If you’re moving to Spain, one of the first everyday things you’ll notice is how different the supermarket scene feels. Food is taken seriously here.

If you’re moving to Spain with a dog, the process is straightforward — but you must follow EU pet import rules carefully.Dogs entering Spain must:Be microchipped (ISO compliant)Have a valid rabies vaccinationWait 21 days after vaccination before travelTravel with the correct documentation (EU Pet Pa

A recent court ruling in Galicia has confirmed that a homeowners’ association can enforce a ban on pets when that restriction has been properly approved and formally included in the community bylaws.

Spain isn’t just about historic cities and good food. What tends to stay with people is the rhythm of daily life — how people eat, socialise, celebrate and organise their time. Many of the Spanish customs foreigners love aren’t grand traditions, but small, everyday habits that slowly win them over.

Moving to Spain sounds romantic until you’re knee‑deep in paperwork and trying to open a bank account without the right number. A proper moving to Spain checklist makes the whole process far less stressful.These are the essentials you’ll actually need to sort out when relocating to Spain.1.

Spain ranks among the countries with the highest life expectancy in the world. According to data compiled by Visual Capitalist using figures from the United Nations and the International Monetary Fund, it places second among the 30 largest economies, with an average life expectancy of 84 years, just behind Japan.

English has long been a weak point in Spain – but one city stands out for exactly the opposite reason. That is the conclusion of the latest international report by Education First, a leading authority on English proficiency.In its most recent edition, one city clearly tops the Spanish ranking.

Spain now has more than five million foreign residents registered, and the appeal hasn’t faded.

Spain’s public healthcare system has a strong reputation inside the country, and the latest official data show that it is not just a safety net, but the default option for most people who live there. According to the Barómetro Sanitario 2025, prepared by Spain’s Ministry of Health and the Centr

Banking leads Spain’s highest-paying professions in 2026, with management and specialist roles reaching €250,000 a year, according to LHH Recruitment Solutions’ Salary Guide. Digital and e‑commerce roles also offer high pay, with digital directors earning up to €180,000 plus 30% variable in multinationals, and €130,000 plus 30% variable in SMEs.

Spain has the highest share of flat dwellers in the EU. In 2024, 65.3% of its population lived in multi-family homes, compared with 34.7% in single-family houses, according to Eurostat.

Barcelona remains one of Europe’s most talked‑about cities for good reason. Sea on one side, hills on the other, and modernist architecture on nearly every corner.

With the arrival of spring, the days begin to lengthen and natural light gradually replaces the darkness of winter. Evenings grow brighter – and little by little, routines shift to make the most of the extra daylight.

The gap between Spain’s capital city and the rest of the country has widened considerably. Madrid isn’t just expensive now, it’s eye-watering.

Ryanair is cutting 11% of flights from Girona-Costa Brava Airport this summer amid a dispute over rising airport fees. The reduction could mean fewer routes and higher fares for expats and Costa Brava residents, making early booking and alternative airport options increasingly important.