city scale under blue sky

Europe & Central Asia

Spain

Moderate cost
Mild climate
High income

Quick highlights

  • Capital: Madrid
  • Income level: High income
  • Currency: EUR
Cost band
Moderate
Climate
Mild
Languages
Basque, Catalan, Galician, Spanish
English official
No

Country ranking

7.5 / 107.5

Cost of living & financial considerations

Moderate costs in Madrid and Valencia with strong daily services. Great health in cities.

Estimated monthly total

$1,780-$2,650

/ month

Housing (capital, 1BR)

$1,400/month

Madrid central areas drive rent premium

Housing (countryside, 1BR)

$900/month

Inland towns offer value long lets

Food (home cooking)

$350/month

Markets make fresh food affordable

Food (eating out)

$720/month

Menú del día helps but daily spend

Healthcare

$240/month

Private insurance widely priced mid-range

Transport

$120/month

Metro+buses | few rideshare trips

Utilities + internet

$170/month

Moderate power prices | fiber common

Financial overall
Sources: WB | IMF
6 / 106
Moderate costs in Madrid and Valencia with strong daily services. Great health in cities.
Financial: Tax
Sources: OECD | WB
7 / 107
Treaties common but paperwork is formal.
Financial: Prices & housing
Sources: Numbeo | WB
6 / 106
Good value outside top tourist neighborhoods.
Financial: Banking
Sources: WB Findex
8 / 108
Reliable banking with some fees and branch visits.
Financial: Monthly budget
Sources: Numbeo
6 / 106
A comfortable budget is moderate by EU standards.

Healthcare access & quality

Best private care is in Madrid and Valencia. Outside hubs provider depth drops.

Healthcare overall
Sources: WHO | OECD
8 / 108
Best private care is in Madrid and Valencia. Outside hubs provider depth drops.
Healthcare: Infrastructure
Sources: WHO
8 / 108
Hospitals strongest in major cities.
Healthcare: Insurance
Sources: WHO | OECD
7 / 107
Public coverage varies and private plans fill gaps.
Healthcare: Services & meds
Sources: WHO
8 / 108
Common meds available but some imports cost more.
Healthcare: Wait times
Sources: OECD
7 / 107
Private appointments faster than public waits.

Safety & stability

Safety in Madrid and Valencia varies by area. Great health in cities.

Safety overall
Sources: WB WGI | UNODC
8 / 108
Safety in Madrid and Valencia varies by area. Great health in cities.
Safety: Policies
Sources: WB WGI
8 / 108
Enforcement strongest in central districts.
Safety: Crime prevention
Sources: UNODC
8 / 108
Petty theft risk depends on neighborhood.
Safety: Legal framework
Sources: WB WGI
8 / 108
Rule of law is workable but slow processes exist.
Safety: Emergency prep
Sources: UNDRR
8 / 108
Emergency response best in cities and hazards need planning.

Climate & environment

Climate comfort is a daily driver. Great health in cities.

Climate overall
Sources: WHO | UNEP
7 / 107
Climate comfort is a daily driver. Great health in cities.
Climate: Weather comfort
Sources: NOAA
7 / 107
Seasonality and humidity shape comfort.
Climate: Air & water
Sources: WHO
7 / 107
Air quality can affect daily routines.
Climate: Nature & greenspace
Sources: UNEP
7 / 107
Nature access is best near coasts mountains or parks.
Climate: Environmental policy
Sources: OECD | UNEP
8 / 108
Environmental enforcement varies by region.

Social & community infrastructure

Expat networks concentrate in Madrid and Valencia. Great health in cities.

Social overall
Sources: UNDP
7 / 107
Expat networks concentrate in Madrid and Valencia. Great health in cities.
Social: Networks
Sources: UNDP
7 / 107
Social life easiest in expat districts.
Social: Clubs
Sources: UNDP
7 / 107
Clubs and meetups mostly in large cities.
Social: Language help
Sources: UNDP
7 / 107
Translation help exists but local language helps most.
Social: Amenities
Sources: UNDP
7 / 107
Recreation strongest in hubs and tourist regions.
Social: Food
Sources: UNDP
8 / 108
Dining variety best in major cities.
Social: Entertainment
Sources: UNDP
6 / 106
Entertainment options scale with city size.

Infrastructure & logistics

Connectivity and services strongest in Madrid and Valencia. Great health in cities.

Infrastructure overall
Sources: WB | ITU
8 / 108
Connectivity and services strongest in Madrid and Valencia. Great health in cities.
Infrastructure: Transit
Sources: WB
8 / 108
Public transport best in big cities.
Infrastructure: Roads
Sources: WB
8 / 108
Road quality varies by region.
Infrastructure: Mobility mix
Sources: WB
8 / 108
Rideshare helps in cities while cars help outside.
Infrastructure: Internet
Sources: ITU
8 / 108
Broadband and mobile quality best in urban areas.
Infrastructure: Housing quality
Sources: UN Habitat
7 / 107
Housing quality varies by building age and location.
Infrastructure: Utilities
Sources: WB
8 / 108
Utilities reliability varies and outages can happen.

Legal & administrative ease

Residency planning matters for long stays. Great health in cities.

Legal overall
Sources: WB | OECD
8 / 108
Residency planning matters for long stays. Great health in cities.
Legal: Visa/residency
Sources: IOM
8 / 108
Visa rules can change and proof of income matters.
Legal: Documentation
Sources: WB
8 / 108
Notarization and translations are common steps.
Legal: Estate/inheritance
Sources: OECD
8 / 108
Estate planning needs local advice for foreigners.
Legal: Admin procedures
Sources: WB
8 / 108
Administrative processes can be slow and in person.
Legal: Bureaucracy
Sources: WB
7 / 107
Paperwork friction is a regular complaint.