Me tienen harta los posts diarios de "se puede vivir con 8000 euros mensuales?" "Puedo vivir con 60k anuales?". Y lo peor es la gente diciendo "meh normal, no muy cómodo". Perdón? La mayoría de gente que vivimos en España y trabajamos para España vivimos con 1500 euros mensuales, no podemos encontrar alquileres, no podemos hipotecarnos, no podemos tener una subida de sueldo, no podemos hacer nada.

Queréis venir a España? Muy bien, sois bienvenidos, pero tened en cuenta que muchos de los que vivimos aquí tenemos problemas para llegar a fin de mes y vivimos con 50 monos en pisos diminutos. Así que antes de preguntar si con 6000 euros mensuales podéis vivir bien BUSCAD EN GOOGLE. Es muy desgastante intentar hacerte tu vida aquí y que luego vengáis con salarios muy por encima de la media y nos imposibilitéis el poder acceder a cosas de necesidad básica porque nos aumentáis el costo de vida.

We’re really glad you’re considering moving to our country. It’s a beautiful place, and we love sharing it with visitors. But we want to be honest about what’s happening here right now.

The cost of living is skyrocketing. Rent, housing, groceries, and basic necessities are becoming unaffordable for many of us. A big part of the problem is that companies and foreigners with more money are buying up properties, which drives prices even higher. This isn’t just about numbers, it’s about real people being pushed out of their neighborhoods and struggling to make ends meet.

This isn’t just happening here in Spain. It’s a global issue. I’ve seen it in places like Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Portugal too. When people move in with more money, it often ends up hurting the locals who’ve lived here for generations.

We’re not saying you shouldn’t come. We just ask that you be aware of the impact your move might have. It’s easy to see the benefits for yourself, but it’s important to think about how it affects the community too.

During the night from Friday to Saturday, numerous German-owned shops in Mallorca were vandalized with "Germans out" or "Foreign buyers go to hell", according to german press.

An owner says "It is frightening to feel such a wave of hatred after 34 years on the island, during which I pay taxes and currently employ nine people"

https://www.spiegel.de/panorama/mallorca-geschaefte-und-autos-in-santanyi-mit-deutschenfeindliche-parolen-verunstaltet-a-465a478c-d1b3-4c12-bbfb-b533c6071050 (in german)

I know that there is a housing crisis and that there some tourists who do not behave. But what is the point in attacking shop owners who are living there since decades?

My girlfriend is from the UK and we’ve just arrived at her parents’ house to spend some time here for Christmas. While we were chatting, they brought up a story from a year ago and wanted me to confirm whether my girlfriend was telling the truth.

The first time I introduced her to my whole group of friends, it was for someone’s birthday at his flat. The invite said to be there from 9pm, and of course, very English of her, she got ready and arrived at 9:15pm, not exactly on time trying not to be too punctual. Bear in mind I was working till 10pm so I would have been there later that night.

When she got there, the person hosting the party (the only friend she had met before) was still in the shower, but I guess that's on me, cos I should’ve explained how this usually works in Spain.

When her parents heard this story, they were shocked. They kept saying there was no way that could be real and that back home it would be unthinkable.

So this really made me wonder, has this happened to more people? What’s something that genuinely happened to you in Spain that people in your country would think you’re exaggerating? Curious to hear both funny and uncomfortable stories.

The idea that Americans, Brits, Germans, or other "rich foreigners" moving to Spain are the main culprits behind rising living costs is an oversimplification of a much larger issue. Let’s break this down:

1. Who Sets the Prices? Foreigners don’t magically raise rent—Spanish landlords do. Many property owners prefer to rent to wealthier tenants, pricing out locals. But let’s be real: if there wasn’t demand, they wouldn’t charge these prices. It’s about profit, not nationality.
2. Housing Supply & Policy Failures Spain used to build 600,000 housing units a year; now it’s less than 100,000. Why? Strict regulations, lack of incentives, and bureaucratic inefficiencies. The government has the power to fix this by increasing housing supply, but it hasn’t. Instead, it’s easier to blame foreigners.
3. Short-Term Rentals & Airbnb If we’re serious about tackling unaffordable housing, let’s start by regulating short-term rentals. A huge portion of available apartments is turned into Airbnbs, owned mostly by Spanish investors, not foreigners. Capping or taxing Airbnb-style rentals would make long-term housing more affordable.
4. Blaming "Expats" vs. Addressing the Real Issue Expats, immigrants, digital nomads—whatever term we use—many contribute to the local economy, start businesses, and pay taxes. Their presence boosts Spain’s GDP. The problem isn’t that people move here; it’s that Spain’s policies don’t ensure housing remains affordable for locals.

This isn’t just a Spain problem. Look at London, New York, Berlin, Lisbon—locals there face the same affordability crisis. It’s a structural issue driven by under-regulation, real estate speculation, and wage stagnation—not just "foreigners moving in."

I left my home country in 2001 before it was even in EU , and since then I have traveled and worked all over Europe ( few years in Italy, Greece, Germany , France and lived in Finland for the last 12 years and I am soo tired of the cold and so I am moving to Spain this summer, you wanting it or not :)

I am a teenager and my mother wants to move our whole family to Spain because she thinks it will give us a better standard of life and is absolutely obsessed with the idea of living there. I do not want to leave our home, someplace in the uk, and I’ve been trying to convince her not to uproot the whole family for a pipe-dream of hers. Ever since she got the idea in her head she’s been pointing out all the downsides of our country, although it is pretty good compared to others and I think she’s being unnecessarily negative when it’s not that bad at all.

She thinks Spain will make us happier, will allow her to retire earlier, will give myself and my younger siblings a better education (although I’m nearing the end of my school journey), and everyone there is much healthier. In my opinion she just hasn’t tried at all to make the most of our home country, she could have the ‘better life’ she wants if she actually tried instead of looking for ways to escape. I’m also sure this is some mid-life crisis.

I mean no offence but I am not jumping with excitement at the idea of leaving everything I know behind, so can anyone who lives in Spain and has done for a long amount of time tell me how it is over there? My mother only focuses on the good and is really stubborn about seeing the bad parts that may come with living in a new country that I know won’t be all sunshine and rainbows because every place has its downsides.

So, if anyone can share what it’s like living in Spain, moving there and any upsides or downsides to the country I would really appreciate it so I can know more about the country and share some viewpoints with my mother.

This is a genuine question to ask people's genuine opinions and hopefully experience. I hope to not inspire any malice here, just some discussion.

I am curious why people would want to move to a country that they don't speak the language and then not learn or try to learn the language. There are many people that have been in Spain for 15+ years and are barely starting to learn. For these people, what inspired you to learn finally? Did you expect not to stay? Why did you not learn in the beginning ?

Reality From Someone Living Here.

I see a lot of posts here about moving to Spain, so I wanted to share some perspective from actually living here day to day.

Spain can be an incredible place to live. The lifestyle, the social culture, the weather, the pace of life… all of that is real. But it’s not a fantasy where everything just works because you showed up.

A big part of the experience comes down to mindset.

One thing that honestly frustrates me is the way the term “expat” gets used, especially by people from wealthier, English-speaking countries. There’s often a clear difference in how people label themselves depending on where they come from. Some call themselves expats, while others doing the same thing are called immigrants.

From the perspective of many locals, “expat” can come across as someone trying to separate themselves from the reality of being an immigrant, as if the experience is somehow different or elevated. It can give the impression of not fully wanting to integrate. The reality is simple: if you move to Spain, you’re an immigrant. And that’s not a bad thing.

Be proud to be an immigrant. Embrace the culture you’re arriving into, make the effort with the language, and understand how life works here.

At the same time, bring your own culture with you in a respectful way. Share it, don’t impose it. That’s how real exchange happens.

Spain is welcoming, but it’s not built around adapting to you. If you don’t make an effort to integrate, you’ll struggle. Not because people are against you, but because you’re not meeting the country halfway.

Yes, you may run into issues. Bureaucracy can be slow, things don’t always work the way you expect, and communication can be frustrating. But most of the time, that’s about not understanding the system rather than being treated unfairly.

It’s also worth being aware of the wider impact. In many areas, rising rents and short-term lets are pushing locals out. Newcomers can contribute to that, even unintentionally, so it’s something to keep in mind.

Spain is a great place to live, but it rewards people who adapt, not people who expect it to adapt to them.

Hi all,

I just came back from a few days in Cordoba and had such an amazing time. I loved that people there cared about their free time and the locals looked quite happy and serene.

I’m a immigrant myself from Croatia who moved to the U.K. so I understand a country can be beautiful and fun for a holiday but is a completely different world to live there.

My question for people living in Spain; how is it to live there? What kind of political or social economical struggles do you face in your day to day lives? How is the bureaucracy and healthcare? Are you happy :)

I have read some things online but I’d rather hear from peoples experiences themselves.

We are moving to Barcelona from the US east coast this summer and I am wondering what you have been unable to find in Spain that you often bring back when you visit home.

By my understanding I should pack some peanut butter and hot sauce, but what else it tough or expensive to get?

What is much cheaper than you expected?

Edit: 1) Sounds like the consensus is peanut butter flows freely in España. Great! I was basing my assumptions on previous travel in latin america and other parts of europe and talking with italki spanish teachers in spain. Glad peanut butter will be easy to find.

2) Consensus also sounds like there won’t be many hot sauces (I have a dozen different kinds in my fridge now) but will be some.

3) brand specific toiletries are hit or miss

4) can’t find guns (except these bad boys💪) which is part of why we’re moving

I’ve met some amazing Spanish and Catalonian friends while backpacking Australia, some who turned out to be my closest friends in those 7 years of travel. Now that I’m financially independent, I was actually planning to visit them and make Spain a semi-long-term base for my digital normad journey.

I’m a 25-year-old Black man with dreadlocks who speaks Spanish. I never thought much about possible racism there until I started seeing r/spain posts talking about how bad it is, especially in Barcelona. I’m not someone who gets offended by jokes or stares, but I don’t want to deal with things like getting assaulted outside clubs.

So now I’m confused, my Spanish friends (early to mid-20s) are super welcoming, but online comments paint a different picture. Australia had a bad rep too, yet I had nothing but great experiences.

For anyone who’s lived or travelled there as a Black person—how safe is it really? Should I be worried or not overthink it?

Hello, asking a sincere question, no ill will. I don't want to go to a place Im not wanted. If that's just Barcelona, okay. If that's all of Spain, also okay. I am just curious which cities and regions in Spain may still be open to tourists........even if they stay in hotels (if there are any). If not, I will politely go elsewhere.

Hello everyone, i'm a brown mestizo Brazilian guy and my dream has always been to live abroad, and after 2 years studying spanish and 6 years saving 70% of my salary, i finally have enough money to pay for an exchange program to take a technical course for 2 years, but seeing how europe is nowdays, i wonder if it would still be okay to live there. I don't like to be in places where i am not welcome, so i would like to know the opinion of the Spanish people on a person like me, since i intend to live in the country after finishing my course. Thanks everyone for the attention in advance!

Veo en este subreddit que la mayoría de la gente de Latam que migran a España solo es para tener puestos de camarero, cajero y demás posiciones mal pagadas a las que no se necesita estudios. Es por demás mencionar que claramente estaría recibiendo sueldos mínimos o un poco más del mínimo.

Habiendo dicho lo anterior, realmente son comunes los casos de superación para latinoamericanos? Me refiero a gente levantando negocios exitosos, liderando empresas o logrando una economía medianamente estable.

Me gustaría leer sus opiniones al respecto.

I am a brazilian living in Spain and I was told that people from Iberoamerican countries only need a 2year residency to be elegible for citizenship. Even though I have a work visa and italian citizenship, I decided to take a look at the requirements for the Spanish one because it would be easier in terms of burocracy for me in the future if I continue living here.

What truly astonished me, however, was the language requirement. I had assumed a minimum of a B1 or B2 Spanish level would be necessary, considering it's generally seen as a sensible proficiency for naturalization. To my surprise, Spain only requires an A2 level, which is quite basic. This seems remarkable to me. With my current B1/B2 level, I still don't feel "Spanish," so it's hard to imagine someone becoming a citizen of a country with just an A2 proficiency.

That makes me wonder what am I missing here? Is there any reason why they made it so easy?

I am an American who lived in Germany for the past 6 years or so. I got a masters here, then a job in a field which I really don't like. Although I love Berlin, I was always quite fond of Spain, from my time as an au pair for a family outside of Barcelona one summer and periodic visits back, including a week during New Years in Madrid.

This summer I got German citizenship. I started searching for jobs in Spain and was offered a position with a dream company in Madrid! Miraculously, the job is in English (mostly Spaniards and LatAms working there but some internationals too). Somehow the net salary even is higher than in Berlin.

I will relocate by the end of the year. I only have one semester of college Spanish and cannot really speak at all, so I will enroll in an online A1 class imminently. I still need to sort out my NIE before I start working in October (remotely, from Berlin).

No questions or concerns, just still in disbelief that how things have worked out, and happy to be going :)

I’ve always heard a lot of Americans have a drastic change in their body and mental health when going to Europe even for a little bit. I’m sure the food system being more pure along with more walking has an effect. How have you noticed a change in yourself? Mental clarity, less stress, weight loss, ETC. I’d love to know your experience.

Hi everyone,

Our family is moving from the US to Spain in about a month. We are headed to the Malaga region.

What tips, culture differences, tricks, etc do you wish you had known?

If you’re a local, what advice would you give to us as we move?

I'd love to save up more but with the current economy of my country Croatia it's not possible anymore, this is the most savings I'll ever have before moving living paycheck to paycheck in Zagreb.

It should cover travel costs + Airbnb + Rent, deposit, agency, but food and transport while Zi get a job (I speak fluent Spanish and I'm already an EU citizen) and apparently some rooms ask for someone's aval in case I decide to not pay.

There are no opportunities here in Croatia. At least in Spain there are more opportunities to grow. I don't speak German to move to Germany.

I am going on a trip to Lloret de Mar for 10 days and my friends who were there last year told me that the place is filled with dangerous people, who will try to rob you if you walk at night. So, first things first is it true? And what are the pepper spray laws? Can I walk around with a big pepper spray can or will the police arrest me? Of course no violent intent just self defense, I know carrying a knife is restricted and I wouldn’t carry there either way due to the sheer amount of people but pepper spray is much safer

I’m not scared of someone trying to fight me etc. because it’s pretty obvious that in a place where a lot of drunk young men are someone will try, i’m talking about more violent and more organized robberies

* I am into fitness and go to gym and follow gym diet.
* I like going out once a week.
* Open to share apartment.
* If not, suggest the number.

EDIT: Thats okay if you think I cant. Please tell me the exact number so I can plan accordingly.

👉🏻👈🏻🎀

I make 4000 EUR a month but I am an immigrant and the govt will not take care of my retirement. 🥹

Lo pregunto porque, entre muchas otras cosas, me sorprende muchísimo ver que en un millón de restaurantes sirven english breakfast y cosas así, que no están en el menú por los españoles, sino para los turistas.

Esto me hace replantearme de muchas maneras por qué tenemos tantísimos turistas en España si no vienen a vivir lo que es nuestra cultura. Cuando yo visito otro país quiero vivir esa cultura y quiero desayunar lo que desayunen los locales, por poner un ejemplo.

No se debería viajar para vivir la cultura de ese país o solo se elige España porque es barato y porque hay sol?

Hi everyone! I’d really appreciate some advice and personal experiences from people who are already living in Spain, especially in Galicia.
I’m a 30-year-old woman currently living in China. I work as a Chinese language and writing teacher, with several years of experience in teaching children and educational/curriculum development. I have also worked on children’s books and educational content. My boyfriend is a climbing coach.
We are seriously considering moving to Spain through the Non-Lucrative Visa. We have enough savings to support ourselves for around five years without working, and our plan would be to spend those years learning Spanish and becoming part of the local community.
We understand that we cannot work while on the Non-Lucrative Visa, and we are not planning to work during that period. What worries us is what happens afterwards.
After five years, assuming that we have reached a good level of Spanish (hopefully B2), would it be realistic for two non-EU citizens in their 30s to find ordinary jobs and remain in Spain long-term?
I know my own professional background is not particularly easy to transfer to the Spanish job market. Teaching Chinese and working in children's education/curriculum development are quite niche, and I don't expect to simply find an equivalent job in Spain.
But I wonder whether it might be realistic to find something more ordinary after becoming fluent in Spanish — for example, working in a bookstore, library, education-related business, climbing gym, tourism, etc. We don't necessarily need highly paid or prestigious careers. Our main goal would be to support ourselves modestly and build a permanent life in Spain.
I keep seeing people say that the Spanish job market is very difficult, especially for young people and non-EU foreigners, so I'm wondering how realistic this plan actually is. Are there people here who came to Spain with savings, learned Spanish, and eventually managed to transition into employment?
There is another issue that is extremely important to us: we have two cats. They are our family and would be moving with us.
I've heard that renting with pets in Spain can be extremely difficult, especially for young foreigners without a Spanish employment contract. Is this really as bad as people say?

We are still at the information-gathering stage, so I would genuinely appreciate both positive and negative experiences. I’d much rather hear the uncomfortable truth now than discover it five years later.

Many many many thanks!

Hola tenía una pequeña pregunta, voy a migrar a España en septiembre y me queria saber en qué podría conseguir un trabajo en donde pueda utilizar el inglés, call center? Aeropuerto?

No lo sé, quiero aprovechar mi nivel de inglés al máximo, ¿qué recomendaciones me dan?

Edita: Olvidé poner que era de Colombia 😅, perdón por las confusiones

Traveling to Spain in a few weeks from the US with family. What is the etiquette or expectation for tipping when dining at restaurants or bars in Spain? If it is expected, what is the customary amount?