Cost and Standard of Living in Spain

Ways to emigrate

There are various ways to obtain Spanish residency. Besides marriage, family reunification, or refugee status, you can get a job under contract or invest at least €500,000 in real estate.

Foreigners usually obtain the following types of residence status, commonly referred to as "residencia":

• without the right to work - "white residency";
• with the right to work under contract - work residency;
• with the right to work without a contract - business residency.

A residence permit can also be temporary or permanent. Temporary ones are issued for up to 5 years, but can be renewed under certain circumstances. A permanent residence permit is granted to those who previously held a temporary one, did not violate its conditions, and met the additional necessary requirements.

For example, marrying a Spanish citizen can get you a 5-year residence permit. Investment gets you a 1-year residence permit with the possibility of renewal.

Russians in Spain

Russians in Spain form one of the smallest diaspora communities. According to Spain's National Institute of Statistics, at the start of 2022 there were around 200,000 people in the country who spoke Russian. Of these, just over 80,000 identify as Russian. However, these figures do not account for Russian speakers who hold Spanish passports - the statistics automatically count them as Spaniards.

Most Russians in Spain live mainly in cities: Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia, as well as in the Andalusia and Catalonia regions. The largest Russian community is in the city of Torrevieja. It's even referred to as "the Russian capital of Spain."

Life in Spain is quite manageable for Russians. That said, it's worth learning Spanish, since not many people speak English in the country. On the other hand, you can find Russian-language schools, sports clubs, and summer camps here.

There are, of course, some unfamiliar aspects of life in Spain. For example, Spaniards are emotional, talk a lot, but don't like to rush when getting work done. But you get used to this fairly quickly.

Cities to move to

Spain offers the option of living in major metropolises or small towns. Particularly popular options include:

• Madrid - the capital, a city of more than a million people;
• Barcelona - the country's second-most populous city, home to more than 1.5 million people, and the tenth most populous city in the EU, as well as one of Europe's largest tourist hubs;
• Valencia - the third most populous city in Spain, a port on the Mediterranean coast;
• Málaga - a commercial and cultural center in the south of the country, on the Mediterranean coast;
• Torrevieja - located near Valencia, known for having one of the best sunshine records in Europe, with up to 320 sunny days a year.

Crime level

What is life in Spain like in terms of safety? According to mid-2023 data from the respected Numbeo ranking, the country ranks 22nd in Europe for crime level. For comparison: Russia ranks 16th in this ranking, meaning Spain is noticeably safer. That said, looking at the trend over time, the situation was somewhat better a few years ago. Crime levels rose in 2022.

Spain has a strong tradition of street festivals. During these events, street crime rises noticeably. Peaks occur at the end of November, the start of January, and around Easter. The crime situation also worsens during the summer tourist season.

Job hunting

It's not hard to find seasonal or summer work in Spain, but it will likely be low-paid. Agriculture is a major sector in the country, and the farming industry always needs hands.

Work under contract can only be obtained if the position isn't already being sought by Spanish citizens or citizens of other EU countries. In-demand professionals include doctors, IT workers, and banking employees. There is also demand for people with technical qualifications.

Salaries and prices in Spain

The average salary in Spain in 2023 was €2,250. But in smaller towns it's noticeably lower. Around 25% of the country's population earns less than €1,600 a month.

According to 2022 data, Spain ranked 10th in the global ranking of countries with the highest salaries. That said, a significant portion of the population has income that goes unreported - these people are often officially unemployed and receive a state benefit.

A basket of basic goods and services - including groceries, consumer goods, utilities, transport, and mobile service - is on average 44% more expensive than in Russia. Those who use the internet a lot should note that internet provider rates here are on average 27% higher than in other European countries.

Cheap housing can be found in the regions of Ciudad Real, Zamora, and Castile and León. For example, in Alicante you can realistically rent a small bungalow for €400 a month.

Cost of living in Spain

According to the Numbeo ranking, the recommended minimum monthly food budget per person in 2023 is €233.42. Grocery prices vary by region, but you can use the following as a reference:

• milk - €0.48 per 0.5 liter;
• bread - €0.29 per loaf;
• rice - €1.30 per kg;
• potatoes - €1.35 per kg;
• eggs - from €2 for a dozen;
• chicken fillet - from €7 per kg;
• beef - from €12 per kg;
• oranges, bananas - from €1.50 per kg.

Lunch or dinner at a restaurant for two costs about €35. A fast-food meal will cost €7-10.

Alcohol is relatively expensive. A bottle of wine starts at €6, and hard alcohol starts at €10.

Housing costs have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in Spain. Whether you buy or rent, prices vary across a wide range.

The subsistence minimum in the Kingdom of Spain in 2023 is €645. According to statistics, 31% of an average Spaniard's expenses go toward utility payments. 14% goes to food, 13% to transport, and 10% to entertainment - restaurants, domestic trips, and travel abroad.

Education in Spain

Healthcare in Spain

According to the Numbeo ranking, the level of healthcare in the country is very high. Spain ranks 9th in the world on this measure, while Madrid and Valencia rank sixth and seventh among major cities with well-developed healthcare systems. This points to Spain's overall high quality of life as well.

Medicine is divided into paid and free. Paid services are provided by private medical centers, and free services by public clinics. The level of free medical services is also high, but a social security card is required to access them.