Life in Spain.
Your free guide to moving and living in Spain.
The paperwork. The places. The everyday life.
Your move, one decision at a time.
Spain visa navigator
Find a residence route to investigate, the conditions to check and your next practical steps.
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Spain moving budget calculator
Separate monthly spending, moving costs, refundable deposits and the cash you need on arrival.
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Spanish income-tax calculator
Estimate ordinary IRPF and compare an employment-only Beckham scenario, with the tax year shown.
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Spain city finder
Compare 18 cities against your housing budget, climate preference and the kind of place you want.
Open toolIllustrative photography. Photo credits.
The practical how-to guides.
How to exchange or obtain a Spanish driving license
Can you keep driving, exchange your foreign license, or do you need Spanish theory and practical tests? Start with the issuing country—not your passport.
Healthcare & workHow to register for public healthcare in Spain, step by step
From padrón and entitlement to your health card, assigned doctor, first appointment and repeat prescriptions: follow the route that fits your circumstances.
Children & educationHow to enrol children in school after moving to Spain
Understand ages and grade levels, find the correct admissions office and move from an application to a confirmed school place.
Home & connectivityHow to set up electricity, water and gas in Spain
Take over a working supply, understand the bill and agree exactly how landlord reimbursement works—before the first payment is due.
The move. The life after.
The Spain I Saw Online vs the Life I Actually
Moving to Spain looked wonderful online. Living in Valencia has made me look more closely at what influencer videos show, what they leave out, and how easily we fill in the gaps.
Player not loading? Open the uploads on YouTube.
Where will you make your move?
Compare neighborhoods, housing, registration, transport, healthcare and schools. Start with the kind of week you want to live.
New: Córdoba and Valladolid—the next two municipalities below Las Palmas de Gran Canaria not already covered here; Alicante and Bilbao already have guides. Population reference: INE municipal population, 1 January 2025. This collection also includes smaller cities.
One Spain. Many ways to live.
Explore the 17 autonomous communities and the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla.
Select a numbered region. Islands and cities are shown in separate insets at different scales. Map credits
Where will you
feel at home?
Coast, city, countryside or island. Start with the setting, then look at the life you need to build.
communities
cities
Choose a region to explore its location and official services.
Plan your housing searchA new life. A clearer plan.
to finding your feet.
Visas & residency
Find the residence route that fits your passport, work and household.
Read the guideHomes & cost of living
Understand the rental contract and build a budget around your location.
Read the guideHealthcare
Separate healthcare entitlement from regional registration and appointments.
Read the guideWork, money & taxes
Prepare for remote work, self-employment and tax residence before moving.
Read the guideMoving with pets
Check the route, documents, transport and a suitable home for your animals.
Read the guideEveryday life & families
Set up schools, childcare, healthcare, home services, pets and daily routines.
Read the guideMake space for real life.
Costa Brava · CatalunyaFind a place that fits your life.
Look beyond the holiday version. Compare the home, the commute and the day-to-day routine.
Explore Spain
Pizarra · AndalucíaBuild your everyday routine.
Schools, language, local services and the small things that help a new place feel familiar.
Everyday life in SpainFound this useful?
I make these guides public and free to help you plan a life in Spain. If they have helped you, you can support the work with a coffee. No payment is needed to use any guide or tool.