Moving to Spain is a dream for many expats around the world. Its high history, scenic beauty, sound healthcare system, and warm weather of the Mediterranean have always made Spain one of the best places in Europe to be an expat. Wherever you want to find lively urban environments, small and quiet seaside towns, or picturesque villages, in Spain, you will find a lot of them.
In this guide, we’ll explore the most popular Spanish cities for foreigners, covering the cost of living, lifestyle, job opportunities, and cultural experiences.
1. Barcelona
It is not a city, but a lifestyle named Barcelona. You may be part of a digital nomad, creative professional, young entrepreneur, or simply the feeling of being in a beachside city, but all these are what this perfect city of culture in Barcelona offers. The city is a paradise of work and play, with its gleaming architectural masterpieces and its bustling start-up ecosystem, and laid-back cafes and beaches appealing to both local and global expatriates.
Housing & Rent in Barcelona
- 1-bedroom 1 bedroom apartment (centre): eur 1,100-1,400 /month(city centre): eur 1,100-1,400/month
- Apartment (room): 500-700 (euros)/m.
- Beyond the city center (1bedroom): 800 euro / 1000 euro/month
Job Opportunities for Expats
- Hot industries: IT, technology startups, design (UX / UI), inbound tourism, English teaching, online retail
- The place is the largest in terms of being home to numerous multinational corporations and remote working-friendly companies
- Coworking spaces are omniscient – a perfect location choice to be a digital nomad or entrepreneur
Education & Schools in Barcelona
- Over 40+ international schools comprising systems with British, American, and French schools
- The well-known universities of Barcelona, UIC, and Pompeu Fabra in the English language
- Good-quality Spanish schools, both public and private, are available.
Environment & Lifestyle
- Sea to the city: Visit trade ports in the morning and indulge in sightseeing of Gaud Mount in the afternoon.
- There are also green escapes such as Ciutadella and Montjuic parks.
- A nightclubbing, constant festival, museums, food markets, and art exhibitions.
- A global hub of mixed community -there are expats all over.
Cost of Living
Approx. $1,800 -2300/month, a single expat
2. Valencia
Barcelona may be too crowded and too costly, so Valencia is the right place to be. As the third-largest city of Spain, it has one of the highest quality of life at a downwardly engaged remuneration, so it is exceptionally widespread among far-flung specialists, families, and expatriates.
Rent & Housing in Valencia
- Apartment in the city 1-bedroom: 700-900 / month
- Family house( 3 bedroom ) or apartment: 1100-1400 a month
- Shared rooms:350-500 euros/month in a room.
Job Market in Valencia for Expats
- Job markets available: Teaching English, tourism, hospitality, IT, start-up, e-commerce
- Most of the expats are employed partly to work remotely with corporations overseas or as freelancers
- New coworking places are emerging annually, with a recent increase in urban centers
Education & Learning Options in Valencia
- Good publicly-owned schools, most of which are bilingual (Spanish-Valencian or English)
- Respectable universities such as the University of Valencia and the Polytechnic University of Valencia
- Spanish learner language centers and international student language centers
Environment, Nature & Lifestyle
- Great beaches such as Malvarrosa and Patacona are within a short time of the city
- Very bike-friendly city with bike lanes everywhere
- The place is home to the renowned Turia Gardens, which is a 9km park that is best used to walk, jog, or even have picnics
- Slower tempo, not as many travellers, and people are so friendly
Cost of Living
About $ 1300-1700 a month, which is a steal in a seaside city.
3. Madrid
You are a professional, a student, or an expatriate family, Madrid has all you require to settle, work, and develop in one of the greatest European capitals.
Rent & Housing in Madrid
- 1-bed rent in flats in the centre: 1000-1400 euros a month
- Shared apartment: 450-700 euros/per month
- Best expat locations: Salamanca (high-end), Malasa food (young and hipster), Chamber by (family oriented), and Lavapi pods (diverse and arty)
Job Market in Madrid
- Strong demand in: finance, tech, consulting, healthcare, and education
- They are outstanding to English educators and cross-lingual experts
- The seat of numerous multinationals and new entities
- Vast net of co-working spaces and expat business events
Education in Madrid
- Best international schools: British Council School, American School Madrid, German School Madrid
- Ranked universities: Complutense University of Madrid, IE Business School, Universidad Autónoma
- Language schools and Spanish classes in which adults can get classes
Lifestyle & Environment in Madrid
- Cultural capital, which is the home of the Prado Museum, the Royal Palace, old theatres, and music festivals
- Non-stop eating, shopping, partying, tapas bars, rooftop bars
- A lot of parks and green areas, such as El Retiro and Casa de Campo
- Wonderful transport network: metro, buses, railway- one of the busiest airports in Europe
Cost of Living
Approximately 1800 8222 euros/ month, including rent
4. Malaga
Want to dream about waking up to the Mediterranean sun, palm-fringed promenades, and a stress-free life? You may have just found the Spanish city you have been searching for, Malaga. Located on the Costa del Sol, Malaga is a mixture of affordability, beautiful scenery, and slow slow-paced life.
Rent & Housing in Málaga
- 1-bedroom apartment in the city: €800–10,00 per month
- Villas or family houses in suburbs: €1,300-€2,000/ Abbassia
- Nice areas for expats: El Limonar, Centro Historico, Pedregalejo, Teatinos, and south Málaga.
Jobs & Remote Work Opportunities
- Favored among distance tech work, freelancers, and business proprietors
- Mostly job offers in hospitality, tourism, and English teaching
- Digital Nomad communities/coworking spaces: Google for Startups Campus, The Living Room Coworking, ReStation Malaga
Schools & Education in Málaga
- Several International schools and Bilingual independent schools
- Expat children programs
- Colleges and schools that teach Spanish and are accessible to adults
Lifestyle & Environment
- Splendid beaches, harbors, and seaside rides
- Parks that are green, old architecture, and cultural museums
- Climate-friendly throughout the year; more than 300 sunshiny days annually
- Extremely walkable city that has a relaxed, safe feel to it
- This is perfect for both outdoor fitness and retirees, as well as families
Living Costs
With your lifestyle, you can expect between 1,300-1,700/month Euro
5. Granada
In case you want to find a city that is dynamic, affordable, and energetic with history and culture topped with it, come to Granada; it is a dream city. Perched at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountains in southern Spain, Granada is the union of Moorish architecture, tapas, and student life, all rolled into one soulful package.
Housing & Rent in Granada
- 1-bed apartment: 500-700E /month
- Shared apartment (students:): 250-400/month
- Trendy Areas: Realejo, Albaicin, Zaidin, and the center
Work Opportunities in Granada
- A great demand for English teachers and tutors
- Erasmus mentors, remote workers, and freelancers like it popularly
- The majority of the jobs are in local businesses, tourism, and language centers
Education & Language Learning
- Perfect for Erasmus students, language students, and master’s programs
- Best language schools for expats in Spanish
- International crowd & young vibes
Lifestyle, Culture & Climate
- Alhambra Palace is a UNESCO treasure, check it out!
- Ski in Sierra Nevada, only 40 mins away
- Visit such Moorish quarters as Albaicin and Sacromonte
- Mediterranean-meets-mountain climate
Living Cost
Around 900-1300euro/month
Read Also: How to Get a European Work Visa in 2025: Step-by-Step Guide
6. Alicante
Wanting the sunshine and sea breezes and the lush singing grooves, but not quite willing to forego the benefits of the city? Hello, I live in Alicante, a magnificent beachside city, and it is an ideal place to be the destination to work as a virtual worker and also an expat.
Housing & Rent in Alicante
- Apartment 1 room (centre): 600 – 800 €/month.
- Seafront apartments/penthouse: starting at 1000 Euro/month
- Most expat-friendly: San Juan Beach, El Barrio, Alicante Old Town, Carolinas Altas
Jobs & Work Options
- Work as a seasonal/ summer worker in the tourism industry or hospitality industry, and the events business
- Careers in the market as an English teacher and a language tutor
- Freelance gigs and teleworking are widespread
- The property and real estate management is increasing as well
Schools & Family Life
- There are bilingual schools of the private type
- Curriculum and early childhood expat-oriented
- Neighborhoods/Parks that are friendly to families
Lifestyle, Climate & Natural Beauty
- Beautiful beaches such as Playa del Postiguet and San Juan
- More than 300 sunny days yearly
- Pedestrian-friendly city, night culture, dining outdoors
- Ocean fresh seafood, tapas, and coastal wine culture
Cost of Living
About €1,100–€1,500/month
7. Bilbao
Upon relocation to Bilbao, I did not anticipate expressing a sentiment of falling in love with it, yet it happened promptly. It is an ideal combination of modernity, nature, and culture in this northern gem. It is a dream for food lovers, painters, and even professionals who need something beyond the usual Spanish coastal cities.
Rent & Housing
- Room 1-bedroom apartment (city center) 750EURO-950 euros/month
- Villas/ family houses in the suburbs: 1,200 – 1,500 euros/month
- Shared flats: €400–€600/month
Job Opportunities
- Superb career opportunities in the field of design, architecture, renewable energy, and IT
- An increasing number of freelancers, creative working spaces, and start-ups
- Speaking Spanish and Basque is a huge It is a great privilege to be able to speak Spanish and Basque but English is gaining ground in multinational businesses, but English is becoming more common in multinational companies
Education for Expats
- Good capacity schools, both state and private
- The lingua franca is Spanish + Basque bilingual education
- English-speaking expat children have the choice of international schools
- Well-known universities such as the University of Deusto and Mondragon University
Lifestyle & Environment
- A green Spanish city, one of the greenest in fact, with plenty of parks, riverside, and nature walks
- Driving for a few minutes will get you to the beaches and green mountains
- Basque culinary scene, as well as the Guggenheim Museum, is an event each weekend is an experience
- The city is environmentally friendly, hygienic, and serene enough, suitable for families and creatives
Living Costs
Expect €1,300–€1,800/month
8. Sotogrande
Think of it, you wake up in the morning to marina views, dine in fine cuisine, and in between, have access to high-end golf, polo, or yachting, and this would be Sotogrande. It had the sensation of a personal, gracious retreat that I experienced when I resided here, and makes one forget the hustle and bustle of the large-city world.
Housing & Rent
- Luxury villas and gated homes: 2000-5000+/ month
- New, trendy apartments with a view of the sea: 1,500-2,500 euros per month
- There is also increased security and exclusivity in gated communities
Job & Work Opportunities
- The majority of inhabitants are long-distance workers, proprietors, or pensioners
- This is a wonderful foundation when you are working online or are a business owner.
- There is very little local employment, and therefore, this city can only suit you when you are independent.
Education & Schools
- Elite national and international schools such as British, American, and IB schools
- The most famous one would be Sotogrande International School, that had a floor of high academic and international exposure
- The kids have an awesome time studying at this multilingual, safe learning place
Lifestyle & Environment
- Beautiful groves, serene streets, and exclusive strips of sand
- Lavish marinas, foreign restaurants, and top-level golf & polo clubs
- Active social life and events in the communities, mainly in terms of cheap events with wealthy expats and locals
- Practically unsafe, hygienic, and quiet, with a high degree of privacy
Living Cost
Easy 3,000+ euros/month.
9. Seville
In case you want to feel the real flavour of Spain, Seville will conquer you with its appeal. Seville is Spain’s epitome: from the hypnotic rhythms of flamenco to its Moorish palaces and cobbled streets illuminated under orange trees.
Housing & Rent
- 1-bedroom apartments in the center: 700- 900/ month
- Larger apartment or apartment flats: 1,200 1,500 euros/ month
- A lot of apartments are provided with terraces and balconies, or historic architecture scenes
Job Opportunities
- Teach English, in particular in language academies or bilingual schools
- Cultural event, tourism, hospitality jobs
- And remote work is also on the rise, courtesy of the Spain digital nomad visa
- Remember: this is a more locally centred market, so speaking Spanish is such a bonus point!
Cost of Living
- Living Costs: Living costs per expat per month: 1,200-1,600 euros
- Transport and utilities, and groceries are affordable
- Eating out is cheap- budget about 10-15 euros for a good local meal
- There are numerous museums and other events where free or cheap admission choices are available
Education & Family Life
- The local public schools are of good quality.
- There has been an increasing amount of both bilingual programs and privately operated international schools
- Clean communities and abundant green parks where children could run around in
Culture, Climate & Vibe
- Summers are sweltering, dry seasons, whilst winters are relaxed, and this translates to exterior life is not the seasonal blessing that it is in other parts of the world.
- The host of the well-known festivals in the world, like the Semana Santa ( Holy Week ) and the Feria de Abril
- Brimming over with flamenco music, renowned customs of Andalusia bull fighting, not to mention Andalusian food
- Friendly, sunny, and neighborhood style, where it is easy to get acquainted with people inhabiting the area
FAQs
1. What region of Spain do most expats live in?
The best places with decent lifestyle, work, and expat cultures are Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Málaga, and Alicante.
2. Which city should I live in Spain as a foreigner?
Valencia would be the best in terms of affordability, seaside life, and a friendly atmosphere. The city of Madrid is the best in terms of careers and culture.
3. What Spanish city offers more employment?
The most successful areas of work in Madrid are jobs in technology and business, as well as educational areas. Barcelona is next, followed by startup and digital.
4. What cities in Spain are cheapest for expats?
The cheapest is Granada, and the rent and cost of living are approximately 1000 Euros/month.
Related: How to Get a Spain Study Visa (2025 Guide for Students)
Final Thought
Spain is not only a beautiful nation, but an elevation of lifestyle. Spain has a place to suit every kind of expat, whether you’re after career opportunities in Madrid, sunny rest in Málaga, cost of living in Granada, or luxury living in Sotogrande. It has inexpensive medical care, a good climate, a rich cultural background, and a friendly expatriate community, which explains why many individuals are immigrating.
