LIVING IN SPAIN

A practical starter guide to your new life.

Plan your choice of city, phone and internet, renting a home and basic household needs on a single page.

Explore the guide Search for flights →

CHOOSING A CITY

Discover the city that suits your needs.

The cost of living and conditions vary by person and over time; check up-to-date sources before you decide.

Madrid Business network · Transport · Central connections

Barcelona Technology · Mediterranean · International network

Valencia Coast · Balanced lifestyle · Cycling network

Málaga Climate · Technology · International community

Seville Culture · History · Andalusian life

PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS AND OFFICIAL WEBSITES

Deal with the right institution.

The official websites you will need for residence, tax, social security, health and town hall matters. Always check details on the institution’s own website.

EspNomad does not represent these institutions and does not act on their behalf. Addresses, appointment systems and requirements may change. In an emergency call 112 anywhere in Spain.

PHONE AND INTERNET

Compare your connectivity options.

Look at SIM, eSIM, pay-as-you-go and contract options on the operators’ official websites.

Work out what you need

Consider pay-as-you-go for short-term use and contract options for long-term use.

Prepare your documents

You may be asked for an ID card or passport, an address in Spain and, for some contracts, a bank account.

Check the coverage

Confirm mobile and home broadband coverage in the city and neighbourhood where you will live.

Movistar Pay-as-you-go options Official website ↗ Orange Pay-as-you-go and eSIM Official website ↗ Vodafone Pay-as-you-go and eSIM Official website ↗ DIGI Mobile and fibre options Official website ↗ MásMóvil Mobile and home broadband Official website ↗ Yoigo Pay-as-you-go options Official website ↗

EspNomad is not a representative or sales partner of these operators. Prices, offers, ID requirements and coverage information may change.

RENTING A HOME

Check before you sign a tenancy agreement.

Verify the landlord or authorised letting agent
Separate rent, deposit, service charges and extra costs
Make sure the agreement states whether the property is furnished or unfurnished
Do not pay before viewing the property and receiving documents
Review the cancellation, renewal and eviction terms

Idealista ↗ Fotocasa ↗

Image of a rental flat in Madrid with a tenancy agreement and keys — Illustrative housing image · Not a listing

FURNISHING YOUR HOME

Plan your new-home checklist.

As well as the price of the product, compare delivery, installation, warranty and returns terms.

IKEA España Furniture and household essentials El Corte Inglés Home and lifestyle products MediaMarkt Electronics and household appliances

SPANISH HISTORY AND CULTURE

Get to know the periods that shaped today’s Spain.

This summary helps you understand the country’s historical development and regional diversity in the context of everyday life.

218 BC – 5th c. AD

Roman Hispania

Roads, cities, a legal tradition and the languages that evolved from Latin shaped the long-term structure of the peninsula.

8th–15th century

Al-Andalus and the Medieval Kingdoms

Islamic, Jewish and Christian traditions together left their mark on science, architecture, agriculture and urban culture.

1469–1700

Dynastic Union and the Global Era

The process that began with the union of the Castilian and Aragonese crowns turned Spain into a global empire.

1812–1975

Constitution, Modernisation and Civil War

The transformations of the 19th century, the Civil War of 1936–1939 and the Franco era shaped modern political memory.

1978–present

Democracy and the Autonomous Communities

The 1978 Constitution established parliamentary democracy and a regional structure of 17 autonomous communities plus Ceuta and Melilla.

A multilingual country

Alongside Spanish, Catalan, Galician and Basque have co-official status in certain regions.

Regional identity

Food, festivals, architecture and social customs differ between Madrid, Catalonia, Andalusia, the Basque Country and other regions.

Everyday life

Working hours, mealtimes and local holidays can vary by city and region, so the local calendar matters when planning your move. For national and regional holidays, see the Spain Public Holiday Calendar page.

GETTING AROUND THE CITY

Explore metro and public transport networks city by city.

Line and service information may change. Before you travel, check the current map, timetable and announcements from the official operator.

Madrid Metro · Cercanías · EMT

An extensive metro network and commuter trains, with connections to the airport and the centre.

Official network map ↗

Barcelona Metro · FGC · Rodalies

Integrated transport with TMB metro lines, FGC and regional trains.

Official TMB map ↗

Valencia Metro · Tram · EMT

The Metrovalencia network, with connections to the centre, the coast and the airport.

Official Metrovalencia website ↗

Seville Metro · Metrocentro · TUSSAM

Getting around the city by metro line, with a tram link in the centre.

Official metro map ↗

Málaga Metro · EMT · Cercanías

Two metro lines, a coastal commuter train and a bus network.

Official Metro de Málaga website ↗

WEATHER BY CITY

Get to know the climate and check the latest forecast with AEMET.

The information below describes the general climate; it is not a live weather forecast.

Madrid Continental Hot, dry summers · cool winters Latest AEMET forecast ↗ Barcelona Mediterranean Mild winters · humid summers Latest AEMET forecast ↗ Valencia Mediterranean Long summers · mild winters Latest AEMET forecast ↗ Seville Hot Very hot summers · mild winters Latest AEMET forecast ↗ Málaga Coastal Mild and sunny Latest AEMET forecast ↗

OFFICIAL WEATHER AND WARNINGS CENTRE

Choose your city and open the latest AEMET forecast.

Temperature, rainfall, wind and official weather warnings are checked at the live source.