Living in Spain
Europe — Expat guide for moving and living abroad
Country overview
Capital
Madrid
Currency
EUR
Continent
Europe
Advertisement
Entry requirements
Check if your passport needs a visa for Spain.
Check visa requirementsPopular passport access to Spain
| Passport | Status | Max Stay |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Visa Free | 90 days |
| United Kingdom | Visa Free | 90 days |
| Austria | Visa Free | — |
| Belgium | Visa Free | — |
| Bulgaria | Visa Free | — |
| Croatia | Visa Free | — |
| Cyprus | Visa Free | — |
| Czechia | Visa Free | — |
| Denmark | Visa Free | — |
| Estonia | Visa Free | — |
Detailed visa guides for Spain
Monthly costs
Barcelona
Rent (center)
1,200 EUR/mo
Groceries
280 EUR/mo
Transport
45 EUR/mo
Est. Monthly Total
1,655 EUR/mo
Madrid
Rent (center)
1,100 EUR/mo
Groceries
270 EUR/mo
Transport
55 EUR/mo
Est. Monthly Total
1,545 EUR/mo
Valencia
Rent (center)
900 EUR/mo
Groceries
250 EUR/mo
Transport
40 EUR/mo
Est. Monthly Total
1,300 EUR/mo
Advertisement
Work permits
Spain offers a Digital Nomad / Freelance visa option.
-
Digital Nomad Visa
Duration: Up to 3 years, renewable
Non-EU remote workers with 1+ year professional experience working for foreign companies
-
EU Blue Card
Duration: Up to 4 years
Highly qualified non-EU workers with a degree and job offer above salary threshold
-
Highly Skilled Professional Visa (Autorización de residencia por cuenta ajena)
Duration: 1 year, renewable
Workers with a job offer from a Spanish employer
-
Non-Lucrative Visa
Duration: 1 year, renewable for 2 years
Non-EU nationals with sufficient passive income (no work authorization)
Salary & tax
Income Tax Range
19% – 47%
Social Security (Employee)
0.0635%
Combined state and general regional rates. Employee social security ~6.35% of gross (capped). Regional surcharges vary.
Calculate your net salaryUseful services
Insurance
SafetyWing
Nomad health insurance for your stay in Spain. Monthly subscription, cancel anytime.
Get a SafetyWing quote →Connectivity
Airalo
Spain eSIM data plans from $4.50. Activate before you land — no SIM swap.
Get an Airalo eSIM →Language
iTalki
Book 1-on-1 video lessons with native tutors before you move. 150+ languages.
Find a tutor →City guides in Spain
More Countries in Europe
Related guides
Moving to Spain
Beckham Law, digital nomad visa, the consulate appointment bottleneck.
The Complete Digital Nomad Visa Guide
Everything you need to know about digital nomad visas worldwide.
Best Countries for Remote Work (2026)
Top destinations ranked by cost, internet, safety, and visa options.
Expat Health Insurance Guide
How to choose the right health insurance when living abroad.