Are you aware as the day goes by, individuals from Spanish-speaking countries are moving to Spain? There are various factors luring people to Spain – favorable climate, job opportunities, high-quality education, good living standards, and many others. The truth is everyone has their reasons for moving to Spain.
The country has numerous regions, and living in Spain is different from one area to another. For instance, someone living in the Southern part of the country will feel relaxed compared to the Catalan region that is always busy. As a result of this, it shows a country with diverse cultures and business activities. There are pros and cons of moving to Spain.
Pros of Moving to Spain
Here are the benefits of residing in Spain:
- Favorable Climate:
During the winter season, it is hard to see the weather going below zero, and it is still the same as in the Northern region of Spain. Parents searching for a place to spend vacations with their kids can move to Spain to enjoy the serene environment.
- Relaxing Atmosphere:
The Spanish citizens enjoy having a good time after intense stress or labour. They have various locations for creating a relaxing atmosphere for anyone who wants to stay refresh after their regular daily activities.
- Good Food:
Based on the type of climate in Spain, vegetables and fruits are planted in various parts of the country, and as such, the weather affects the quality of the fruits and vegetables, bringing out quality yield. In terms of price, it is affordable compared to other countries like the U.S. and the U.K.
Cons of Moving to Spain
- Crime Rates are Increasing:
Spain is a country with one of the lowest crime records. Unfortunately, things have changed due to the various crises and also the Catalan fighting for independence. There have been some cases of migrants moving to Spain to commit crimes as a means of survival.
- Bad Rural Roads:
It is not all the road in Spain that is good, because if you are living in rural areas, you will encounter lots of bad roads. If you want to enjoy good roads in Spain, you live in the metropolitan cities where commercial activities are increasing.
- Economic Recession:
Spain is still struggling with economic recession, and it shows the country’s level of unemployment. The average monthly salary in Spain is lower than in other countries such as the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Germany, and many others.
Read also: How to Get Spain Citizenship by Investment the Right Way
Major Facts about Spain
It is one thing for someone to migrate to Spain, and it is another thing to have some facts about Spain. Let’s get to see these facts:
- Location: In the Southern part of Europe, occupying a larger geographical area of the Iberian Peninsula.
- Capital: Madrid
- Climate: Spring, Fall, Summer, and Winter
- Currency: Euro
- Population: 10% of the Spanish population are immigrants from other countries such as Morocco, Americans, and other European countries.
- Language: Spain
- Timezone: UTC +1
Spain Visa Regulations
Some citizens from specific countries don’t need visas to stay for a short time in Spain, such as visiting, tourism, business, conferences, etc. For anyone who has the intention of staying for 90 days needs their papers ready for more freedom. Citizens should check visa types before moving to Spain, and the embassy can offer valid information.
- Work Visa:
Suppose you are moving to Spain for a job. In that case, the Spanish employer will send a letter of employment and other migration documents to present in the Spanish embassy in their country of residence. It will act as evidence to the Spanish consulate the reason for moving to Spain.
Read also: Here’s a Quick Way to get Spain Work Visa
- Student Visa:
The student visa makes things easier for those enrolled in any of the Spanish universities. In some cases, the exchange program is another platform whereby people can move their personal belongings to Spain. An exchange program like Erasmus is one of the ways of applying for this student visa.
Healthcare in Spain
Spanish healthcare has lots of medical facilities to improve the health of Spanish residents. Individuals from European Union countries or legal residents can get access to healthcare. The only way illegal immigrants can receive healthcare is only in emergencies.
Although the Spanish Government covers the medical fees, foreign ex-pats and many Spaniards prefer private health insurance. There are additional costs for this type of healthcare because the individual has to pay an extra fee. After the health insurance, the individual needs to undergo a registration process with a general medical practitioner.
Private insurance is the best because it gives patients fast opportunities to visit doctors compared to public insurance. Private health insurance is helpful, especially when a patient needs to receive urgent treatment. They have an emergency number for fast response:
For Ambulance: 112
For Spanish Police: 091
School and Education:
In Spain, they have their system of education ranging from Kindergarten to the tertiary level. In Spain, the primary and secondary level of education is compulsory. The public schools in Spain are free of charge, and lectures are in Spanish. Spanish residents can register their kids in any local kindergarten school.
Private school is another one that is renowned in Spain based on better facilities to enhance the students’ performance. There are private international schools in metropolitan areas like Malaga, Bilbao, Barcelona, Sevilla, etc. University studies are not so relevant, but students must pay their tuition fees.
The Spanish Job Market
It is another thing for immigrants to consider before moving to Spain because the unemployment rate in the country is about 20%. One has to be fluent in Spanish since it is the official language applying for jobs. Some of these job opportunities are in tourism, construction, information technology, and agriculture. Most of the global industries in Madrid are in regions like Barcelona, Sevilla, Valencia, etc.
Housing
Having an accommodation in Spain can be demanding and challenging. Foreigners should buy an apartment in Spain than renting one. Fortunately, there are no rules and regulations relating to foreigners owning landed properties. For instance, if a foreigner buys a building worth over €500,000, they have the right or privilege to get a Spanish golden visa.
It is advised to have a formal agreement or written agreement before buying any property. The Spanish law in the country covers tenant’s right and secure them from scammers when acquiring the apartment. Spanish landlords won’t ask their tenants to offer proof of sufficient finance before signing any agreement.
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Conclusion:
Moving to Spain is something one has to be ready mentally, financially, and also get their required documents to avoid embarrassment from the Spanish immigration officers. No country doesn’t have any flaw, and the best is to have a success mentality of making it big when you get there based on the intended purpose.