Compared to other European countries, Spain is relatively affordable to live in. Spain has been a popular destination for retirees, expats, and digital nomads from around the world because of its affordable cost of living, beautiful weather, delicious cuisine, and relaxed lifestyle.

In this Pacific Prime article, we break down the average cost of living in Spain, from where to live to enjoying life in the country on a budget. We also go over the healthcare system in Spain and how you can ensure you have the right protection for yourself and your family.

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How Much is the Cost of Living in Spain?

The average cost of living in Spain for a single person is about €1,671 (USD $1,905) monthly, while it would cost €4,014 (USD $4,577) for a family of four in Spain. This includes rent, groceries, utilities, public transport, education, and insurance.

In 2024,Spain’s average monthly salary was €2,250 (USD $2,565). Salaries vary by city, ranging from €2,690 (USD $3,067) in Bilbao to €3,130 (USD $3,569) in Barcelona. To live comfortably, a monthly income of €1,200 to €1,800 (USD $1,369 to $2,052) is recommended, depending on living costs.

For couples and families, a good monthly salary can range from €2,000 to €4,000 (USD $2,280 to USD $4,561) depending on how many people are in your household. Most couples can live comfortably with an income of €2,500 (USD $2,850), while a family of four would need around €4,000 (USD $4,561).

When compared to the cost of living in Europe, Spain has one of the more affordable costs of living in the European Union. For example, the cost of living in Germany is around 33% higher than in Spain (excluding rent). Rent in Germany is 26% higher than in Spain. 

If you want to know more about another popular destination like France, you can check the cost of living in France article here.

Where to Live in Spain

Spain’s cost of living varies significantly by location, with cities like Madrid and Barcelona being pricier, while Valencia and Seville offer more affordable housing and daily expenses. Groceries, public transportation, and healthcare remain reasonably priced nationwide, making it possible to maintain a balanced budget while enjoying Spain’s quality of life.

Here’s a comparison of how much rent is in Spain based on whether it is inside or outside the city center:

Most Affordable Cities in Spain

If you want to save more but live in a comfortable environment, these are some of the most affordable cities to live in across Spain:

• Alicante: Alicante has one of the lowest costs of living in Spain, with total monthly costs around €1,517 (USD $1,729) for individuals.
• Granada: Granada is a budget-friendly city that’s favored by many expats (€1,600 or USD $1,824).
• Valencia: Valencia is an affordable city that has a mix of city and nature (€1,750 or USD $1995).

Most Expensive Cities in Spain

If you are considering moving to more urban areas, keep note that these areas can be more expensive to live in, and the rent may be higher than in other places:

• Madrid: Madrid is the most expensive city to live in Spain.
• Barcelona: Barcelona is the second most expensive city after Madrid.
• Seville: While expensive, Seville is more affordable compared to Madrid and Barcelona.

Managing Monthly Expenses in Spain

To manage your monthly expenses in Spain, create a budget plan and research the average costs of groceries, restaurants, housing, and other important utilities you will need. Here are some ways to manage your monthly expenses while living in Spain.

Utilities and Bills

Expect to pay around €120 to €133 (USD $136 to USD $151) to cover basic utilities like electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage.This does not include mobile phone plans and internet connection, which generally would cost around €18 and €32 (USD $20 and USD $36) respectively.

You can always find packages where both a mobile plan and internet connection are included to save up on costs. Utilities and bills in Spain cost around 5% to 6% of your monthly salary, which is much cheaper than in other countries.

One way of saving on utilities is to take advantage of the off-peak electricity rates and run appliances during specific hours (12 am to 6 am on weekdays, all day on weekends). You can also use water-saving devices to reduce consumption.

Food and Groceries

In Spain, you can save more by bringing your own bags, as Spain charges for plastic bags. You can also find discount supermarket chains to get cheaper products. Groceries in Spain can cost around:

• €200 to €300 (USD $228 to USD $342) for a single person per month.
• €400 to €600 (USD $456 to USD $684) for a couple per month.
• €600 to €800 (USD $684 to USD $912) for a family of four per month.

You can get local produce at much lower prices than in supermarkets by going to local markets. If you’re not really into cooking but would rather eat out, here’s the average prices for meals when eating in restaurants:

Transportation Costs

Public transport in Spain is reasonably affordable and efficient in most cities. The cheapest way to get around Spain is the bus, while trains are the most comfortable but not always the cheapest. 

There are instances where it was cheaper to take a flight to another city than taking a train. In other cities, you can rent or purchase a bike and save on transportation costs.

Here are some of the average prices for transportation in Spain:

You don’t need to have a car to travel comfortably in Spain, as public transportation is a convenient, fast, and cheaper alternative. But if you are considering getting a car, gasoline costs around €1.60 (USD $1.80) per liter in Spain. 

Entertainment and Leisure

You can enjoy visiting museums and galleries in Spain as they often offer discounted or free admission on specific days. Movie tickets cost around €7 to €10 (USD $8 to USD $11) , while tickets to concerts, sporting events, or festivals may vary in price. 

Gym memberships in Spain generally cost around €20 to €50 (USD $22 to USD $57) per month. The price varies depending on the location and services offered by the gym. But there are many parks and outdoor spaces available for running, cycling, and other recreational activities.

Healthcare Expenses in Spain

One attractive factor of Spain is the accessible healthcare for expats and foreigners. Spain’s public health system, the Sistema Nacional de Salud (SNS), provides citizens with a similar service as the National Health Service in the UK. 

Because the SNS is a state-funded service, it can provide almost entirely free medical care to citizens in Spain. This is also available for expats so long as they are registered for the service. Once registered, basic health care for expats is free.

However, if in the event you are not eligible for Spain’s state healthcare, the private healthcare system is also a good option for many expats. You will need to obtain private health insurance to avoid having to pay large medical bills for each medical treatment.

It is recommended for expats looking to migrate or work overseas to secure an international health insurance plan that covers their medical needs abroad, including Spain. Here is a breakdown of common medical costs in Spain:

Cost of Consultations

Here is a breakdown of the average costs of general doctor visits, specialist consultations, and emergency treatment in Spain:

Costs of Common Diagnostic Tests

Cost of Inpatient Hospital Stays

As public healthcare is free in Spain, here is a breakdown of how much hospital stays are in private hospitals. Note that the cost is based on the type of room selected.

Surgical Procedures

Here are the approximate costs of common surgical procedures in Spain:

Costs of Medications

In Spain, medication costs can vary depending on whether you have public healthcare coverage and the type of medication. Here’s a general overview of the medication costs in different scenarios:

If you have public healthcare coverage:

• Prescription medication: Patients typically pay 40% of the retail price of their medication.
• Pensioners: Pensioners generally pay 10% of the retail price of their medication with monthly caps.
• Chronic illness medications: Patients may have reduced co-payments for chronic illness prescriptions.

If you don’t have public healthcare coverage:

• Over-the-counter medications: These are generally affordable, ranging from €3 to €15.
• Basic antibiotics: Prices for basic antibiotics can range from €5 to €20.
• Chronic condition medications: Costs can vary greatly, ranging from €20 to €100+ per month.

Why Getting Health Insurance is Important

Without health insurance, the medical costs in Spain can grow exponentially, especially with inflation rates and overall costs increasing over time. With an international health insurance plan, you can protect yourself both physically and financially.

Not only will you have the right coverage for your healthcare needs, but you also avoid paying hefty medical bills out of pocket. Health insurance not only covers individuals; there are also plans for families and expats. 

Education in Spain

Spain offers childcare options in public, private, and international nurseries, where low-income families are eligible for subsidies. Public schools in Spain have a high standard in education, and these schools are free for all children to attend, including expats. 

Expats who want to have their children study in public schools in Spain must first register on the municipal register, or empadronamiento, at their local town hall. While tuition is free for public schools, you will have to pay for school books and extracurricular activities.

If you’re looking for an English-speaking school, Spain has international schools that teach an international curriculum, such as the International Baccalaureate (IB). 

Depending on the region, the tuition fee for English-speaking schools can vary. In Barcelona, it is around €770 a month, while in Madrid it would cost €740. In Malaga, which is a more affordable place in Spain, the tuition fees are considerably lower at €520 a month. 

Have Pacific Prime Help You With Your Move To Spain!

Moving to another country can be a daunting challenge, with language barriers, a mountain of paperwork, visa processing, and the healthcare system to navigate. You can ease the burden by having an insurance broker help you secure your health insurance.

Our team at Pacific Prime has 25 years of experience, specializing in providing international health insurance, family insurance, and expat insurance to expats and their families across the globe. You benefit from our after-sales service; we will assist you in your renewals, claims, and more!

Contact us today for a free no-obligation comparison plan!

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Frequently Asked Questions

How can I become a resident in Spain?

You can only apply for residency if you have lived in Spain continuously for five years. You can move to Spain under any available visa routes, and once you have lived in the country for the required amount of time and meet the requirements, you can obtain residency.

Which jobs are most in demand in Spain?

The most in-demand jobs in Spain are in technology and IT, healthcare, renewable energy, construction and skilled trades, hospitality and tourism, education, and language training. 

Why do expats prefer Spain as their retirement destination?

Spain is a great place to live in if you are looking for a more relaxed lifestyle, especially once you retire. Its beautiful setting, warm climate, rich culture, affordable cost of living, and high-quality healthcare system are some of the factors that make Spain an attractive option for expats.

Why is it so cheap to live in Spain?

Spain has a lower cost of living compared to other European countries because of its economic conditions. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the income per capita for Spain sits around €28,800, which is €3,000 below the OECD average. 

What is the minimum wage in Spain?

The minimum annual salary in Spain is €15,876 (USD $18,089) , or €1,323 (USD $1,507) monthly. This only applies to full-time workers in Spain. For part-time workers, the hourly minimum wage is €8.87 (USD $10.10).

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Grace Dandan

Content Creator at Pacific Prime

Grace is a content creator with over 7 years of experience in the digital marketing space. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts from De La Salle University, which provided her with foundational skills in news writing, TV and film production, photography, and media. She has worked in different industries, including journalism, editorial, social work, fintech, beauty and eCommerce, providing a variety of digital works not limited to social media content, blogs, articles and presentation decks.

At Pacific Prime, Grace focuses on simplifying complex concepts on international health insurance to make these topics easily accessible and understandable for our target audience. Being a Filipino born in Hong Kong, she understands the struggles of most immigrants and expats in finding the right insurance solutions while in another country. Her goal is to redefine most people’s perception of insurance, that it is an investment for one’s protection and future.

In her spare time, Grace is either at home or at Hong Kong Disneyland. She loves reading, watching movies and K-dramas, and attending dance classes.

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