Living in Spain: The Challenges, Salaries, and Rent

It's fair to say that life as an expat in Spain is a mix of unique experiences, opportunities and challenges.

As a family of four living here for the past five years, we've had to deal with everything from navigating the local bureaucracy to finding the right balance between salary and cost of living. In this article we'll look at our experiences, the reality of renting in Spain and what you need to earn to live comfortably here.

To get a better understanding of the current situation from the perspective of others, we asked 100 people on the street about their biggest challenges, how much they earn, what they work and how much they pay for rent. Let's take a look at their answers: 

It can be difficult to find an affordable place to live in many cities, especially on the popular Costa del Sol. For example, we currently live in a two-bedroom apartment in Benalmádena for €835 per month, which is considered reasonable for the area.

However, in our experience and that of others, rents can vary considerably depending on where you live and the size of the apartment. For example, in some street interviews we found people paying between €600 and €955 a month, while others have to share with flatmates just to get by. Finding a long-term place to live can be even more difficult during the high season, when short-term rentals for tourists are common.

Salary expectations can also vary greatly depending on the industry you work in. We've been lucky enough to work remotely for companies like Semrush, Amazon and others, which has meant we've earned much more than the average Spanish salary. 

But... for many people, earning €1,600 to €1,700 a month is normal, especially in customer service or sales roles. Some higher paid jobs can pay up to €3,000 a month, as one private driver we spoke to told us.

From what we've seen, a family of four can live comfortably in Spain if they have a monthly income of at least €4,000. This covers things like rent, food, utilities, kindergarten, baby stuff, a car and leisure. It's enough to cover our family's basic needs and allow us to enjoy the lifestyle we've come to love.

Salaries may be lower than in other parts of Europe, but you can make the cost of living in Spain work for you if you're smart about your spending. One of the biggest challenges is the Spanish bureaucracy. The never-ending paperwork, repeated trips to government offices and language barriers can be a huge time drain. For example, applying for a NIE or navigating the healthcare system often involves several visits and a lot of paperwork. The good news is that the Spanish government offers digital signatures to cut some of the red tape, but not everyone finds it easy to use.

The great thing about working remotely is the flexibility it allows. Izi's experience of working remotely in SaaS sales for companies like Semrush and Amazon has been great. It's been really positive to be able to live in Spain while working for global companies. It's a growing trend and something we really recommend if you're thinking of moving to Spain but want to keep your current salary.

When we first relocated to Spain, we faced some real challenges, especially with the language barrier. We speak Bulgarian, German and English, but we're still working on Spanish. Despite this, we've fallen in love with the people, the culture, and everything this country has to offer. We're always on the lookout for new places to explore, from Valencia to Torremolinos and now Benalmádena.

It's been a dream come true living here, but like many expats, it wasn't easy in the beginning. It can be tricky to find work if you don't speak Spanish fluently. On the plus side, we've been able to use our remote working and multilingual skills to our advantage.

From our interviews, we've found that many expats face similar challenges.

• One of the biggest challenges is finding affordable long-term housing, especially near the coast.

• Low salaries: A lot of the roles we see, particularly in customer service, don't pay much – sometimes less than €1,600 a month.

• Bureaucracy: One thing that everyone trying to settle in Spain has in common is that they dread the paperwork.

But the sunny weather, friendly locals and relaxed lifestyle make it all worthwhile in the end. As a family, we've been able to build a life here that strikes a good balance between work and personal fulfilment, and Spain has become our forever home.

In short, my conclusion is that... If you're thinking of moving to Spain, be prepared for the good times and the bad. You may have to deal with bureaucracy and housing issues, but the lifestyle and work-life balance make it all worthwhile. Our advice? If you can get a remote or higher-paying job, Spain offers an unbeatable quality of life.

We're Tanya and Izi, a multilingual family living our dream in Spain. Join us on Spaincheck.com as we share more about our journey and tips for those who want to make Spain their home too.