Moving to Spain?

If you’re considering a move to Spain, read Sterling Lexicon's Know Before You Go guide to learn about the culture, housing, education and more.

Fast Facts

Time Zone:

The time zone in Spain is Central European Time (GMT +1)

Largest Cities:

Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Bilbao

Size:

46.7 million people and 505,370 sq km

Currency:

The Euro is the only accepted currency in Spain.

Languages

72% of the population in Spain speak Spanish. Other languages include Galician and Catalan.

Climate:

When moving to Spain you can generally expect a Mediterranean climate, characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. The vast central plateau has hot, dry summers and cold winters.

Wealth:

Spain is classified as a high income economy and listed as 25th in the United Nations Human Development Index.

Location:

Spain is located on the Iberian Peninsula in Europe. It is bordered by Portugal and France and has coastlines on the Mediterranean Sea and Bay of Biscay.

The Spanish Culture

Family is one of the most important aspects of life in Spain. Family celebrations and gatherings with extended family are extremely frequent. It is very common to have multi-generation households in the country as well.

As you may have guessed, food plays an important part in everyday Spanish life. Lunch is often the biggest meal of the day and is often followed by a siesta (nap).

Greetings in the Spanish culture usually consist of a kiss on both cheeks for friends and family. In business settings or more formal introductions, a firm handshake is the norm.

The Spanish Culture

As you may have guessed, food plays an important part in everyday Spanish life. Lunch is often the biggest meal of the day and is often followed by a siesta (nap).

Greetings in the Spanish culture usually consist of a kiss on both cheeks for friends and family. In business settings or more formal introductions, a firm handshake is the norm.

Housing

Similar to other European countries, renting apartments is the preferred type of housing, especially if you’re an expat in Spain.

The three most common types of housing include Pisos, larger 2-3 bedrooms, Apartamientos, 1-2 bedrooms, and Estudios, one bedroom apartments.

Another popular option among expats relocating to Spain is house-sharing.

Moving pets

All pets entering Spain must carry a valid EU pet passport and be microchipped. Rabies and other vaccinations are required at least 21 days before travel and not more than one year before travel. Dogs, in some Spanish cities, are subject to an annual payment of a tax or license.

Moving pets

Shipping your Car to Spain

If you wish to import a car into Spain, you must either own property or have a rental agreement for a minimum of one year.

You must be considered a permanent resident and have a Spanish driving license.

Schooling

All children between the ages of 6 and 16 are required to be receiving an education.

The education system is free and supported by the national government. Spain is considered to have an excellent education system.

A majority of expatriates send their children to international schools, however some expats do consider public or semi-private schools as well.

Books, apple, pencils and alphabet blocks on desk

Schooling

All children between the ages of 6 and 16 are required to be receiving an education.

The education system is free and supported by the national government. Spain is considered to have an excellent education system.

A majority of expatriates send their children to international schools, however some expats do consider public or semi-private schools as well.

Moving to Spain Frequently Asked Questions [FAQ]

Disclaimer: Our Moving to France guide is written to provide an overview of the requirements and procedures for moving to France. It does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Your French visa application requirements and eligibility will depend on your unique circumstances. All readers are advised to contact their French consulate for specific information.

Fun Facts about our Spanish Office:

1

This area used to be farmland. The name of the whole neighborhood comes from the
name of the man who sold the first two pieces of land.

2

Our office of 12 people has 6 different nationalities.

3

We use 3 different languages when speaking with each other in the office. We call this our “Sterling Language.”😀

About our Madrid, Spain Office

Date Opened: 1 November 2008

Country Manager: Blanca Fariña

Location:

C. de López de Hoyos, 42, 28002
Madrid, Spain
+34 91 782 4618

Service offerings:

Local and international home moving services
Corporate employee relocation services
Assignment management services
Visa and immigration services
Move management services
Lump sum programme management
Advisory and consulting services

About our Madrid, Spain Office

Date Opened: 1 November 2008

Country Manager: Blanca Fariña

Location:

C. de López de Hoyos, 42, 28002
Madrid, Spain
+34 91 782 4618

Service offerings:

Local and international home moving services
Corporate employee relocation services
Assignment management services
Visa and immigration services
Move management services
Lump sum programme management
Advisory and consulting services

Female using calculator and male looking at paperwork

Ready to move?

Contact Sterling Lexicon today and get started with a virtual move survey.

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Moving to Spain?

Fast Facts

Time Zone:

Largest Cities:

Size:

Currency:

Languages

Climate:

Wealth:

Location:

The Spanish Culture

The Spanish Culture

Housing

Moving pets

Moving pets

Shipping your Car to Spain

Schooling

Schooling

Moving to Spain Frequently Asked Questions [FAQ]

Fun Facts about our Spanish Office:

1

This area used to be farmland. The name of the whole neighborhood comes from thename of the man who sold the first two pieces of land.

2

Our office of 12 people has 6 different nationalities.

3

We use 3 different languages when speaking with each other in the office. We call this our “Sterling Language.”😀

About our Madrid, Spain Office

About our Madrid, Spain Office

Ready to move?

This area used to be farmland. The name of the whole neighborhood comes from the
name of the man who sold the first two pieces of land.