Why Spain became so popular nowadays?
Posted by Great-Mycologist-809@reddit | expats | View on Reddit | 79 comments
I am Brazilian (26M) and lived in Barcelona for few months, I noticed so many people coming to Spain even though the wages were not great, even people accepted a considered pay cut just be able to live there, and in other parts of Spain as well, many Americans, Brits, Irish, German, etc...
Maleficent-Main-8470@reddit
Best country in the world besides the wages
truffelmayo@reddit
“Nowadays”?? It’s been very popular for a decade or more now.
Great-Mycologist-809@reddit (OP)
not quite so much, just by latin americans who were economic immigrants, not for rich americans for example
Top-Half7224@reddit
Lots Americans are running away from their problems in the US.
Calm_Violinist5256@reddit
most of us are just looking for cheaper places to retire, with decent weather.
TheChanger@reddit
From an Irish perspective it’s the weather. Irish summers have become terrible over the last few years — they are worse than a winter in SolCal, Aus or NZ. Pure wet, cold misery.
YakPersonal9246@reddit
But you don’t need to move there to enjoy proper summers. I lived in Ireland and a lot of folks there working remotely would work from Spain or Italy or Greece for an entire month and then spend more 4 weeks during the summer in tropical places like Thailand or Bali Indonesia, and they still would have much more weeks during the year (plus bank holidays) to enjoy.
You don’t have that kind of flexibility and financial power in Spain. Money is very low and few companies allow working remotely from another country that long.
TheChanger@reddit
That’s a good point. But it’s getting more difficult to find companies that will allow 100% remote working, never mind outside the country for 1/2 months.
YakPersonal9246@reddit
I lived in Portugal, Spain and Ireland and I had more quality of life in Ireland. I had too many benefits and life was very relaxed and way easier despite the weather.
Hellolaoshi@reddit
Whether or not Spain is fashionable among those lucky people with good jobs and money, the country has always tended to have a shortage of available housing for normal Spanish people to live in. Housing has tended to be expensive for Spanish people when you take their real salaries into account.
Designer-Baker1404@reddit
Spain’s appeal is a blend of factors: its vibrant culture, beautiful weather, and relatively affordable cost of living compared to other Western European countries. For many expats, the charm of cities like Barcelona and Madrid, combined with a welcoming atmosphere and the opportunity to enjoy a higher quality of life, makes Spain an attractive destination
ComprehensiveYam@reddit
Not everyone earns a living from a wage in that country.
mikehamp@reddit
Spain offers freedom and personal responsibility. Here is a culture that understands human nature at a fundamental level. I love the balance of anarchy and safety. No other country in the world gets it so right , except maybe Czech republic, but weather is the swing vote for Spain. Someone once told me California was the best part of America, well Spain is the best part of Europe.
No-Tip3654@reddit
Spain offers freedom? More so than the other EU countries you'd say?
Argentina4Ever@reddit
Compared to the likes of Germany and Denmark that have such a big need to control almost every aspect of its resident's lives, yes it does feel more free.
Dropmeoffatschool@reddit
Perhaps you should ask yourself why you went there and then you will have answered your own question.
Great-Mycologist-809@reddit (OP)
I am Brazilian mate, you can't compare a minimum wage of 250 euros to 1100 euros, it's not the same as someone taking a pay cut
almalam@reddit
But why do you choose spain and not a country with higher salaries?
Great-Mycologist-809@reddit (OP)
easier to integrate, good language, latinos everywhere so nice people, good weather, 2 years of residency to apply for citizenship as a latino and studies
slack3d@reddit
Sorry to hijack this thread but can you elaborate on the 2yr residency to get Citizenship! I'm also Brazilian.
Great-Mycologist-809@reddit (OP)
once you're on the residency visa, after living 2 years legally you can apply for the citizenship
MeanLet4962@reddit
“Latinos everywhere so nice people” - would love to hear more about the other boxes you place different folks in
m00z9@reddit
Latinos are nice. Deal with it!!
Cope!
MeanLet4962@reddit
Wooah, abrupt much? I didn’t say they weren’t nice, otherwise I wouldn’t have a single Latino friend. I’m challenging the black and white thinking in that statement I responded to.
Please spare me your cheap insecurity and drop your authoritative attitude with me, unless you’re determined to persuade me of your inability to read a text and how intellectually challenged you are.
Great-Mycologist-809@reddit (OP)
well I love Slavic people as well, the ones I met were great, I dated Russian and Ukrainian girls, have Polish friends, no problem so far, just good things about them :))
Great-Mycologist-809@reddit (OP)
For me Latinos are great to be around, I like my people and our way of being, I don't see myself fitting well in German society, for example, that's my view of things :))
CatApologist@reddit
Why not Portugal?
Argentina4Ever@reddit
Because it is worse in everyway. Portugal immigration system is collapsed to the point it takes years to regularize anything like residence permits.
Much more buruecratic country, citizenship takes 5 years of residency instead of 2 and it also takes a lot longer to process.
Salaries are even worse and in my opinion there is far greater prejudice agaisnt Brazilians in Portugal than it is in Spain.
Dropmeoffatschool@reddit
I would guess of those you assume are taking a pay cut, many are working remotely. Earning their large salaries and living in Spain. I’m sure there are plenty that have also moved there for a more relaxed work culture and life, but Spain is a pretty popular and well known digital nomad destination.
ma_che@reddit
People have different reasons. OPs question is pertinent.
Telecom_VoIP_Fan@reddit
As far a British people go, the Med climate is a key attraction. Also, get the impression that it is easier to live on a UK pension in Spain than in the UK.
Gold-Instance1913@reddit
Not sure it's so popular any more. For a while it was popular for warmth and sun. Now, with baking hot weather, that's not a good thing, to have even more heat and sun.
jazzyjeffla@reddit
Thanks for asking this because I’ve noticed a massive difference from when I first moved to Spain back in 2015 to now. ALL of my Facebook groups and Reddit groups are nonstop talking about moving to Spain.
Spain’s actually been doing really good these last couple of years and it’s been attracting young professionals. There’s loads of tech companies in Spain now, with offices in USA and other European countries. Along with remote workers, immigration, refugees(Venezuelans, and more), and ofc the always present retired folks from wealthier countries. It’s now become sooooo popular. Sun, culture, fiestas, quality of life. People love itttt.
It’s kinda scary.. but our population went up 500,000 since last year! It’s good because more money to the state but I don’t know if we’re able to really sustain all these new people. Our economy isn’t the best, and our healthcare system seems to be declining. From what I’ve heard. Dunno but hey 👋🏼 i left because 1,500€ a month was not enough to save for a future.
Top-Half7224@reddit
This is a problem in a lot of places, but youre right to be worried. Take a look at what's happening in Lisbon. In just a few years the rents have gone from some of the least expensive to most expensive in southern europe, traditional businesses (butchers, bakeries, opticians, etc) have been replaced by cafes selling 5 euro lattes and souvenir shops. The locals can't afford to live in the city they grew up in and not surprisingly nationalism is on the rise. The biggest concern is the lack of accessibility to health care, lots of sad stories lately of people dying in hospital waiting rooms because they weren't seen for 8 hours. Yet, every few weeks I see a publication putting Lisbon as one of the "top places to live". I am pretty sure it's just AI writing this stuff now, but they are obviously using pre-covid information.
jazzyjeffla@reddit
Honestly that’s been a problem everywhere. I moved to Australia and the exact same issues that Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Canada are having. People complaining about the cost of living, salaries that do not compare to the costs of goods, unaffordable housing, healthcare. But I rather struggle getting paid 5 times more in Australia than in Spain or Portugal. The salaries just do not make sense. They have tried to raise the minimum wage in both countries but that did nothing to help us afford anything.
There’s nothing wrong with immigration just as long as it’s done sustainably. But when it comes to the golden visas they need to really understand their implications.
Spain just released a new “UBI” for digital nomads. If you move to a remote place in Spain the government will give you 15,000€!? And ofc they were targeting foreign remote workers. Examples like these is why people can’t afford to live in their homes anymore. Don’t even get me started with Ibiza and the Balearic island. Nurses have to move now cause they can’t afford to live in the island anymore.
water5785@reddit
Did you grow up in Spain?? And do education there ?
Great-Mycologist-809@reddit (OP)
well that's something I've been thinking of, I graduated in ADE which can get some okay jobs in Spain, but in the long-term and high cost of living is not good, it's different to make 2000 euros in Spain than 2000 euros in Brazil, here I can rent an apartment alone and save up to 1000 euros easily per month, which is impossible nowadays in Spain.
so with that in mind, I think many people are moving to search for quality of life but not thinking properly about future retirement, nowadays the best option is to make money in a rich country and move to a cheaper one once you're financially set up.
Poland was a country I would like to live someday, how was the experience for you?
jazzyjeffla@reddit
See that’s my plan is to save save save so I can at least invest in Spain and eventually go back which some cash, and a remote job. I knew with what I wanted in life plus with how low salaries are in Spain I would never really get there.
Poland was great there’s so much potential there but again, it’s a European country with lowish salaries. I was lucky I left before inflation kicked in. It’s gone up a lot. But I don’t think I’d ever move back to Poland just because their mentality really clashes with mine.
Argentina4Ever@reddit
As a fellow Brazilian this question seems silly, Spain is culturally close to Brazil, has high standard of living with cheaper cost of living in comparison to other EU countries.
Language is close to ours, easy path to citizenship...
glwillia@reddit
as a brazilian, wouldn’t portugal feel culturally closer though?
Top-Half7224@reddit
Lisbon and Porto are outrageously expensive now and there are no jobs in the countryside.
batch1972@reddit
I don't think the Portuguese like Brazilians very much.
Great-Mycologist-809@reddit (OP)
well many are moving to Spain without that good income haha, that's why man
FixInteresting4476@reddit
I’d say it’s currently trending and it’s “cheap” for people from richer countries
Top-Half7224@reddit
Also much easier to get a visa than northern Europe.
ErnestBatchelder@reddit
For years people in the UK moved to Spain or Portugal for cheaper cost of living & sunshine, or retirement. Spains COL has gone up like everywhere, but I believe housing is still cheaper than the UK where income has stagnated but housing skyrocket.
And because of the golden visa Spain is good if an American wants to buy property, has housing in the US to sell, & flexibility in where they can live so they can take their US paycheck with them. Although most of the time Americans tend to romanticize the idea of the European lifestyle without understanding some of the long-term difficulties around European bureaucracy and other issues they aren't used to, but want to try the trade-off.
Top-Half7224@reddit
Spot on. Since Lisbon has gotten so expensive and they have done away with 90% of the golden visa scheme, many Americans are starting to look at Spain more these days too.
Top-Half7224@reddit
From my observations, many people seem to make big life decisions based on blogs and instagram photos. Spain always looks like a perfect life; sun, cheap wine, beaches. They don't think too much about the daily grind or long term practicality, just a dream of an easy life and happiness. Spain is a lovely country, but I agree, not the place to build a career or even retire unless you have close friends and/or family nearby.
genghis-san@reddit
It's the country with probably the best quality of life/lifestyle in the world. If I could take a pay cut to live there, I'd do it in a hearbeat.
Sensitive_Counter150@reddit
Good urbanism, cheap for Western Europe standards, amicable culture, friendly people, accessible language, good weather, good flight connections
iareagenius@reddit
And good food
m00z9@reddit
SEXXY Friendly People !
dunzdeck@reddit
Best answer!
sahelu@reddit
It depends, the Americans have a big chunk of money to invest and probably work/live remote. Similar cases with Germans, Brits, etc. Depending the city, housing could be affordable and the quality of living is very good compared to other places. In few words mainly the ones coming are the ones with already sufficient wealth built.
Great-Mycologist-809@reddit (OP)
oh yes, I saw a lot of advertisements in Barcelona with the saying "Apartment for sale, perfect for investors" jajajaa (muerto por dentro)
HVP2019@reddit
They think Spain will be an improvement for them.
Some hope to find better weather, others hope to find cheaper living. They all hope that the benefits will be more substantial than negatives you mentioned.
Some will be correct in those assumptions. Others will learn that they miscalculated and will discover that there are not enough positives to compensate for negatives.
In my case, for me personally, I don’t believe moving to Spain would lead to meaningful improvement.
water5785@reddit
Where are you from / have moved to?
HVP2019@reddit
From Eastern Europe about 2 decades ago.
Back then, moving to Spain or to USA would be an improvement for me.
Today? Not so much.
water5785@reddit
Did you move from Eastern Europe to where ?
HVP2019@reddit
To US
water5785@reddit
Ah sorry I misread :)
itsnobigthing@reddit
I think it’s always been that popular, you were just there to notice it now
HedonisticMonk42069@reddit
Instagram
SnorkBorkGnork@reddit
Before instagram Spain was already popular with Europeans: as a place for retirees, families running a hotel there or camping ground, etc.
HedonisticMonk42069@reddit
I agree with you. But I feel like these travel digital nomad or expat influencers have really ramped things up and are responsible for the significant and sudden influx. No surprise noting the very recent and more vocal anti tourist sentiment in Spain as well as in Mexico that I have seen.
DaveR_77@reddit
It's the only truly popular place in Europe ( maybe The Netherlands is a distant second).
But bottom line language makes a big difference. Many Americans know or speak some Spanish, Latin Americans either already speak Spanish (or Port) so that a huge number right there.
Plus Spanish society is more open than Italy or Greece.
Evening_Lifeguard_81@reddit
It's not just Spain.
luckymethod@reddit
Because it's awesome. Miss that country immensely and can't wait to go back when I retire
picklepuss13@reddit
Spain was popular when you were a baby. Both ppl going there to Madrid and Barcelona, for the culture, for summer programs, to party in Ibiza, etc… this isn’t a new thing? I’d anything maybe just working remote in Spain Portugal became a thing but Spain was always a super popular top euro destination for last 40 years at least.
Low_Bit_5036@reddit
I think it's a few reasons. It has good weather all year long. It's kinda like the Miami of Europe. Has a beachy and party vibe to it. And I think the Barcelona Football (soccer) team with the help of legends like Messi, Ronaldinho, and maybe even Neymar helped make the city Barcelona popular globally.
EatingCoooolo@reddit
The weather and cost of living.
doublestuf27@reddit
The weather is amazing, the people are mostly awesome, the food is decent, communication in daily life is fairly easy with basic Spanglish, and their nutjobs politicians are (at least for the moment) generally less toxic than most places’ nutjob politicians.
sokorsognarf@reddit
It’s a very appealing country good at most things
Delicious-Sale6122@reddit
It’s not
Great-Mycologist-809@reddit (OP)
you haven't stepped in Barcelona or Madrid then
Delicious-Sale6122@reddit
Of course I have.
former_farmer@reddit
I noticed that a lot of hot young girls were around the city. Spain also has better weather than most european countries.
jakub_199@reddit
YakPersonal9246@reddit
Most of them work remotely to foreign companies that grant them salaries 3x times higher than the average Spanish salary.
And some move here because they don’t like the weather there (too cold or rainy) and the cost of living is very high towards the entire Europe now.
But some come back after a few years, because they can’t integrate with the locals.