Moving to Spain | TheaterFire

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Dslre@reddit

You can't live introverted in Spain when it's a lively city thats extroverted. Everyone there lives life to the fullest as there's no lack for anything and everything is so clean and the food the healthiest.I learned to be more outgoing and extroverted because of Spain whereas before I was introverted and didnt want to talk to anyone. Everyone is friendly with each other to the point where they invite you into their home with open arms. I was surprised to find myself in a beautiful 17th century building that looked modern as hell as the tenants invited me over for a week to stay. Spin is the most beautiful country on earth. Shockingly beautiful and amazing

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buzzzlightyeehe@reddit

Take the risk but Spain is trash (I'm spanish myself). Taxes are high as hell, country is being fucked with uncontrolled immigration, heat is genuinely a problem during the summer, and while the general cost of living is cheap (mostly south), renting is a nightmare because the infrastructure. Everything is mad outdated.

It's a beautiful country just ran down by government and I won't change anytime soon. Take those into account, maybe come for a bit and then get out and go somewhere else.

My honest opinion from someone who gree up and has seen a lot there.

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Bubs_on_the_move@reddit (OP)

Thanks for your response. Thats pretty much any country now I guess.

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Top-Half7224@reddit

Exactly. "Uncontrolled immigration" is a tag line of the far right. Immigration is necessary to replace an aging generation and bring in skilled and unskilled labour. High taxes, high COL, and low investment in infrastructure is directly the cause of govenment debt and right wing parties redirecting capital to special interests and the wealthy asset owners.

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proof_required@reddit

Yeah it has become to go to phrase for everything wrong with these countries. Spanish economy was never great and add high youth unemployment etc but somehow it's all those pesky immigrants that have kept Spanish economy in its current state, not their own government.

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iagovar@reddit

Maybe it's just true.

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proof_required@reddit

Have you thought maybe you are wrong?

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Kroketten2@reddit

I hope your people will rise up and destroy what came to overrun you. Groetjes from a Dutch patriot, we have the same problem.

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Dslre@reddit

Youre lucky to live in Spain. What kind of business are you setting up there?

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Ok_Wave2581@reddit

You don't mention where you're from, which no doubt will play a part in a move to Spain.

I will share my experience, but please know this is only my experience / opinion and YMMV greatly.

I'm an American, but also a New Yorker, and very much an introvert. I had the opportunity to come to Spain and work legally for 8 months. I've been here since the end of October 2025, and my work contract ends next week at the end of May. This is not my first time living in Europe or visiting Spain, after college I worked in London and traveled extensively.

I treated this opportunity as my adult gap year to live in Spain and see if it's a place I want to stay long-term and possibly retire in.

While I've had a good adventure and had the opportunity to travel all around the country, I now know that Spain is not the right place for me. I'm actually excited to return to NYC, where luckily, I still have an apt. Culturally, I've learned Spain is not a good fit for me. I prefer living in a place with more diversity of people, food, and culture.

Before you make a big move, I would highly encourage you to live here for a few months to get the feel of the country as an immigrant rather than a tourist. Or, make sure you have an escape route if it doesn't work out.

I will quote something I read here on Reddit (in this sub I think): "It is not about (a place being) objectively good or bad, it's about your bullshit matching theirs."

For me, my bs doesn't match Spain's. But again, YMMV.

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0Hakuna_Matata0@reddit

I lived in Atlanta. I am happy here in Spain and hope to stay but I miss the diversity of food. In Atlanta you can get anything you can imagine. Korean Chinese Ethiopian whatever. Here where I am, if I want spicy I have to go to a very authentic Chinese hot pot place. Every other time when I get something that says ‘spicy’ it’s sweet. I’m so tired of sweet food

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personwithfriends@reddit

This is very useful and I think a healthy perspective. Find a place that matches your 💩

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JosebaZilarte@reddit

As a Spaniard that has traveled around, now I see my country as a relatively good place to live... But not to work in. The food is objectively good (something I took for granted until I spend some time in Scandinavia) and the social life can be great if you manage to make a few friends. However, the low salaries, high bureaucracy levels and the tax system make it a rather bad country to spend your best working years in.

My suggestion? Spend a couple of weeks visiting both coasts (the Atlantic side and the Mediterranean side are quite different) and the center of the peninsula. Not as a tourist but as a potential expat (checking prices, looking at transit systems, etc.). Then, you'll have a much better idea of the country and whether it is for you.

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Aggressive_Wait1733@reddit

beaurocracy.. no idea why they can't streamline it a bit. All goverments are annoying, but holy heck.

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JosebaZilarte@reddit

Because there are a lot of cozy jobs that depend on it. Most of the processes could have been automated a long time ago, but even if you want an online certificate, you often have to go in person to an office that opens from 9:00 to 9:15 every two blue moons.

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Rasmatakka@reddit

I don't know. Actually once you have the certificate it is just great. Something like that doesn't even exist in Germany. And the people at hacienda in Valencia helped me a lot with it 6 years ago. I had to go there for some multa and they went out of their ways to help me explaining and installing the certificate. That what so nice once again. Actually burocracia in Germany is worse!!

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Aggressive_Wait1733@reddit

lol very true. memories of my tax number fun.

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Virtual-End1827@reddit

Well, the world is large. I presume you investigated this before you moved?

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Aggressive_Wait1733@reddit

yep, but you can research all you want. living it is different... with everything

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AltruisticRaisin8594@reddit

This is the best thread I’ve read for insight into moving to Spain. Although comments could have been more City specific lol. Thank you all!

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Zestyclose-Praline88@reddit

My husband and I just moved to Spain as well, and we’re also in our 30s. Don’t let some of the overly critical comments scare you - we absolutely love living here.

We spent the last few years working in Germany, and honestly, we’ve found the taxes and bureaucracy there to be much worse. We were actually surprised by how efficient and straightforward things have been in Spain. Getting our town registration, social security number, tax ID, etc. was all very smooth and hassle-free.

You may also be eligible for the Beckham Law, which can be a huge financial advantage depending on your situation.

So far, we genuinely couldn’t be happier with the move and honestly aren’t planning on leaving anytime soon :-)

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Bubs_on_the_move@reddit (OP)

Thank you thats quite reassuring.

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expatkk522@reddit

I’m in my 30s. Single, female, no kids, from the States. moved here early last year, in Barcelona. Where are you trying to land in Spain? And what type of business?

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Bubs_on_the_move@reddit (OP)

Manufacturing

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Top-Vacation-4429@reddit

My sister took the plunge and absolutely loved living in Spain. She was there for 5 years. Unfortunately the poverty just got too tiresome. They couldn’t afford to travel, go to concerts, or accomplish any of their goals (like starting a family). As long as you have money Spain is nice. If you’ve make a local wage it’s really tough.

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0Hakuna_Matata0@reddit

Not sure how you’re going to get away with being introverted unless you live in a house outside the city or town. We’re all literally living on top of each other here. As I got older I learned to be social and extroverted. You go to the same markets and cafes and people get to know you over time. Now when I leave my apartment I pass by the bartender and have to at least say hi, the cashiers at the market recognize me and talk to me, the flower store owner, etc all know different things about me and I have to talk when I see them or else it’s rude. Neighbors in the building, their regularly visiting family ask me questions about things they know about me. It can be a bit much even for me. Introversion would probably get forced out of you tbh. I guess you could be like that weird guy on the 7th floor that never talks to anyone

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BerghainReject7@reddit

I think this is accurate - and it leads to another unique Spanish thing, chisme ( gossip). It’s on a different level in Spain and information about other people is traded as social currency. If you land in a smaller town, then everyone will know you after 3-weeks and will talk about you in detail. The thing is there is very little happening in the small towns and everyone knows each other, so the gossip is the what keeps it going Of course, this happens in other places but in Spain it’s just so much more out in the open & exaggerated.

If you‘re a private person, it can feel overwhelming & invasive. One of the reasons for so much gossip is Spaniards are notoriously non-confrontational or direct - they would much rather complain to 10 of your neighbors than tell you directly if something is wrong.

again, you can google this information to independently verify it.

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Serious_Escape_5438@reddit

Well, you can avoid that if you move to a big city where nobody knows you, but that definitely won't be quiet.

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Rasmatakka@reddit

I don't know, the gossip is real. And the poster described exactly my life here in Las Palmas. Before i used to live in Valencia. Same.

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Serious_Escape_5438@reddit

Those are pretty small cities maybe, I don't know, I live in a suburb and don't even know many of my neighbours, definitely didn't when I lived in the city.

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Rasmatakka@reddit

Well Valencia is the 3rd big city in Spain and Las Palmas the 6th

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Serious_Escape_5438@reddit

València feels small compared to Barcelona. But ok, if that's your experience, I'm sure it depends on the exact circumstances. As I say I've found people aren't very open so you don't know people enough to gossip

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Rasmatakka@reddit

Its true Valencia is diffierent and maybe apart from the city centre each barrio feels a bit like a pueblo on it's own like Benimaclet or Malvarrosa (which they were).

Las Palmas i don't know. Afterall Gran Canaria is an island which in the end you notice.

But it all is a huge difference if you are used to big cities like Berlin. I mean i kind of like it having small interactions in the street or the supermarket. I like living here and been in Spain for more than 10 years.

People are very open for having small talk in my experience (of course in Spanish) but they have very closed groups to make real friends.

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BerghainReject7@reddit

also true about friend spanish friend groups. you will never be considered one of them, even if you speak absolutely perfect Spanish. it will it happen

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itisme61@reddit

Gewoon doen, niet doen is later spijt hebben.

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Tasty-Information-20@reddit

Create a company? ... Better look into Estonia than Spain. My Spanish accountant said Spain isn't the best place to work, settle and make money.

To be honest more solid advice would be set up a business where it is close to Spain and make sure the business model is good so that money is flowing in more than it flowing out. Taxes and admin overhead costs play a big role. If you aren't sure about all that then launch a pilot project rather than doing a full move and set up a business thing. Life over there doesn't exactly look like wallpaper photos titled Spain once you start living there.

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Virtual-End1827@reddit

Well, before you pack your bags, get a reality check on setting up a business in Spain, the labor and tax laws. If you still want to move after having done some really thorough research, good luck!

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ChetoChompipe@reddit

Spain is a good country to live in when you already have money. To make money it’s not good. You’ll get taxed to death and will have to deal with one of the worse bureaucratic processes ever. Don’t romanticize Spain, it is a beautiful country but not everything is sun and beaches and siesta.

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Nono_Home@reddit

Taxed to death? I’m Dutch and pay 57% tax is it more in Spain?

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ServedYou@reddit

How on earth do you get to pay 57% tax, on what? It can’t be income tax, because that isn’t true

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Nono_Home@reddit

I depends on what one earns!

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Aggressive_Wait1733@reddit

it's 50%ish, just like Spain over what amounts to a low middle class income. it's insane

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Humble_Insurance8294@reddit

spaniards are crybabies

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Bubs_on_the_move@reddit (OP)

Thank you for your response

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upearlytoday23@reddit

If you have the opportunity, I would do it. Otherwise you’ll always wonder.

Worst case, you move back if it doesn’t work out.

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Humble_Insurance8294@reddit

eh it depends where you're moving to, rural spain is nothing like urban spain

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BerghainReject7@reddit

If you're quiet & introverted, you may want to reconsider Spain. First - it's extremely loud, everywhere & all the time, unless you live in s single family home in an isolated location. Spanish people do not think of others when it comes to noise - it's very common to hear barking dogs at all hours & in very close proximity. They leave them alone on their terraces to bark day & night. Just google it and you can see for yourself. If you talk to the owner you'll be met with a blank stare or "thats what dogs do"

Also - your neighbors will likely watch television & play music at very loud volume. If you ask to turn it down, it will probably go up.

You really have to be prepared for constant noise every & at all times bc you will experience this for sure.

The idea around consideration of others does not exist in Spain. Portugal is better in this way. But, there Northern European countries may be more suitable

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TomBerlin100@reddit

Could not have said it any better. This exactly reflects Spain. Take my award, stranger. Especially the dog issue is so on point.

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Rasmatakka@reddit

And the endless construction noise can be pure torture sometimes especially if you work from home

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BerghainReject7@reddit

yeah, and if you live in an apartment building, there is a very high chance there are AirBnbs operating in that building - either legal or illegal, nobody enforces the laws.

and if there are AirBnbs, the get reddy for the hen parties and every other loud activity you can imagine, That would be my first question when looking at an apartment in Spain- how many Airbnbs or short-term rentals are in the building ?

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Rasmatakka@reddit

Yes, i live in an appartement building where the complete upper floor is bought up by some Norwegians and winter months (when they are here) are not so pleasant. Because the walls are really paper thin. I here a cough or an incoming SMS from neighbours living 1 or 2 floors below so you can imagine what it's like with someone next door. Pretty much as if they were in my room. Oh and we can practically stare in each others beds standing by the windows.

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claudia_kroll@reddit

Spain is a great fit for introverted couples who want calm, beautiful surroundings without big-city chaos. A few honest things to factor in:

Bureaucracy is real. Setting up a business, getting your NIE, opening a bank account - all of it takes longer than it should. Build extra time and patience into your plan.

The quiet regions are underrated. If you're drawn to calm and secluded, look beyond Barcelona and Madrid - Extremadura, inland Andalusia, and parts of Valencia and Castilla y León offer stunning quality of life at a fraction of the cost.

Autónomo (self-employed) taxes are high. If you're running a business, get a good gestor early - the tax structure for self-employed residents catches a lot of people off guard.

Healthcare is excellent once you're registered as a resident. Don't skip that step.

On the property side - if you're thinking about buying rather than renting as you set up roots, the Spanish residential market in 2026 has some interesting dynamics worth understanding before you commit to a city. I run under500k.ai, a platform that tracks international property markets, and we just published a full Spain residential market analysis for 2026: under500k.ai/market-analysis/spain-residential-2026 - covers pricing trends, best value cities, and what to watch out for as a foreign buyer. Worth a read before you decide where to base yourself.

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Kroketten2@reddit

Portugal is beter if you are scared of tax. Italy probably ad well. And the food in Italy wins for me but that is subjective. I have been to Spain a lot and what annoys me is how people treat each other. Walking in front of you. Parking their car to close on someon elses. The small things.

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Top-Half7224@reddit

Fi you are calm, quiet, and secluded people look at the northern provinces. Culturally you may find it easier to settle in. The south is pretty hot and intense with a lot of extroverted people and nightlife.

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Deep_Blood7314@reddit

I wish I had the same opportunity when I was in my 30s. We spent a lovely week in Valencia this year. Not all is milk and honey, but the upside compared to where we live now, would make the move worthwhile. Good luck.

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Far_wide@reddit

I'm an introvert also moving to Spain. It just obviously depends where you go - we're going to have the reverse problem in that our neighbour seems to be unusually focused on pure quiet.

Be wary of anyone here discouraging you heavily, there are unfortunately a minority of Spanish redditors who seem to have a hobby of actively discouraging anyone else living in Spain.

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Kind-Network9448@reddit

Good luck your new business and you should definitely go that way you don’t regret it in the future. That’s what I learned in life. Im currently living in Europe and also wanting to move back to Spain as I enjoyed living there. I am a native speaker in English and Spanish. Grew up in New York. Could I DM you if you allow as is I’d like the possibility to talk to you about your business and if possible somehow contribute. Hope you see my message

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Bubs_on_the_move@reddit (OP)

Thank you