Cost of Living in Spain: A Comprehensive Guide

The country of Spain is admired for its remarkable history and its spectacular culture. It’s home to some prestigious universities which attract numerous students from around the world. Evidently, the cost of living is something to be considered whether you're a student or worker looking to relocate to Spain. One can also create an Excel spreadsheet to estimate expenditures. This friendly guide will help you anticipate living costs in Spain.

About Spain

The beautiful country of Spain (Reino de Espana), to be pinpointed on the map, is located in the extreme southwest of Europe, having France meeting its northern territory and Portugal to its west. Spain experiences cold and dry winters as well as hot and dry summers. Although the weather is enjoyable all around the year since it's commonly sunny and pleasant, so if you're considering moving to Spain anytime soon for the purpose of education or work, you might want to estimate the cost of living in Spain.

Areas in Spain Suitable for Student Accommodation

For the most part, the cost of living in Spain is more affordable compared to other European countries. That's one reason why many immigrants move here to have a decent life with minimal expenses. 

Spain's real estate market can be a cherry on top of your low cost of living in Spain. However, the prices for renting or buying a property in Spain will highly differ from location to location. The main cities like Barcelona and Madrid are more expensive than Seville, Alicante or Valencia. Refer to this link to learn more about the best places to live in Spain. Let's dive more into some specific cities to know the average rent in Spain. 

1. Barcelona

Barcelona, the capital of Spain's Catalonia region, is well known for its art, culture, and fantastic climate; it is a hub for startups and innovation. Famous landmarks here include the Sagrada Familia, Casa Batllo, Casa Mila, etc. Barcelona is also home to some top universities: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, and many more.

As a part of your living expenses in Spain, the average rent in Barcelona includes a one-bedroom or studio apartment for about €726-€930, depending on the area, and a three-bedroom space for €1100-€1508. 

2. Madrid

Madrid, the capital of central Spain, is a city of magnificent boulevards and meticulously maintained parks like the Buen Retiro. It is recognized for having numerous collections of European art. Madrid's highest-ranking university is Universidad Autònoma de Madrid. Like Barcelona, Madrid is also considered an expensive city, with a somewhat high cost of living.

The average rent for a one-bedroom or studio apartment is between €716-€956, and a three-bedroom apartment would be about €1174-€1683.

3. Valencia

On Spain's southeast coast, where the Turia River empties into the Mediterranean Sea, is the port city of Valencia. It is renowned for having modern City Arts and Sciences featuring a planetarium, an oceanarium, an interactive museum, and many beaches.

Rent in Valencia is also very student friendly; a one-bedroom or studio apartment may cost around €751 in the city, whereas the same will cost around €510 monthly outside the city.

A larger 3-bedroom apartment for shared space will cost around €1,100 in the city and around €785- €880 outside the city. 

4. Seville

Seville is one of the least expensive cities in Spain, and the living expenses in Spain, to be determined based on accommodation, can be vastly managed in this city. It is the capital of Andalusia(southern Spain) and the birthplace of Flamenco art. It has a majorly captivating architecture of cathedrals and monuments.

Your average rent in Seville, Spain, for One-bedroom or studio apartments, will cost you around €445- €625, depending on the area. Three-bedroom apartments can be rented for €689- €1000 per month. In the end, it’s up to you to decide where you want to live and what amenities you will be offered, keeping in mind your average living cost in Spain, AKA your budget.

Tip: Check the amberstudent website to find comfortable and easy accommodation in Spain.

What is the Total Cost of Living in Spain as a Student?

To determine the average cost of living in Spain won't be the same for everyone; it mainly depends on the location and the type of accommodation; apart from that, your living expenses in Spain will differ according to your way of living, preferences, and interests. Not everybody will spend money on everything in the same way. 

Below are some common factors affecting the cost of living in Spain for students, including groceries, food, transportation and miscellaneous expenses.

Cost of Groceries in Spain

When living abroad, most students prefer making food independently instead of ordering takeout or dining at restaurants to confine their living expenses in Spain. Once you have settled down, groceries are at the top of your cost of living in Spain list. Fortunately, food and groceries in Spain are quite affordable. Cheese and wine are very popular here and inexpensive too. Here's a small list guiding you through the estimated costs of some common products.

How to save on Cost of Groceries in Spain?

Some things are easier said than done, you may find yourself overspending on groceries and might not even realize it , here’s how you can save on groceries in Spain. 

1. Make a list
2. Download Grocery saving apps
3. Do not shop on an empty stomach
4. Keep an eye out for sales

Cost of Food in Spain

An amazing fact about eating out in Spain, it is inexpensive compared to other European countries. One must remember that not all restaurants are affordable, so exploration and connecting with people is necessary. In today's world, Spain has a high level of diversity, so in most cities, you can try all types of cuisines: Mexican, Chinese, Indian, Italian and, of course, Spanish native food. 

Many restaurants here offer "meal of the day", which costs around €10-15. A normal meal will cost you around €10-20.  Consistently eating out won't be good for your finances and managing living expenses in Spain; it's always better to have a good home-cooked meal.

How to Spend Wisely on the Cost of Food in Spain?

The answer to this question is a no-brainer, your cost of living in Spain can get affected in a good way if you decide to cook a meal rather than eating out on daily basis, make sure you have fancy meals on special days and not everyday, this will help you restrict spending a lot of money on expensive restaurants.

Cost of Transportation in Spain 

One of the toughest challenges and adjustments to be made by an international student in an unknown country is figuring out the local transport systems. Cities in Spain are comparatively small, and you can get anywhere you need to be within 10-15 minutes of walking. The biggest mistake a student can make is to take a taxi to get to every destination, which might cost more money than expected, hampering your living expenses in Spain. To beat the odds, taking a bus or metro will be more convenient. 

1. Bus

To travel within the city, you can commute by bus, having your transport card will avail you discounts on your short trips and may save you a decent amount of money, for instance, if the fare for your one ride is 1 euro, with a transport card it will be 60 cents. Additionally, the tariff is almost half of the taxis. To have the upper hand, know where you must be for better communication with drivers.

2. Trains

If travelling from city to city in Spain, it's recommended to take the high-speed train(Alta Velocidad Española). They are some of the best trains Spain offers; it operates at 311 km/h and is one of the cheapest in Europe. The speed trains are fast and have a ton of room, free wi-fi, food, and drinks. They are rarely late and offer the best cleanliness a public transport vehicle can provide.

Renfe is the train website for looking up the timings, destinations, and other factors. Renfe has initiated a comprehensive modernization program that has reduced travel time by 50%. Train prices vary from €20-40 depending on the location and zone.

3. Metro

Almost all the important cities in Spain have a metro; the others have a metro-like advanced tram system. Ticket prices solely depend on the distance to be travelled; cities like Madrid and Barcelona may cost a tad bit more based on distance and the number of zones you travel. 

On the operators' official website, you may see maps of the Spanish metro system, Schedules, routes, and fares. The fare for the metro can fall between €1-€6 depending on zones and travel distance; get yourself a card from the newspaper stands, which can be found almost anywhere and make living in Spain fun. Using public transport will help manage your cost of living in Spain wisely.  

How to Use Transportation Conveniently in Spain?

Sign up for a travel card and maintain it’s balance, you will be good to go for the rest of your stay abroad. Avoid taking taxis and make sure you leave early in order to avoid heavy rush in public transports.

Cost of Healthcare in Spain

To have an overview of the healthcare system and health insurance in Spain, you must know everything, from who is eligible for public healthcare coverage to finding a suitable doctor in your area and what expenses are to be expected to ease up your monthly cost of living in Spain for unanticipated changes. 

Who is eligible for public healthcare in Spain?

• Legal residency; 
• registration with the Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social (INSS), the National Institute of Social Security;
• An individual public health card tarjeta sanitaria individual (you must provide this card each time you enter a public hospital or health facility).

If you don't meet the above criteria, the Spanish social security offers a special pay-in scheme, the Convenio Especial. A monthly charge permits you to access the public health care system.

By submitting the form TA-0040 to the local social security office, you can apply for the Convenio Especial. Convenio Especial is allowed to be used for a monthly fee of 60 EUR. The average cost of private health insurance is typically from 100-200 EUR in addition to your living expenses in Spain. Although an aspirin will only cost you €0.18 today.

How to Save on the Cost of Healthcare in Spain?

The first and foremost thing you must own in order to save on healthcare costs in Spain, is to have health insurance. Sickness is an unannounced and uninvited guest in your body. Besides, always have a pack of aspirin or cold medicine with you. Lastly it is important to take care of your health. Have a good diet, drink enough water and take your vitamins.

Miscellaneous Expenses

Your average cost of living in Spain will not be all about daily necessities and work; fun is also considered a vital factor in the list. Many might overlook that there will be expenditures on numerous unplanned events, and going out to the movies, parks, theatres, and physical activities is an inevitable part of the cost of living in Spain. 

Here are Top 15 things to do in Spain during your stay there.

Below is the list guiding you through some common sports and leisure activities expenses. 

Monthly utilities also determine your average living cost in Spain. Of the weather and location in the country, the costs may differ. People may need more heat in some places when it gets colder, while they may need more air conditioning when it gets very hot.

Internet access is also reasonably priced. One benefit of being part of the EU is that your phone's internet functions well even when you travel to other EU nations. Whether in Italy, France, or any other EU country, there are no roaming fees and no need to purchase a new SIM card. 

How to Save on Miscellaneous Expenses in Spain?

Don't spend on things unnecessarily. Cafe wi-fi are your best friends. Don't opt for high end leisure activities often. It is important to think before spending money on anything when living abroad, keep an expense journal and track your savings for unseen misfortunes in the future.

No matter how prepared you are, your estimated average cost of living in Spain can be miscalculated. Missing out on things is a normal part of life. One can only learn and grow. So, take it slow, and embrace the change for your new life abroad. Managing finances might get difficult. Hence, utilize this guide to break down your cost of living in Spain and determine your average living cost in Spain. Know that you know the cost of living in Spain, you will be able to save your money, and the best place to store that money is in one of the best banks in Spain. You can check out our webstory on the best banks in Spain to know more!