Spain: Living

Communities of Expatriates

The Number of Expatriates

The census shows that the number of foreigners in the country represent one tenth of the population that is 4.5 million people.

For Further Information

Directory of expatriate clubs

Immigration Authority

Interior Department

Transportation Companies For Moving/Removals

International packers and movers located in Spain
Gil Stauffer
Grupo Amygo

Ranking of Cities

Cost of Living

Madrid is the 105th most expensive city in the world according to the Mercer Index 2016.

Quality of Life

Mercer's 2017 Quality of Living Survey ranks Madrid 51st out of 231.

Sanitary Conditions

The health care conditions are good. The health care system is free but there is often a long wait.

For Further Information

Quality of Living Worldwide City Rankings –Survey - Mercer
Cost of Living Worldwide City Rankings –Survey - Mercer

Renting an Apartment

Description of apartments

All types of accommodations can be seen in Spain, from a paying guest room in a resident's house to a villa with garden and private swimming pool. "The apartamento" corresponds to a studio. Apartment is said "piso" in Spanish. The "atico" is a lodging in the top floor just below the roof. The size of an apartment is determined by the number of bedrooms (habitaciones).

Normal Lease Term

The contract is open-ended. If it is drawn up for less than 5 years, it will be automatically renewed each year up to 5 years, unless one of the parties terminates the contract or its extension 30 days before its expiry date. If it is drawn up for 5 years, the contract can be extended by a one-year period up to 8 years, unless one of the parties terminates the contract or its extension 30 days before its expiry date.

The annual discounting of the rental amount can be fixed contractually; if not, the official rate of the CPI (consumer price index) is applicable. Some building improvement work done by the owner can lead to a further increase in rent.

Rental Costs

The guarantee required is usually a bank guarantee or another payment security.

In addition, it is necessary to pay off:
- rent for 1 month (rents are payable in advance, from the 1^st to 7^th of the month in question),
- 1 month's rent or 10% of the annual rent if one goes through an agency or a property manager,
and get water, gas and electricity connections, if it is not already available in the accommodation.

Agencies or Private Rentals

There are many real estate agencies but their number is decreasing because of the crisis. To rent from an individual, refer the small ads in the local newspapers (especially the Sunday papers) and walk around the streets of the selected area to take down the contact details on the « En alquiler » posters put up on the properties (they are often placed by the agencies). This is cheaper than renting directly from an individual.

Rental Agency Websites

Buscainmobiliarias.com

Private Rentals Announcements Online

Segunadamano
En Alquiler
Foto Casa

Other Possibilities For Accommodation

Staying as paying guests or sharing rooms is very common in Spain.

School System

School Level

Public education is free and compulsory up to the age of 16 years.
It is made up of:
- Child education: from 0 to 3 years: public (or private) day-care centers (only paying type) and from 3 to 6 years: kindergarten.
- Primary education: 6 classes free with an assessment in 4^th year
- CSE-Compulsory Secondary Education: 4 classes with an assessment in 2^nd year and a completion diploma
- Baccalaureate or Professional Training: 2 classes with a final diploma
- Entrance exam for the « Selectividad » University or for higher professional education: 3 years of university studies or Professional Training with a final diploma equivalent to the bachelor's degree. At the University, the studies can be continued to obtain a master's degree or a doctorate.

Private education follows the same curriculum and is usually set. In Catalonia, teaching of all subjects is in Catalan.

International Schools

National association of British schools in Spain, International schools in Spain,
You can find the international schools in the National registry of schools by typing the keyword "internacional".

For Further Information

Ministry of Education and Science

Health System

Quality of Healthcare

Spanish healthcare system follows Western European standards.. It is accessible to everyone, everywhere and free of cost except if you go and visit a private doctor.

International Hospitals

The healthcare system in Spain is generally of a high standard. Public hospital facilities are generally well equipped. For a list of hospitals consult this link.

Health Insurance

Yes

Accessibility of the Health Insurance Network to Foreigners

Possible

Health System Insurance Body

Seguridad social

Tourism and Culture

Individual and Civic Freedoms

Political Freedom

Total, except for terrorist organizations (ban on the political party Batasuna).

Civil Liberty

1/7

World Ranking of Freedom of the Press According to "Reporters sans Frontières", 2021 report : 29/180

Free Access to the Internet

Total

Rule of Law

Rule of law.

Personal Autonomy and Individual Rights

Respected

Women's Condition

Equal rights.
In fact, the prevailing male chauvinism leads to violence and murders. There are also differences in salaries between men and women.

For Further Information

Amnesty International
Global categorization of the freedom of the Press by Reporter without boundaries

Religion

Degree of Freedom

Total.

Beliefs

Catholics 77% (50% practicing); Muslims, Protestants, etc.: 3%; non believers: 19%.

Role of Religion in Society

The Spanish society has been dechristianizing gradually since the advent of democracy. However the Spanish Episcopal conference is attempting to influence the political choices of the people. The teachings give a choice between catechism and civic education which is strongly opposed in the regions controlled by the right. The IRPF provides for an option to make financial payments in favor of the Church.

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