Moving to Spain Guide – Chapter 1 – Making The Dream a Reality
Introduction
The dream of living in Spain often starts with a family holiday. On the beach or in the mountains, wherever we go in Spain for two or three weeks a year, we experience the sun, the food and wine and we get a glimpse of the Spanish way of life which always appears more relaxed than the rat-race at home. On return to home or the office, the daydream starts. On the internet we start looking at houses for sale or rent in Spain and begin to calculate the money we might have available to fund a permanent move. But just how much do you know about Spain and the realities of living there?
Culture Quiz - How Well do you know Spain?
Test your knowledge with these 20 fun questions. Scroll down to see the answers!
1. What time do many Spaniards typically eat dinner?
A) 5:30 PM
B) 7:00 PM
C) 9:00–10:30 PM
D) Midnight
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2. What is the name of Spain’s high-speed train network?
A) Metro Rápido
B) AVE
C) Tren Grande
D) Veloz
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3. Which famous artist was born in Málaga?
A) Salvador Dalí
B) Pablo Picasso
C) Francisco Goya
D) Diego Velázquez
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4. What’s a “mercado”?
A) A type of dance
B) A beach café
C) A traditional market
D) A countryside walk
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5. What is the traditional Spanish drink made with wine and fruit?
A) Sangría
B) Tinto
C) Agua de vino
D) Rioja refresco
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6. What does “fiesta” mean in Spain?**
A) A quiet day
B) An election
C) A celebration
D) A church ceremony
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7. What pilgrimage route ends in Santiago de Compostela?
A) Camino de Sevilla
B) Madrid Trail
C) Camino de Santiago
D) Ruta del Sol
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8. Which language is co-official with Spanish in Barcelona?
A) Galician
B) Basque
C) Catalan
D) Valencian
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9. What is the legal drinking age in Spain?
A) 16
B) 18
C) 21
D) 17
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10. What do Spaniards often shout at celebrations?
A) Salud
B) Fiesta
C) Viva España
D) ¡Olé!
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11. What’s the name of Spain’s traditional afternoon break?
A) Fiesta
B) Siesta
C) Tapas
D) Merienda
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12. What kind of dish is “paella”?
A) Bread
B) Soup
C) Rice-based dish
D) Pastry
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13. Which region is famous for flamenco dancing?
A) Asturias
B) Andalusia
C) Galicia
D) Basque Country
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14. What do Spaniards traditionally eat at midnight on New Year’s Eve?
A) 12 olives
B) 12 almonds
C) 12 grapes
D) 12 figs
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15. Which famous Spanish festival involves throwing tomatoes?
A) Feria de Abril
B) La Tomatina
C) San Fermín
D) Fiesta del Agua
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16. What is “tapas”?
A) A type of drink
B) A traditional dance
C) Small shared dishes
D) Street parades
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17. Which island is famous for its party scene?
A) Mallorca
B) Tenerife
C) Ibiza
D) Lanzarote
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18. What is Spain’s most popular sport?**
A) Tennis
B) Basketball
C) Football (Soccer)
D) Cycling
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19. What’s the capital of Spain?
A) Barcelona
B) Seville
C) Madrid
D) Valencia
—
20. What’s a “churro”?
A) A dance
B) A fried dough snack
C) A musical instrument
D) A seafood dish
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Answers
1. What time do many Spaniards typically eat dinner?
C) 9:00–10:30 PM ✅
Fun Fact: Late dinners are common in Spain — it’s all about the social vibe!
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2. What is the name of Spain’s high-speed train network?
B) AVE ✅
AVE trains link major cities like Madrid, Seville, and Barcelona in record time.
—
Which famous artist was born in Málaga?
B) Pablo Picasso ✅
You can even visit Picasso’s childhood home in Málaga!
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4. What’s a “mercado”?
A traditional market ✅
Fresh produce, local cheeses, and bustling stalls — mercados are a must-see!
—
5. What is the traditional Spanish drink made with wine and fruit?
A) Sangría ✅
Perfect on a hot day — and a staple at summer parties!
—
6. What does “fiesta” mean in Spain?**
C) A celebration ✅
From city-wide festivals to village saints’ days, Spain knows how to party.
—
7. What pilgrimage route ends in Santiago de Compostela?
C) Camino de Santiago ✅
Thousands walk this spiritual route every year for reflection and adventure.
—
8. Which language is co-official with Spanish in Barcelona?
C) Catalan ✅
Catalonia has its own rich culture — and language!
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9. What is the legal drinking age in Spain?**
B) 18 ✅
It’s legal to drink at 18 — though family lunches often include wine!
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10. What do Spaniards often shout at celebrations?
D) ¡Olé! ✅
You’ll hear “¡Olé!” everywhere from bullfights to flamenco shows.
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11. What’s the name of Spain’s traditional afternoon break?
B) Siesta ✅
Although less common now, the siesta is still a beloved part of Spanish lore.
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12. What kind of dish is “paella”?
C) Rice-based dish ✅
Originally from Valencia, paella is one of Spain’s most iconic meals.
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13. Which region is famous for flamenco dancing?
B) Andalusia ✅
Seville, in Andalusia, is considered the heart of flamenco culture.
—
14. What do Spaniards traditionally eat at midnight on New Year’s Eve?
C) 12 grapes ✅
Each grape represents good luck for the 12 months ahead!
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15. Which famous Spanish festival involves throwing tomatoes?
B) La Tomatina ✅
Held in Buñol, it’s one of the world’s messiest (and most fun) food fights.
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16. What is “tapas”?
C) Small shared dishes ✅
Tapas are more than food — they’re a lifestyle of sharing and socializing.
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17. Which island is famous for its party scene?
C) Ibiza ✅
Ibiza is known for its world-class DJs, sunsets, and unforgettable nights.
—
18. What is Spain’s most popular sport?
C) Football (Soccer) ✅
From Barcelona to Real Madrid — fútbol is a national passion.
—
19. What’s the capital of Spain?
C) Madrid ✅
Madrid is the cultural, political, and geographic heart of the country.
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20. What’s a “churro”?
– B) A fried dough snack ✅
Best enjoyed with hot chocolate in the early hours after a night out!*
Are you ready to move? Age in Spain’s Readiness Reckoner
If you think you are ready right now to pack up and move, we suggest that you answer these questions honestly. Your answers will show the amount of preparation you still have to do. This guide will help you with that preparation.
20 vital questions to work out if you are ready to move to Spain
1. Are your family and loved ones supportive of the idea?
2. Have you spoken to people who have already made the move to Spain?
3. Have you learned basic facts about Spain?
4. Have you travelled to different parts of Spain?
5. Have you drawn up a list of what you are looking for in a place to live in Spain?
6. Have you visited where you wish to live in spring, summer and winter?
7. Have you prepared a budget which demonstrates you have enough money on which to live?
8. Have you learned enough Spanish to enable you to hold a simple conversation and go shopping?
9. Are you still taking lessons to improve your Spanish?
10. Are you aware of the requirements for Spanish residency?
11. Do you know which visa you will apply for?
12. If you are applying for a Work Visa, do you have a job, or a job offer, in Spain?
13. Have you started the visa application process?
14. Have you decided what to do about healthcare?
15. Have you made a Worldwide Will and a Lasting Power of Attorney?
16. Have you made a list of all who need to be informed before you move?
17. Have you identified how you will move your belongings?
18. If you intend to drive in Spain, have you considered the rules?
19. If you are taking pets, have you checked how to move them?
20. Do you have a plan for if the move doesn’t work or you hit unexpected hurdles?
Preparation at home
Start early. It’s worth considering beginning your preparations up to a year before your intended move. While that might feel like a long lead time, relocating to another country involves many steps, and starting early can help things go more smoothly.
Explore your options. Even if you have a specific area in mind, it’s a good idea to spend some time visiting different parts of Spain before making a final decision. Each region offers something unique in terms of lifestyle, climate, and cost of living—taking the time to explore can help you feel confident in your choice.
Think about renting first. Many people find it helpful to rent before buying a home. This gives you the flexibility to get to know the area better, settle into local life, and keep your options open in case your needs or preferences change over time.
To do: Check out official advice from your own government at home. Often this is comprehensive and helpful:
To do: Explore social media such as Facebook where there are many groups of people who have already moved to Spain and who can share their experiences and answer your questions.
To do: Make a list of the features you want the town or village where you might stay to have. For example: a beach, country walks, in or near a city centre, isolated in the countryside etc.
To do: Tick off how many types of areas in Spain you have visited. Make a plan to visit more! Do you already know what you prefer – living by the coast? In a more remote rural area? In a place where there are many other English speakers, or not?
To do: Consider all your desired locations and think about how future proof they are. How suitable will the place you select be as you age and your needs change?
Something to Think About when Planning a Move as a Couple or Family
At Age in Spain, we often hear from people where one partner is excited about relocating, while the other feels unsure or even anxious about the change. If you’re planning to move to Spain with a partner or family member, it can be helpful to take some time together to talk openly about the potential benefits and challenges of living in a country where the language, culture, and daily life may be quite different from what you’re used to.
Taking time to reflect and explore the idea as a team can lead to more confident, shared decisions. Everyone adjusts at their own pace—so there’s no rush. Make space for honest conversations and consider what the move might mean for each of you.
Thinking About Moving With Children?
If you have children – especially those of school age – it’s worth taking time to involve them in conversations about relocating to Spain. Moving abroad can be an exciting opportunity, but it also brings big changes, particularly for younger family members.
You might want to consider where your children are in their education and how a move might impact their academic progress and social life. Will they find it easy to make new friends? How might they adapt to learning a new language?
If you’re visiting Spain to explore potential places to live, it could be helpful to include your children in those trips and, where possible, arrange visits to local schools. Seeing the environment for themselves may help them (and you) better imagine what life could be like—and whether it’s the right fit for your whole family.
Moving to Spain - Kayte's Story
A Family Integrates in Spain
Kayte Locke, her husband and three children moved from England to Catalunya.
In 2019, I stood surrounded by images: smoking dragons, ribbons and skirts swirling, espadrilles pounding the pavement in the June fiestas, abuelas staring down at giants whose heads brush past the balconies they are watching from as the giants whirl by. The images cover the walls of our town hall. They are of the rich cultural life and the people who make it so. Within these images is the story of my family.
My youngest beating a drum, following the dragons with his dad; my eldest playing the Catalan flute at the summer fiesta; my middle child high on the top of a human tower, teeth clenched in concentration as another child scales over the top of her and I look through my camera lens from below, nervously snapping the shot. And there also am I, with the head of the colla (or group) of devils, laughing as I run away from a fire-breathing beast who has come from Mallorca to torch the tails of our canvas suits as we run, sparks flying from our fireworks, through the streets of our town. I am part of that pack of devils at the annual winter festival, stinking of smoke, tears streaming down my laughing face.
Standing in that hall was my moment to pause and reflect that, ten years in, we are getting there, we are beginning to belong. As I thanked the town council for giving me this exhibition to showcase what I love about my city, its people, and the life I see here, it was also my opportunity to thank those around me for helping me to belong. They will never know how important they are to our life here.
Years previously, when I wandered into the local Catalan cultural centre, I had no idea of this life, of where it would lead me and how much I would fall in love with it. I had been living in an expat community, trying to integrate and, to be honest, feeling as ‘though part of my life was missing. In the UK I was part of the fabric of the town, life was no struggle – it was just what I made of it. Here, it was different: I felt apart, a foreigner, weird, different, alien. I was, and still am, no linguist and arrived speaking no Catalan and only limping Spanish. After four years in Spain, I was feeling that I needed a dramatic shift, I needed to fit in, to become part of my town and to improve my limping languages. That’s when I wandered into the Catalan cultural centre one afternoon, drawn in by the huge mural of castellers or human towers, a local regional thing of pride.
It was a fortuitous moment, and we were instantly welcomed in by the cultural centre staff, asked what we wished to join – dances, music, human towers, dragons, giants, a smorgasbord of delight. Spoilt for choice, we joined almost everything in our desire to ‘give it a go’.
I won’t lie, the start was rough, we understood nothing, it was a tight knit group of long-standing local families and hard to break in. We turned up for practices of human towers and often felt isolated, alone – a little stupid to be honest – with our lack of language. But I am determined, and I don’t quit easily, so we stayed. I remember the first day I felt passionate, and mad, about my child being missed out in an opportunity to participate in a fiesta, so I had an argument with the team. I lost, as I didn’t have enough words, but I got my point across. I was a mum, and I was mad, an advocate for my child and passionately keen to keep her involved. That night, I returned home to ten Facebook friends requests from within the group. We were in, they recognised we wanted to be a part… and so it went on.
Years of turning up, years of poor communication, but smiles, shared jokes (often at my expense), and slowly, slowly we got there learning bits more of the languages. We toured Catalunya, Mallorca, Andorra and Valencia. Fiestas and events, participating with a curiosity, learning more and more about the culture and history of this brilliant country. People were passionate in sharing what they knew, what they loved. With my camera and my writing, I was able to capture the beauty of all we saw, the people, their passions and their identity. This I have shared with others, and this was appreciated by those who held it of value. It took years of feeling on the fringe but little by little we got there; one year I won the cooking competition for a local regional dish, the next I managed to stand up and speak in Catalan in the town fiesta in the town square and it got me a cheer and a few back slaps for weeks after as I shopped and went about my life.
Relatives and friends
When planning a move to Spain, it’s natural to reflect on how your decision might affect those closest to you. Sharing your plans with relatives and friends can bring a mix of reactions—some may be excited for your new adventure, while others might feel concerned about seeing less of you.
It can be reassuring to explore ways to stay connected, even from afar. Tools like Zoom, Facetime, and WhatsApp offer easy and meaningful ways to maintain regular contact. You might even consider having a few virtual catch-up “rehearsals” before you go, to show that staying in touch can be just as warm and regular—no matter the distance.
Taking time to include loved ones in your journey can help everyone feel more comfortable and connected, wherever you are in the world.
Dependents
This can be a delicate subject, but it’s worth taking some time to think about how your move to Spain might intersect with the needs of loved ones back home. Are there family members—perhaps ageing parents or others—who currently rely on your support, or who might need more help in the coming years?
You might want to reflect on whether you have the financial and practical flexibility to return, should a situation arise where your presence is needed. These are not always easy questions, but thinking them through now can help you feel more prepared and confident in your plans.
If you already care for a member of your family who is dependent on you, or if there is someone who is likely to need your care and support, you might think that one option would be to bring them to live with you in Spain. We advise you to think very carefully about this and to fully understand the implications of such a move on the support services available in Spain and the impact moving may have on their health and finances, including their entitlement to state benefits.
When planning a move to Spain, it’s important to be aware that access to social care services can vary widely depending on the region—and waiting times for public support can be lengthy. Until you qualify as a permanent resident (which may take up to five years, depending on your residency route), it’s generally expected that individuals and families will make their own arrangements for care and support.
If you or a loved one may require care at home or in a residential setting, you might want to factor in the possibility of needing to arrange and pay for this privately, at least in the short to medium term. Even once eligible for state support, it’s common to be asked to contribute toward the cost or to supplement public services with private care.
Also keep in mind that while there are areas in Spain with strong English-speaking communities, most health and social care providers operate in Spanish. This could influence your choice of location or the kind of support you’ll need to feel comfortable and well-supported.
Thinking through these elements in advance can help ensure that you, or any dependents, have the right support in place—both now and in the future.
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