Spain is an easy country to live in once you are set up: it is safe, sociable, sunny and well connected. Getting set up takes patience, because housing is competitive and bureaucracy runs on appointments. This page covers the practical details.
Renting a Place#
- Where to look. Idealista and Fotocasa are the main portals; Spotahome, HousingAnywhere, Uniplaces and Flatio specialise in furnished mid-term rentals; city Facebook groups are busy.
- Temporary rentals (alquiler de temporada) of one to eleven months suit nomads but cost more than long leases. Rules on them tightened in 2025, and some cities limit them.
- Long leases usually need proof of income, a deposit of one or two months, and sometimes a guarantee or extra months in advance.
- Scams are common in Barcelona and Madrid: never pay before viewing, and be wary of landlords who are “abroad”.
- Summer. Air-conditioning matters in July and August; check for it.
Bureaucracy: Cita Previa#
Almost every official process, from residence cards to the padrón, needs an online appointment (cita previa). Slots can be hard to find, especially for police appointments for the TIE card. Check early in the morning, try nearby towns, or use a gestor (administrative agent).
Phones and Internet#
- SIM cards: Digi, Lowi, Simyo, Movistar, Orange and Vodafone sell prepaid SIMs; Digi is the budget favourite. EU roaming rules apply.
- Home internet: fibre of 600 Mbps to 1 Gbps for €25 to €40 a month, though contracts often run 12 months.
- Apps worth having: Cabify, Uber and Bolt (rides), Renfe (trains), Glovo (delivery), Bizum, and WhatsApp, which everyone uses.
Getting Around#
Spanish cities have excellent metros, trams, buses and bike-share schemes, and monthly passes are heavily subsidised. High-speed trains link Madrid with Barcelona, Valencia, Seville and Málaga in two to three hours. Low-cost flights reach the islands. On the islands and in rural areas, a car helps.
Healthcare#
Spain’s healthcare is among the best in the world. Private insurance from Sanitas, Adeslas, DKV and others is affordable and widely used by foreigners; residents who contribute to social security can use the public system. For emergencies, call 112. Pharmacies (with a green cross) are excellent. See health insurance.
Community and Meeting People#
Spain makes socialising easy. Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Málaga and Las Palmas have busy nomad and expat communities, with coworking events, language exchanges (intercambios), sports clubs and meetups every night. Learning Spanish transforms your experience, and in Catalonia, Valencia and the Basque Country, a few words of the local language are appreciated.
Customs and Etiquette#
- Late hours: lunch from 2pm, dinner from 9pm, and nights out that start after midnight.
- Siesta is less common in cities, but many small shops close from about 2pm to 5pm.
- Greetings: two kisses on the cheek among friends, a handshake in business.
- August: many locals go on holiday, and some businesses close for weeks.
Safety#
Spain is very safe. Pickpocketing is the main problem, especially in Barcelona (Las Ramblas, the metro and beaches) and central Madrid. Keep your phone off café tables, and be wary of distraction tricks.
Emergency number: 112.
Everyday Life FAQs#
How do I find a flat in Spain as a digital nomad?
Furnished mid-term rental sites such as Spotahome, HousingAnywhere and Uniplaces are easiest. For longer leases, use Idealista or Fotocasa, with proof of income and a deposit.
What is cita previa in Spain?
An online appointment needed for most government procedures, from the padrón to residence cards. Slots can be hard to get, so book early.
Is Spain safe for digital nomads?
Yes. Spain is one of the safest countries in Europe. Pickpocketing in Barcelona and Madrid is the main risk.
Do I need to speak Spanish?
Not in Barcelona or for basic life in big cities, but Spanish helps a lot with bureaucracy, landlords and making local friends, especially outside the big cities.