Best places to live in Spain for expats: complete 2026 Guide

Choosing where to move in a country with as much to offer and as much diversity as Spain can be overwhelming. Seeking the pulse of cosmopolitan metropolises like Madrid or Barcelona is not the same as looking for the calm of a Mediterranean village or the serenity of the green landscapes of the north.

At Fotocasa, we analyze the 2026 real estate market, the regions with the most employment, and key services for digital nomads.

Spain offers a haven for every lifestyle, but the key lies in the data: where should you start looking based on your budget and real needs?

How to choose your ideal destination to move to Spain?

Choosing the perfect destination will depend on your lifestyle and your financial needs, especially if you want to buy a house in Spain or look for a job. To get the location right, it is essential to define which pillar of your new life is non-negotiable:

• If you are looking for urban hubs and employment: Madrid and Barcelona are the country’s economic engines. They are the ideal cities if you are looking for high employment rates (Madrid leads with 57.5%), an endless cultural agenda, and top-tier international connectivity. In recent years, Málaga has also established itself as a technological hub thanks to the investment of several multinationals such as Google or Bestseller.

• If you are looking for affordable housing: If your priority is to maximize your budget, regions such as Extremadura (€1,338/m²) or Castilla-La Mancha (€1,398/m²) offer the most competitive purchase prices of 2026, allowing for a much lower cost of living.

• If you are looking for quality of life and the beach: Valencia and Málaga offer the perfect balance. You will have access to big-city services and excellent air connections, but with the added value of being close to the sea and a more relaxed pace of life. In 2025, Valencia was voted the best city in the world to live in, according to a survey conducted by InterNations.

• If you are looking for peace and nature: Northern Spain (Asturias, Cantabria, or Galicia) is your destination. It is ideal for those fleeing extreme heat who prefer green landscapes, tranquility, and renowned gastronomy, with mid-range housing prices.

• If you are looking for the beach and an international community: Areas like Costa Blanca (Alicante), Málaga, and Santa Cruz de Tenerife are the spots with the highest percentage of residents purchasing homes as foreigners (exceeding 40% of buyers in Alicante), which facilitates integration and access to services in several languages.

What is the climate like in Spain? Hint: it’s not all sun and beach

Contrary to what many believe, not all areas of Spain are warm or sunny throughout the year. There is enormous diversity: while the south and the islands enjoy constantly mild or high temperatures, the north is humid and cool, and the interior suffers from extreme thermal oscillations with very cold winters.

The Atlantic climate: the green and cool refuge of the north

It extends across the north and northwest, from the Pyrenees to Galicia. This is the area where rain takes center stage (exceeding 1,000 mm annually), keeping its landscapes intensely green. Winters usually record temperatures between 12 °C and 15 °C and summers feature milder temperatures from 20 °C to 25 °C. In some areas, coastal humidity can significantly raise the thermal sensation in summer, as is the case in Vigo.

The Mediterranean climate: the warm heart of Spain

It is the most widespread climate and is divided according to the distance from the sea. In the typical Mediterranean zone (Coast and Balearic Islands), winters are short and mild, and summers are long and hot. This is the classic image of Spain.

The Continentalized Mediterranean zone (Center and Interior) features long, cold winters (dropping below 0 °C), and very hot summers, frequently exceeding 35 °C or 40 °C. This is the climate of cities like Madrid.

The subtropical climate: the eternal Canarian spring

This climate is exclusive to the Canary Islands. Thanks to their proximity to Africa, they maintain warm and constant temperatures throughout the year, usually ranging between 22 °C and 28 °C. It is, undoubtedly, the preferred destination for those seeking to escape winter entirely.

The mountain climate: snow and peaks

It occurs in the major mountain systems such as the Pyrenees or Sierra Nevada. Here, winters are very cold and summers are cool, with frequent precipitation in the form of snow.

How much does it cost to buy a house in Spain in 2026?

The average price for buying a property in Spain is 3,089 euros/m², which puts the value of a standard 80 m² home at 247,082 euros in April 2026. The real estate market has shown an upward trend across the territory, with year-on-year increases in all 17 autonomous communities and rises exceeding 10% in most of them.

Housing cost is a decisive factor when choosing a destination, as there is a gap of more than 4,000 euros per square meter between the most expensive and most affordable areas.

How much does it cost to buy a house in Spain? [2026]

What are the most expensive areas to buy a house in Spain? Madrid and the Balearics at record highs

Madrid, the Balearic Islands, the Basque Country, and the Canary Islands are the most expensive regions to buy a house in Spain, according to Fotocasa data for April 2026. If you are looking to settle in the main economic or tourist hubs, you should consider that prices reach their highest levels in the center and the archipelagos:

• Madrid: It is the most expensive region with a price of 5,429 €/m² (€434,330 for an 80 m² flat), according to Fotocasa data for April 2026.

• Balearic Islands: Follows closely with 5,352 €/m² (€428,171 for 80 m²).

• Basque Country and Canary Islands: Both also exceed the national average, with prices of 3,862 €/m² (€308,939 for 80 m²) and 3,441 €/m² (€275,257 for 80 m²) respectively.

What are the cheapest areas to buy a house in Spain? Interior and Extremadura

Extremadura, Castilla-La Mancha, and Castilla y León are the cheapest regions in Spain to buy a house, according to Fotocasa data for April 2026. For those prioritizing savings or looking for a more spacious home for the same budget, the peninsular interior offers the most competitive options:

• Extremadura: It is the most economical community at 1,338 €/m², where an 80 m² home costs an average of 107,032 €.

• Castilla-La Mancha: Features a price of 1,398 €/m² (€111,826 for 80 m²).

• Castilla y León: Stands at 1,765 €/m² (€141,214 for 80 m²).

Cheapest and most expensive regions to buy a house in 2026

Source: Fotocasa, April 2026 data

Is Spain a good destination for digital nomads and remote work?

Spain is currently one of the best destinations for remote work because it boasts one of the most extensive fiber optic networks in Europe. However, the quality of the connection varies by location: while major capitals and urban areas have high speeds (up to 1 Gbps) in nearly all homes, in rural areas or more isolated villages there are still “white zones” where coverage is limited, potentially relying on basic or satellite connections.

What are the best regions to find work in Spain?

The best regions to find employment in Spain are the Balearic Islands (58%), the Community of Madrid (57.5%), and Catalonia (56.1%), which lead the employment rates in the country. The average employment rate in Spain stands at 52.1%, according to INE data for 2024, making these three communities the most dynamic labor engines for those seeking to integrate into the local market.

Conversely, communities like Andalusia (47.5%), Extremadura (46.3%) or Asturias (46.2%) present the lowest employment figures, falling below the national average.

Regions of Spain with the highest employment rates

Source: National Institute of Statistics (INE), 2024.

In which areas do the most foreigners live in Spain?

Map of homes purchased by foreigners in Spain – Fotocasa
According to the latest data from the INE as of January 2025, the Balearic Islands (21.28%), the Valencian Community (19.31%) and Catalonia (18.70%) are the regions with the highest percentage of international residents relative to their total population. These are closely followed by the Community of Madrid (16.71%) and the Region of Murcia (15.82%), consolidating the Mediterranean arc and the capital as the main poles of attraction for the foreign population.

If we focus on property acquisition, international interest is even more evident. According to statistics from the Land Registry College for the fourth quarter of 2025, the province of Alicante leads the national ranking with 42.91% of home purchases made by foreigners, followed by Málaga (31.11%) and Santa Cruz de Tenerife (26.44%). These figures demonstrate that the international buyer profile seeks, above all, coastal areas with high connectivity and services.

“Spain remains one of the preferred destinations for international investors thanks to the combination of security, infrastructure, and climate,” industry experts note.

From Cádiz to Guipúzcoa: where do foreigners buy property in Spain?

What languages are spoken in Spain?

Although Castilian (Spanish) is the official language and is spoken throughout the territory, there are regions with co-official languages that you should consider if you decide to move to them. In Catalonia (Catalan), the Valencian Community (Valencian), the Basque Country (Euskera), or Galicia (Galician), the use of the local language is very common and is part of everyday identity.

While it is not essential to master them from day one for social life, you should know that knowledge of the co-official language may be required for specific administrative procedures, to access certain public sector jobs, or if you want your children to integrate into the regional education system, where these languages are used as the medium of instruction.

Which are the best-connected areas in Spain?

In general, the country is excellently connected, especially in its urban and coastal hubs, although transport density decreases as we move into more rural areas or the so-called “Empty Spain.”

Less connected areas: It is important to bear in mind that in interior provinces such as Teruel, Soria, or deep areas of Extremadura and Castilla y León, public transport is less frequent and having your own vehicle becomes almost essential for daily life.

Which Spanish cities have the best air connections?

If you travel abroad frequently, Madrid and Barcelona are your key points. According to AENA data from March 2026, Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas airport leads the traffic with over 5.7 million passengers, followed by Barcelona-El Prat with 4.5 million. For those seeking the south or the islands, the airports of Málaga-Costa del Sol (2 million), Alicante (1.6 million), and Palma de Mallorca (1.5 million) offer direct connections with major European capitals year-round.

What is the railway network like in Spain?

Spain has the most extensive high-speed rail network (AVE) in Europe, connecting Madrid with cities like Seville, Barcelona, Valencia, or Málaga in just a few hours. Additionally, it possesses the longest network of highways and dual carriageways in the European Union, facilitating road transport to any point on the peninsula.

Which cities have the most important ports in Spain?

Spain has 46 publicly owned ports, according to Ministry of Public Works data, strategically distributed across its 30 maritime provinces. If your move involves transferring large belongings from abroad or if you plan to live on the islands, these are the cities with the highest maritime connectivity:

• Barcelona and Valencia: These are the two great engines of the Mediterranean. Barcelona’s Port is, in fact, the largest port in Spain for cruise traffic and the fourth globally.

• Algeciras (Cádiz): It is the leading port for freight traffic in Spain and a vital connection point with the African continent.

• Palma de Mallorca, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: These are the key points for the archipelagos. Palma de Mallorca recorded the highest passenger transit in the country in 2007 (5.9 million), closely followed by Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

• Bilbao and Santander: They dominate the Cantabrian coast, serving as fundamental ports for connection with Northern Europe and the United Kingdom.

Overall, the Spanish port network is one of the most powerful in the European Union. The Balearic and Canary Islands, as well as the cities of Ceuta and Melilla, rely on a constant ferry network that connects them with the mainland. Furthermore, if you establish your residency in these island territories, you will be entitled to official subsidies on the price of maritime transport as regulated by current legislation.

What is it like to live in Barcelona as a foreigner?

Living in the Catalan capital means choosing a cosmopolitan city that combines beach, mountains, and architecture that is unique in the world. It is the main startup hub in Southern Europe, attracting thousands of tech professionals every year. As for the real estate market, the average housing price in Barcelona province stands at €3,690/m² (April 2026, according to Fotocasa data), which amounts to approximately €295,221 for a standard 80 m² flat.

• Pros of living in Barcelona:

  • Lifestyle: You have the beach and mountains less than 30 minutes away.

  • Connectivity: Its airport and port are international benchmarks.

  • Climate: Very mild winters and warm summers typical of the Mediterranean.

• Cons of living in Barcelona:

  • Cost of living: It is one of the most expensive cities in Spain for services and leisure.

  • Crowding: Tourism is very intense in the city center throughout the year.

  • Language: Catalan is a co-official language and the medium of instruction in many areas.

What is it like to live in Madrid for foreigners?

Madrid is the economic and geographical heart of Spain. It is a city that never sleeps, known for its hospitality (it is said that “in Madrid, no one is a stranger”) and its inexhaustible range of leisure activities and museums. However, this dynamism is reflected in its prices: Madrid is the most expensive province in Spain, with an average price of €5,429/m² in April 2026, bringing the cost of an 80 m² flat to €434,330.

• Pros of living in Madrid:

  • Labor market: It is the region with the highest employment rate (57.5%) and headquarters of major companies.

  • Transport: Total connection with the rest of Spain via high-speed train (AVE) and a leading airport in Europe.

  • Services: Access to the best hospitals, international schools, and cultural events.

• Cons of living in Madrid:

  • Extreme climate: Very cold winters and extremely hot summers (frequently exceeding 40 °C).

  • No sea: The lack of a coastline is the main downside for many foreigners.

  • Fast-paced rhythm: Traffic and stress are common in daily life in the center.

What is it like to live in Valencia as a foreigner?

Valencia has established itself as one of the cities with the best quality of life in the world, attracting a large community of foreigners seeking a balance between urban services and a relaxed environment. It is a “pedestrian-friendly” city, with the Turia Garden running through the center and a growing cultural offering. The average housing price in the province of Valencia is €2,531/m² (April 2026), which is equivalent to approximately €202,448 for an 80 m² flat.

• Pros of living in Valencia:

  • Cost-quality balance: It offers the infrastructure of a major capital but with more competitive housing and leisure prices than Madrid or Barcelona.

  • Climate and Beach: More than 300 days of sunshine per year and wide urban beaches.

  • Mobility: It is a mostly flat city, ideal for cycling and efficient public transport.

• Cons of living in Valencia:

  • Labor market: Although growing, its employment rate (51.5%) is lower than that of Madrid or the Balearics, which can make it harder to find certain technical profiles if not working remotely.

  • Humidity: In summer, the Mediterranean humidity can significantly increase the thermal sensation.

What is it like to live in Málaga as a foreigner?

Málaga is the star of the south and has transformed into the “Silicon Valley” of Spain, attracting tech giants and thousands of digital nomads. Living here means enjoying a vibrant city with enviable gastronomy and a unique light. Due to this high demand, prices have risen significantly: the province of Málaga stands at €4,619/m² (April 2026), which represents an average investment of €369,517 for an 80 m² property.

• Pros of living in Málaga:

  • Tech Hub: Great opportunities for IT profiles and international entrepreneurs.

  • Air connectivity: Its airport is the main one in Andalusia and offers direct connections with almost all of Europe and the USA.

  • Surroundings: Proximity to the Costa del Sol and white villages of great tourist attraction.

• Cons of living in Málaga:

  • Gentrification: Rapid growth has caused prices in the historic center and coastal areas to rise above the national average.

  • Mass tourism: During the summer months and Easter, the city and its services can become overcrowded.

  • Local salaries: There is a gap between housing prices and local average salaries if not working in the tech or foreign sectors.

If you are thinking of moving to Spain and budget is not a barrier, Madrid, Barcelona, and the Balearic Islands offer the best services and connectivity. However, for those seeking a more balanced investment, the Valencian Community and Murcia show solid growth with an enviable quality of life.

With the rise of remote work and the constant improvement of railway networks, it is no longer mandatory to live where you work, which opens up the range to more affordable regions.

If you are thinking of moving to Spain, you might be interested in this article: Living in Spain and working for a foreign company: what requirements and laws should you keep in mind in 2026?