Living standards in Spain: how emigrants live abroad

The outflow of foreigners abroad, especially to European countries, has become much more pronounced in recent years. One of the most popular countries is Spain. It is a prosperous country with vast prospects and a comfortable climate. De facto membership in the European Union has become an additional incentive for foreigners from all over the world. According to migration services, in just a few years, Spain has surpassed the United States and France in the number of migrants by 4 times.

We will tell you more about the nuances of migration to Spain below.

Content:

• Who can get a Spanish citizenship?
• Visas for Spain
• Immigration through Spanish real estate purchase
• How to adapt to the Spanish environment?
• Employment
• Average salary in Spain for 2021
• Living standards: prices in Spain
• Foreign residents in Spain
• We will help you buy property in Spain

Who can get spanish citizenship?

You can obtain the status of a Spanish kingdom citizen on the following grounds:

• Receiving a higher education in one of the higher educational institutions in Spain.
• Buying and owning real estate in the country.
• Establishing a registered business in Spain.
• Marriage to a Spanish citizen.
• Official employment in a Spanish organization.
• Reuniting with relatives.
• Refugee status.

In some cases, individuals may have more than one reason to move at the same time. Choosing a specific reason to move depends entirely on the emigrant.

Visas for Spain

There are several types of Spanish visas, depending on the purpose and expected duration of the trip:

• Schengen visa (C-class) - valid in all Schengen countries. It is issued on an invitation basis or a tourist trip.
• A tourist visa is the most demanded type of visa. It is valid from 6 months to 2 years;
• Visitor visa/business visa - everyone who has an invitation to the country from business partners, relatives and friends can receive this type of visa. The type of visa issued is determined by the details specified in the invitation letter.
• Multivisa for property owners - real estate in Spain provides the right to receive a residence permit document from 1 to 2 years.
• A long-term D-class visa allows a stay in the country for up to 90 days in each half of the year. It is issued on the basis of a long stay in the country due to work, study, or business.
• Study visa - a student visa is issued to citizens who plan to study at a higher education institution in Spain.
• Working visa - allows you to legally stay in the country for a long time, work and receive income. It is valid with an invitation.
• "Golden Visa" - a visa for real estate investment or investors who have contributed to Spanish real estate for € 500,000 to € 1,000,000 can obtain this type of visa.
• An urgent visa is issued on an expedited basis in case of an emergency.

Immigration through Spanish real estate purchase

Buying property in Spain is a great way to move to your desired country. A weighty argument in favor of this method is not only that you obtain a residence permit but is also an opportunity to gain a stable income. From the point of view of return on investment in real estate in Spain, it is justified to invest in an asset with high liquidity.

There are 2 investment options:

Inexpensive real estate up to € 500,000. You can buy an apartment in Spain, get a multi visa and live in the country for 180 days a year (maximum 90 days in half a year). To do this, you must confirm your financial solvency and demonstrate an income. That is, your account must have at least € 30,000 for each family member.

Real estate from € 500,000 to € 1,000,000. A residence permit is issued when purchasing real estate for € 500,000. You can renew the residence permit every year which will then be issued for 2 years with a second extension. After 5 years, a citizen can expect to receive permanent residence.

How to adapt to the spanish environment?

The issue of foreign country assimilation is, of course, an individual process, the speed of which varies from person to person. To speed up your immersion in a different environment and begin living a fulfilling life, try the following tips:

• Start preparing early. Learn the language on your own or with a tutor - this will help you find a job faster and allow you to quickly resolve all issues.
• Make acquaintances. At first, try to connect with communities from your country and then proceed with the local population. Let it be consultants in a store, classmates or staff in a café - you will gradually learn to communicate with others and create a safer environment for yourself.
• Solve problems yourself. Make an appointment at the hospital, go to the bank, etc. Over time, you will realize that this is not as scary as it seems.
• Travel around the city and its surroundings. Hiking will help you better remember the area and teach you to better navigate it.
• Analyze prices in stores, look for profitable options - this will help you develop frugality.
• Get a Spanish driving license.
• Follow the latest news in the country and your region.
• Benefit from social goods - additional funding and other bonuses never go to waste.

Employment

You can find a good job in Spain while you are still in Russia. In this case, the process of applying for a visa and obtaining a residence permit will not be a problem, and the assimilation process will go smoother. Alternatively, you can look for a job in your specialty on specialized job search sites in Spain.

Below is a list of the most in-demand jobs in Spain and their related salaries:

To find a job in Spain, try the following methods as well:

• Explore online message boards - some of them publish ads for hiring workers, seasonal workers, and even qualified professionals.
• Contact the employer directly - competent specialists with a diploma have every chance of getting a high-paying position.
• With the help of intermediaries in Russia who specialize in these searches, workers and their employers.

Among other things, you should not neglect “viral radio”. If you have a friend or acquaintance who lives in Spain, you can ask them for help to find a job.

Average salary in Spain in 2021

According to data for 2021, the average salary in Spain is estimated at € 1800 - € 2000 per month (about 130-145,000 rubles). Moreover, the number of payments per year can vary from 12 to 14 times at the discretion of the employee. The method and timeliness of payments allow families to correctly calculate mortgage payments and save for the future.

The minimum wage is € 1050 (75,000 rubles).

Living standards: prices in Spain

There is a wide variety of food in Spain. On average, maintaining a fully-fledged diet based on a family of 3 people will cost about € 350 - € 400 per month.

Here is the cost of a number of essential products:

• Bread - 90 cents per loaf;
• Milk - 65 cent / 1l;
• Meat - from € 5 / 1kg;
• Egg - 10 pcs / from € 2;
• Cereals - from 50 cents /1 kg;
• Vegetables / fruits - from € 1 / 1kg.

Dinner at a restaurant for 2 will cost about € 35- € 40.

Alcohol and tobacco products in Spain are expensive. A bottle of wine costs € 6 and spirits about € 10 and up.

Internet connection in Spain is not cheap. A speed of 60Muits/sec per month will cost about € 45.

The leisure and entertainment sphere will cost from € 50 to € 350 per month depending on your interests and financial capabilities. For example, a ticket to the cinema costs around € 7 and a game of mini golf is € 10 per lesson.

Foreign residents in Spain

Many of those who have successfully moved to Spain note some difficulties in adapting to the language. Many nuances also slowed down the assimilation process to some extent. For example, according to migrant reviews, the most difficult experience was for those who moved to a country with a small budget. To avoid this, we advise you to create a solid financial cushion in advance that will provide for you and your family for at least several months or until you find a permanent job.

However, the respondents expressed overall positive impressions of their stay in the new country. Some advantages are the decent wages which are higher than the average in Russia.

A minimum wage in Spain without a special education is about € 1050 (75,000 rubles) - this amount can be quite comfortable for daily life and even paying a mortgage.

We will help you buy property in Spain

Interested in buying real estate and obtaining a residence permit in Spain? Check out the offers from Spain-Real.Estate. You will find many property options on the website’s catalog, from studios to detached houses and villas sold directly from trusted owners and reputable developers in Spain. Detailed advice on renting, buying and selling real estate in your area of interest can be obtained from our company’s leading specialists. If necessary, they will organize an individual selection of real estate, taking into account the preferences and needs of the client, and providing full transaction support.