Cost of Living in Spain

Although the cost of living in Spain has risen enormously in the last 15 years and local salaries have not kept pace. However, especially if your income is derived from outside the country, it is still cheaper to have an enjoyable life here than in many English speaking countries. Some typical costs you may encounter are included on this page.

Cost of living in Spain: utilities and internet

Here are some common costs for 2024:

Internet (fibre-optic): €30-€40 per month including taxes. For a mobile phone plan with 20GB of data on the same contract, add around €10 per month.

Internet: (Starlink) starts at €29 per month (there are additional equipment fees which can cost around €450, or you can rent them)

Electricity: This is notoriously difficult to gauge as there are fixed and variable costs, and there are always short term offers by different providers. Also, if you live at high altitude, you may pay more for heating in winter, but less for air-con in summer. Here’s a real life example though from one of our writers: For a 4 bedroomed townhouse of around 180m2, using electricity only for lighting, gadgets and air conditioning, you can expect to pay up to €180 in summer if you have the a/c on 24/7, and a lot less (around €50) in winter. If you use electricity to heat water, expect to pay more. However, if you go away for a month and don’t use anything at all, you’ll still have a monthly bill of around €30 because of the various fixed costs.

Natural Gas: Again this is quite difficult to gauge. Here is a real life example for a 4 bedroomed townhouse of around 180m2, using gas for cooking, hot water and central heating. In winter, with central heating on most of the day, around €75 per month. In all other months, around €40 per month.

Water: This varies considerably depending on your provider and the region of Spain. For a family of 5, you might expect to pay €20-€30 per month. Obviously, if you are filling a pool or having multiple showers per day, expect to pay more!

Cost of living in Spain: housing

For the cost of purchasing property (above and beyond the sale price) see our dedicated section on buying property in Spain

For the cost of renting in Spain, plus types of rental contracts and laws, see our dedicated section on renting in Spain

Cost of living in Spain: healthcare

If you are employed in Spain then you and your dependants will be covered by the national health system via your social security payments. You will not need to pay for healthcare unless you want it. Any prescriptions you may need will be subsidised or without charge.

If you are a child or a pregnant woman you are covered by the national health system regardless of your paperwork

If you are an adult and won’t be employed in Spain, read on:

Citizens of non-EFTA countries: If you are planning to live in Spain for more than 90 days, you will need a resident visa. In this case, in order to get your visa, you will normally need to demonstrate that you have healthcare that meets certain requirements. Fortunately there are various providers who offer insurance specifically for this purpose. The costs usually start from €60 per month per person. Be aware that pre-existing conditions will usually not be covered.

Once you have your visa, there is also usually the option to pay for public healthcare via a convenio especial

If you are from an EFTA country and you’re planning to stay in Spain for more than 90 days, you will either need to demonstrate that you are covered by your country’s health system (ie so you will receive healthcare in Spain and this will then be invoiced to your home country) or you need to take out private health insurance.

Costs of private health insurance in Spain

Your costs may range from €50-€200 per month depending on your situation.

Cost of living in Spain: groceries

Some typical costs for groceries in 2024 include the following:

(Note that 1KG = 2.2 pounds)

Cost of living in Spain: restaurants and bars

The most economical way to eat in Spain is to have a lunchtime set menu, known as a menu del día. Although prices for these have risen considerably in the last decade, it is still possible to get a 3 course meal with wine and coffee for €13-€15 per person, depending on the location (though many are now veering towards €20 or making drinks or coffee extra). A la carte menus will vary considerably, but the same meal as the lunchtime menu is likely to cost around double in the evening.

Here are some approximate prices for drinks in normal, local bars in 2024:

Glass of beer (1/2 litre) €4.50

Glass of house wine €3.50

Spirit with mixer €8

Coke €3.50