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Spain expat destinations
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Spain

Mediterranean lifestyle at its finest — vibrant cities, world-class food, excellent healthcare, and a thriving expat scene.

Europe

Traveler Snapshot: Spain

A quick reference for planning your trip: visas, weather, health, and the essentials.

Visa & Entry

For US passport holders

Schengen*: 90 days visa-free within 180 days for US, UK, Canada, Australia. ETIAS expected.

* Schengen Area: a group of 29 European countries that share one border-free travel zone. US passport holders can visit the whole area visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period, and that limit is shared across all Schengen countries (not counted separately per country).

Weather & Climate

Varied: hot dry summers inland 95°F+ (35°C+), mild Mediterranean coast, cooler green north. Winters mild in the south.

Best Time to Visit

April–June and September–October; coastal beaches shine in summer.

Health & Vaccinations

No special vaccines required. Keep routine vaccinations current.

Safety

Very safe. Watch for pickpockets in Barcelona and Madrid tourist zones.

Fast Facts

  • Capital: Madrid
  • Currency: Euro (EUR, €)
  • Languages: Spanish (plus Catalan, Basque, Galician regionally)
  • Time zone: CET (UTC+1), summer UTC+2
  • Power: Type C/F plugs, 230V
  • Emergency: 112

Visa and entry notes here are written for US passport holders on typical short-stay tourism. Requirements vary by nationality, so if you hold a different passport your rules may differ. Guidance can change frequently. Always confirm current requirements with the official embassy, consulate, or a licensed travel-health provider before you travel.

Top Destinations in Spain

6 featured cities to explore

Barcelona, SpainFeatured

Barcelona

Mediterranean gem

1-bed rent from $1100/mo
Mediterranean climate with mild humid winters and warm dry summers.
Safety: Generally Safe
Explore Barcelona
Madrid, SpainFeatured

Madrid

Spain's grand, high-energy capital, with world-class art, endless nightlife, and a central base for exploring the whole country.

1-bed rent from $1300/mo
Madrid has a continental Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and cold, crisp winters. It is one of Europe's sunniest capitals, with low humidity year-round.
Safety: Very Safe
Explore Madrid
Valencia, SpainFeatured

Valencia

Spain's sunny Mediterranean city, blending beaches, futuristic architecture, and a relaxed, affordable lifestyle that consistently tops nomad rankings.

1-bed rent from $850/mo
Valencia enjoys a warm Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, gentle winters. Sunshine is abundant, and rain is limited to a few short spells, mainly in autumn.
Safety: Very Safe
Explore Valencia
Bilbao, Spain

Bilbao

A post-industrial Basque city transformed by architecture, with green hills, world-class food and Atlantic weather.

1-bed rent from $850/mo
Bilbao has a temperate oceanic climate, green and wet, with mild summers around 26C and winters that rarely freeze. Rainfall is high and spread across the year, giving the region its nickname of the Spanish Atlantic coast and its intense greenery. Sunny stretches are shorter than the Mediterranean coast.
Safety: Very Safe
Explore Bilbao
Malaga, Spain

Malaga

The Costa del Sol's capital reinvented as a museum city, with 320 days of sun and a serious tech influx.

1-bed rent from $900/mo
Malaga has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate with the mildest winters in mainland Europe, averaging 17C in January, and summers reaching the mid-30s. Rain is concentrated in a few autumn and winter storms, and the terral wind occasionally pushes summer temperatures well past 40C for a day or two.
Safety: Very Safe
Explore Malaga
Seville, Spain

Seville

Andalusia's capital of flamenco, tapas, and orange trees, where a low cost of living meets an extraordinarily walkable old city.

1-bed rent from $750/mo
Seville has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate and is the hottest major city in continental Europe, with summer highs regularly above 40C and mild, mostly dry winters rarely dropping below 5C.
Safety: Very Safe
Explore Seville