BackMoving House
Moving Abroad
Container Shipping
Services
Find a Mover
Are you moving to Spain? Whether you’re planning a big or small removal from the UK to Spain, you’ve come to the right place. Our guide on moving to Spain from the UK will have you sipping on a glass (or pitcher) of Sangria and enjoying the weather before you know it. So read on for the cost of moving, an essential checklist, and free moving quotes!
Moving to Spain from the UK can cost you between £2,000 and £7,500, depending on how many items you plan to take with you, the distance travelled, and the mode of transport chosen.
The table below indicates the cost of moving from London to Spain by road for various household sizes.
| Household Size | Time | Cost |
| 1 bedroom apartment | 9 – 13 days | £2,000 – £2,700 |
| 2 bedroom house | 3 – 5 days | £2,500 – £3,400 |
| 3 bedroom house | 3 – 5 days | £3,200 – £4,400 |
| 4 bedroom house | 3 – 5 days | £4,300 – £5,800 |
| 5 bedroom house | 3 – 5 days | £5,400 – £7,300 |
Disclaimer: The above figures are just estimates. Final costs will depend on the exact points of departure and arrival, and the service rates of the company.
Here are some tips you can follow to save some money:
For an even more detailed breakdown, you can read our page on international moving costs and become a true expert on the cost of removals to Spain.
Click below to receive up to 5 free quotes from removal companies. That way you can compare and save money on removals to Spain.
We’ve gathered the most reliable international removals from the UK to Spain to simplify your transition.
Emigrating to Spain will require a little bit more planning. However, you can skip this section if you hold EU or EEA citizenship. For those who don’t, you’ll want to keep reading.
You’ll need a visa and a work permit if you intend to work when moving to Spain. When signing your contract, the employer will apply for it, but, unfortunately, you will still need to apply for a visa, which must be done in person at the nearest embassy.
While at the embassy, you make inquiries about obtaining a Foreigners’ Identity Number (N.I.E.), it can be a little complicated to obtain in Spain, so applying at the embassy will make things easier.
✈️ Check out our entire page dedicated to moving to Europe after Brexit.
We made this essential moving to Spain checklist to help make your move easier:
Spain is a unique blend of culture, history, and modernity. We’ll explore the cost of living in Spain and its lifestyle compared to the UK.
In 2023, the price index in Spain is 33% cheaper than the UK. In the table below we gathered the living costs in both Madrid and London:
| Expense | Spain | UK |
| Rent | € 1,000.00 | € 1,300.00 |
| Restaurant | € 16.00 | € 25.00 |
| Groceries | € 200.00 | € 250.00 |
| Transportation | € 50.00 | € 80.00 |
| Utilities | € 120.00 | € 150.00 |
Disclaimer: These prices are not reflective of the country as a whole and smaller cities in each country will be cheaper to live in than these popular expat destinations.
😴 Siesta is one of the most iconic aspects of its culture. This afternoon nap is a time for people to relax and recharge.
🍽️ Spaniards typically eat 5 times per day – breakfast, mid-morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack and finally dinner.
🥘The typical food, tapas, consists of small plates of food that tend to be eaten for dinner. There is a large selection and each region is known for having its different styles.
🎊 Spain is well known for its festivals and holidays. From the running of the bulls to the tomato throwing, the country has some of the most famous festivals in the world.
Renting a place in Spain is relatively a simple process. In the short term renting is a much more attractive option and sometimes even cheaper after factoring in Spain’s capital gains tax of 20%. Buying can be more complicated so it is important to research the property market first.
Buying a home in large cities such as Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia and Sevilla are more expensive than in other places. However, as a whole the property market, in Spain is cheaper than in the UK. You can buy a villa in Malaga for €450p/m – less than it would cost for a studio apartment in Manchester.
When it comes to finding a job in Spain, there is both good and bad news. The bad news is that Spain has the second-highest unemployment rate in Europe. The good news is that over 40% of the country’s new businesses are led by women, indicating a high percentage of female entrepreneurs.
If you have moved to Spain from the UK and are still in search of work, signing up for some of the following job portals is a good place to start:
Education is one of the most important steps in terms of a career in Spain, so there is a lot of value based on achieving good grades.
Check this table to overview how the education system works in Spain:
| Level/Age/Requirement | What to know |
| Nursery (0-3 years) | Monthly fees for both public and private |
| Pre-School (3-6 years) | Not required |
| Primary School (6-12 years) | Two two-year cycles – The first one focused on developing basic skills, followed by preparing students for secondary school. |
| Secondary School (16-18 years) | Three two-year cycles – One general education cycle, followed by two specialized cycles, one of which is optional for university preparation |
| Apprenticeship (+18) | Not required. Vocational or professional training |
| University (+18) | Undergraduate and graduate studies. Fees can be around €2,000 per year. |
💡 There are many English-speaking schools where it is possible to follow the British style of education system (including GCSEs and A-Levels).
Now that you know more about your new living country, you might enjoy our moving abroad checklist. Feel free to continue exploring, read resources and check the FAQs at the end of the page.
Our mission is to be your go-to moving platform for you and your loved ones. With our years of expertise and extensive network of movers, we’re here to make your moving process as stress-free as possible.
Network of 500+ movers
150,000 moves annually
