- Who it’s useful for: people planning a move to Spain from Canada or another country with a higher cost of living who want to estimate their budget.
- General requirements (in broad terms): a legal pathway for long-term stay (residence permit/national visa), proven funds, housing, and health insurance – rules vary by program.
- Steps: budget planning → choosing a city → preparing documents → applying for a visa/residence permit → entry → obtaining a resident card (TIE).
- Timelines: in practice, they vary depending on the type of residence permit, the country of application, and how busy the authorities are.
- Cost of living: according to Numbeo, Spain is cheaper than Canada (Cost of Living Index: 51,69 vs 62,98), but average incomes are lower – this is important to factor in.
- Risks: choosing the wrong route, incomplete documents, not meeting financial requirements, mistakes with translations/apostille, missing appointment deadlines.
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- Cost of living and housing in 2026 (Numbeo)
- Quality of life and safety
- Why Spain
- How to move to Spain
- FAQ
Cost of living and housing in 2026 (Numbeo)
Important: Numbeo aggregates user-submitted data. Actual prices depend on the city, neighborhood, season, and personal habits. For accuracy, we use the Canada vs Spain comparison values and reference the latest update on Numbeo.
Buying and renting housing in Canada and Spain
On average, Numbeo shows that rent in Spain is noticeably cheaper than in Canada. Purchase prices are shown per sq. m (Numbeo uses square feet).
| Spain | Canada | |
| Buy apartment outside of centre (≈ €/m²) | 2 322€ | 3 432€ |
| Buy apartment in city centre (≈ €/m²) | 3 763€ | 4 325€ |
| Rent 3-bedroom apartment in city centre (€/month) | 1 401€ | 1 799€ |
| Rent 3-bedroom apartment outside of centre (€/month) | 1 056€ | 1 559€ |
| Rent 1-bedroom apartment in city centre (€/month) | 882€ | 1 135€ |
| Rent 1-bedroom apartment outside of centre (€/month) | 703€ | 988€ |
Tip: if you are choosing the coast, look not only at average prices, but also at rental seasonality and the rules of the specific region.
Useful:
Cost of living: groceries and basic basket
Below are examples of prices from Numbeo (some items are listed per 1 lb ≈ 0,45 kg – that’s how the Numbeo comparison format works).
| Item | Spain | Canada |
| Milk, 1 l | 1,04€ | 1,92€ |
| Loaf of fresh white bread, 1 lb (≈0,45 kg) | 1,21€ | 2,07€ |
| Rice (white), 1 lb (≈0,45 kg) | 0,64€ | 1,42€ |
| Eggs, 12 pcs | 2,73€ | 3,01€ |
| Chicken fillets, 1 lb (≈0,45 kg) | 3,33€ | 4,69€ |
| Beef, 1 lb (≈0,45 kg) | 6,26€ | 5,93€ |
| Apples, 1 lb (≈0,45 kg) | 0,97€ | 1,61€ |
| Oranges, 1 lb (≈0,45 kg) | 0,82€ | 1,51€ |
| Tomatoes, 1 lb (≈0,45 kg) | 1,01€ | 1,58€ |
| Potato, 1 lb (≈0,45 kg) | 0,72€ | 1,05€ |
| Lettuce, 1 head | 1,15€ | 2,22€ |
| Water, 1,5 l | 0,67€ | 1,52€ |
| Mid-range wine | 5,00€ | 11,18€ |
| Domestic beer, bottle | 1,12€ | 2,49€ |
| Imported beer, bottle | 1,86€ | 2,80€ |
Restaurant prices
| Item | Spain | Canada |
| Meal at an inexpensive restaurant | 14,50€ | 15,52€ |
| Meal for two (3 courses, excluding drinks) | 50,00€ | 62,10€ |
| Fast food combo | 10,00€ | 9,31€ |
| Cappuccino | 2,06€ | 3,25€ |
| Domestic draft beer, 1 pint | 3,00€ | 4,97€ |
| Soda (Coca-Cola/Pepsi, 0,33) | 2,19€ | 1,80€ |
| Bottled water (≈0,33) | 1,61€ | 1,46€ |
Clothing and shoes
| Item | Spain | Canada |
| Jeans (Levi’s 501 or similar) | 76,58€ | 47,22€ |
| Dress in a chain store (Zara/H&M etc.) | 32,49€ | 35,07€ |
| Nike running shoes (mid-range) | 79,62€ | 75,15€ |
| Men’s leather business shoes | 92,41€ | 90,41€ |
Transport and utilities
| Item | Spain | Canada |
| Public transport ticket (one-way) | 1,50€ | 2,17€ |
| Monthly pass | 30,00€ | 64,89€ |
| Taxi: 1 hour waiting | 23,00€ | 23,60€ |
| Gasoline, 1 l | 1,52€ | 0,95€ |
| Utilities (apartment ≈85 m²) | 132,84€ | 130,98€ |
| Mobile plan (monthly, calls + 10GB+) | 16,26€ | 37,64€ |
| Internet (60 Mbps+) | 28,82€ | 52,79€ |
Sports and leisure
| Item | Spain | Canada |
| Fitness club, 1 month | 40,52€ | 36,27€ |
| Tennis court rent, 1 hour (weekend) | 13,48€ | 17,01€ |
| Cinema, 1 ticket | 8,00€ | 9,73€ |
Read also:
Quality of life and safety
Based on Numbeo indexes, in 2026 Spain shows a lower cost of living and higher climate and safety indicators, while purchasing power is higher in Canada.
Numbeo indexes: Canada vs Spain
| Spain | Canada | |
| Quality of Life Index | 185,58 | 172,05 |
| Cost of Living Index | 51,69 | 62,98 |
| Safety Index | 62,40 | 54,44 |
| Climate Index | 92,79 | 54,89 |
| Health Care Index | 77,13 | 68,64 |
| Crime Index | 37,59 | 45,61 |
What matters when planning
- The city matters: Barcelona, Madrid and tourist areas are usually more expensive than the national averages.
- Income and taxes: it’s more accurate to compare budgets based on your income type (employment, business, remote work, passive income).
- Housing is the main expense: rent has the biggest impact on the monthly budget.
Why Spain
Climate and pace of life
Spain is often chosen for its mild climate, developed urban infrastructure, and the opportunity to live closer to the sea. For many, this means more walks, sports, and time outdoors.
Infrastructure and healthcare
According to Numbeo’s healthcare index, Spain and Canada are both in a high range, but Spain scores higher in this country comparison. When planning your move, check health insurance requirements in advance for your visa/residence permit type.
You can start support with everyday matters (insurance, documents, adaptation) in the services section: immigration and residence permits.
Education
Spain offers public and private schools, including international programs in large cities and coastal areas. If you are moving with children, the area, logistics and language of instruction are key.
See support options: education services and an overview of private schools in Spain.
How to move to Spain
Who relocation is suitable for
- Those who want to reduce everyday expenses (while maintaining quality of life) and are ready to adjust their budget to Spain’s income levels.
- Families for whom climate, infrastructure and a calmer pace of life are important.
- Those planning to study in Spain or build a long-term residency strategy.
Main pathways (in broad terms)
For long-term residence, citizens of non-EU countries need a national visa and/or a residence permit. The specific route depends on your purpose: moving with a digital nomad visa, financial independence, studies, work, business, family reunification, and other grounds. Requirements and documents differ – use official sources and verify the latest rules for your country of application.
Your next step with Alegria
If you want to estimate a budget for a specific city and understand which documents and steps you’ll need personally, start with a consultation and a basic plan. Then you can move on to selecting housing and solving everyday tasks.
Relocation and residence permit consultation
Property search
Disclaimer: This information is not legal or tax advice. It is not a public offer.
FAQ
Is Spain in 2026 really cheaper than Canada for everyday expenses?
According to Numbeo’s cost of living index, Spain is lower than Canada (51,69 vs 62,98). But the final budget depends on the city, rent, and your income format.
What is the biggest expense item when relocating?
Usually housing: rent and related payments. The choice of city and neighborhood has the strongest effect on the monthly budget.
Can you rely on Numbeo when planning a budget?
Yes, as a benchmark: Numbeo is useful for comparing countries and understanding the order of numbers. For a precise budget, it’s better to calculate for a specific city and scenario (single, couple, family, having a car, etc.).
Where to start if you haven’t chosen a city yet?
Start with budget and criteria: climate, healthcare, schools, transport, proximity to the sea, rental seasonality. Then create a shortlist of cities and check housing availability.
Where can I browse property options and get help with relocation?
Check the property catalogue and start with a consultation in immigration services.
