Where is it better to live? Many Brits are still tormented by this question despite such new obstacles as Brexit and the coronavirus epidemic. They currently continue to move to Spain discovering the benefits of this sunny country.
Is it the right time for immigration to Spain and what difficulties might expect in the light of current developments in the world? And the final question – is it worth to exchange the UK for Spain at all?Let’s clear that up together!
Spain exceeds the UK in many respects
Of course, this is not about the state of the economy of both countries: before making a decision to move, it is important to consider how the quality of life in a new place could change, and to take into account each criterion separately. So, according to the majority of new arrivals, Spain ranks ahead of the UK in the following aspects:
- Quality of life (work/private life balance).
- Quality of medical care (free services or affordable health insurance).
- Safety and comfort (low crime rate, gated residential complexes).
- Active social life (friendly local people and the British community).
- The mild Mediterranean climate (on coastal areas).
- The best European beaches (many of them are awarded by the Blue Flag).
- The healthy lifestyle (the Mediterranean diet, siesta, sport).
- Spain is equally suitable for any social standing (children, students, specialists, retirees).
- Great opportunities to buy a «dream house» (more spacious, better located, cheaper utilities’ costs).
- Entertainment to a wide range of interests (small-town life, night-life, golf courses).
- Spanish is easy to learn for the Brits (and, along with English, one of the most common languages of the world).
- Brexit is an important reason to move to Spain in 2020 (old regulations apply until the end of this year).
- Let’s see in detail each parameter.
1. Quality of life
Living in Spain means living in an environment that is not only warm and sunny but also incredibly beautiful and healthy. Spain is an European oasis with its golden beaches and magnificent mountain scenery, where one can walk through the beautiful wilderness and still be close to the town.
The work schedule is usually flexible, and lunch time is sacred. In some regions, we are talking about a two-hour coffee break, and in some ones – about the famous Spanish siesta. Work is never put in the first place here, and to call on business issues during dinner or on the weekends – it is just not good manners. Family, meetings with friends, social activity – this is what comes to the fore.
2. Quality of medical care
The average lifespan of the Spanish inhabitants is currently 82.01 – one of the highest life expectancies in the world. And it’s no wonder by having all the advantages of fresh air, sun, sea, great food, less stress and developed health care.
In the state health system, prescription drugs are sold at a 40 % discount to the working-age people and at a 60% discount to the unemployed. All medicines for pensioners over the age of 65 are provided free of charge.
Talking about private health insurance, it is also very developed and affordable: a policy with full coverage will cost about 50-120 euros/month, depending on the age and health of the insured.
3. Safety and comfort
Spain has a low crime rate, which is confirmed by the Numbeo rating, where is the crime index 32.74 and safety index 67.26 against the crime index 44.92 and safety index 55.08 in the UK. If that is talked about the safest Spanish cities, it will be Valencia (25.60 and 74.40, respectively) and Alicante (28.11 and 71.89, respectively.
It is also worth remembering that most new residential complexes in Spain have a closed territory and a 24/7 video surveillance system.
4. Active social life
The Spanish are well known for their goodwill, their cheerful disposition, their generosity and their love of entertainment. There’s no prejudice and everyone can expect to be greeted with kindness and understanding. Making friends here – that’s easy! Spaniards are known for their passion for socialising and every open and friendly person can count on neighbours with the same character.
Moreover, there is a great British expat community in Spain.
Now, about 300,000 Brits have already moved to Spain and millions of British tourists (18.08 million in 2019) visit Spain every year.
English can be heard in any bar and restaurant, shop or just on the street. Almost any institution in a town will have English-speaking staff.
When homesick and wishing to escape the Spanish sun caught up, it is need only a short, cheap and comfortable flight to the UK, just for showing off pretty sun tan to all friends!
5. The mild Mediterranean climate
The Spanish climate is characterized by hot dry summers and mild winters with infrequent frosts in inland areas with this climate type. The summers are hot, the winters are mild and most precipitation falls in the autumn.
Talking about the Costa Blanca, it gives its residents about 320 sunny days a year, snowless winters and the opportunity to sunbathe on its magnificent beaches all year round.
6. The best European beaches
There are many popular holiday destinations but also those hidden, little-known pearls which are often located in small Mediterranean bays of Spain.
For example, beaches like Mar Menor, a salty lagoon in Murcia, which is separated from the sea by La Manga. The place is unique, because it is possible to swim both in the sea and the ocean within five minutes.
Or crystal-clear blue waters of Cala Llombards in Majorca where kids can swim safely in warm, gentle waves and their parents can dive, sail or enjoy the melodious whisper of the ocean in one of the most magnificent coastal resorts.
Generally speaking, Spain is the absolute world leader in the number of Blue flag awards on beaches! 589 beaches of the Sunny Kingdom received this honorary quality mark in 2020. The absolute leadership of the fourth decade in a row!
7. The healthy lifestyle
Spain is the champion in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
The Mediterranean diet is something worth to try! The delicious local food which is discovered in Spain is an important component of why the inhabitants of Spain are in general healthier than in many other parts of the world. Various fruit, vegetables and greenery oils and nuts, fish and meat – most people confirm the fact that seasonally products are more preferable here, and this means that local food is often fresher and tastier than in many other countries.
One shouldn’t overlook the Spanish phenomenon «siesta».This is a nice tradition which has not disappeared even as the country has grown and changed. Taking a short nap at the hottest hours of the day is a reasonable and useful idea!
Most Brits find that the generally slower Spanish pace of life is not bad. Of course, there are also minor inconveniences in the form of closed stores and state institutions. But if we follow the example of the Spaniards, this will not be a problem.
8. Spain is equally suitable for any social standing
Spain is great for all categories of residents.
The Spanish adore children and their attitude towards them is kind and accepting.There are no any judgement here when kids make noise or don’t behave right. Basic school education is free, but there are a wide range of the private British schools in Spain which follow the British system of teaching and teach in English. Education in such schools is payable but more affordable than in the UK
HSBC’s Expat Explorer study also has shown some figures regarding employment among foreigners residing in Spain: 88% of the British are successfully employed compared to only 78% of other expats. So, job opportunities as well as local lifestyle are really attractive.
Preference in employment is given to private entrepreneurs and highly qualified specialists.
According to the many thousands of British retirees who did it, the lifestyle and safety in Spain much higher than in the UK. The health level in Spain is recognized as the best in the world (Bloomberg Global Health Index, 2019) and the affordable price of spacious housing and comfortable apartments is a big advantage. And with the average British pension, one can afford an above-average standard of living here, because day-to-day living costs are cheaper.
9. Great opportunities to buy a «dream house»
Spain can boast a year-round warm climate and housing for every taste and budget.
The architecture is a mix of older small properties and modern new-buildings. Everyone can find a wide range of suitable offers.
Mortgage rates in Spain are relatively low and these loans are available for foreigners. According to the latest data, Brits often choose homes with an area of more than 100 meters and more than two bedrooms.
10. Entertainment to a wide range of interests
The British pensioners often choose the small-town life in Spain. Everyone is equal here, the local millionaire can enjoy tapas in the cafe sitting nearby the town garbage man and everyone is happy.
Rural Spain fascinates by natural views and by a simple lifestyle, and many small towns preserved architectural monuments in the form of charming chapels, churches and towers, around which it is so pleasant to take walks.
Young people can count on bright nightlife in big cities of Spain, the king of them is Benidorm – Spanish Las Vegas and the queen is Ibiza – the party capital of the world. For those who are interested in sports, there are countless types of marine activities and the royal game – golf, which is an affordable sport here, and the courses meet the highest international standards.
11. Spanish is easy to learn for the Brits
Spanish is known to be one of the simplest languages to learn as well as one of the most beautiful sounding.
The grammatical rules and word order in a sentence can differ, but the Latin roots in the word are very helpful for general understanding.
In addition, Spaniards are very friendly and lenient to foreigners who try to learn their language. And even if you can only say «muchas gracias», you will certainly be praised for your good Spanish.
12. Brexit is an important reason to move to Spain in 2020
Many Brits move to Spain each year, and this is a well-established process. There are many lawyers, real estate agents and other experts, who are ready to provide a consultation in English to make immigration as simple and stress free as possible.
Brexit is one more reason to move to Spain in 2020.Spain is interested in attracting of foreign property buyers and does its best to simplify all related procedures.
Isn’t all this enough to move to hospitable Spain right now?
