{"id":454287,"date":"2022-06-29T14:30:57","date_gmt":"2022-06-29T11:30:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alegria-realestate.com\/?p=454287"},"modified":"2022-07-20T14:44:21","modified_gmt":"2022-07-20T11:44:21","slug":"france-vs-spain-immigration-and-life-comparison-by-country","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alegria-realestate.com\/en\/articles\/france-vs-spain-immigration-and-life-comparison-by-country","title":{"rendered":"France VS Spain: Immigration and Life Comparison By Country"},"content":{"rendered":"

When a person makes a decision to emigrate, he often faces a complex task of choosing the country where he\u2019s going to move. Of course, sometimes a place is chosen first, and then a decision is already taken to move, but the first scenario is more common. The person begins to search for information, compare, ask questions…
\nOur article today is intended to assist those who choose between France and Spain. Let’s start with some statistics:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Population<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nFrance<\/strong><\/td>\nSpain<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Population Density Per Square Kilometre<\/td>\n122.7<\/td>\n93.6<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Life Expectancy For Men<\/td>\n80 years<\/td>\n81 yers<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Life Expectancy For Women<\/td>\n86 years<\/td>\n86 years<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Median Age<\/td>\n41.7 years<\/td>\n43.9 years<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Birth Rate<\/td>\n11.20%<\/td>\n7.60%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Death Rate<\/td>\n9.10%<\/td>\n8.80%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Migration Rate<\/td>\n1.06%<\/td>\n1.39%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Quality of Life (from 0 to 100, higher is better)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nFrance<\/strong><\/td>\nSpain<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Political Stability<\/td>\n71<\/td>\n67<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Civil Rights<\/td>\n83<\/td>\n73<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Health Care<\/td>\n91<\/td>\n88<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Climate<\/td>\n41<\/td>\n74<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Economy<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nFrance<\/strong><\/td>\nSpain<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Unemployment Rate<\/td>\n8%<\/td>\n15.5%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Inflation<\/td>\n1.64%<\/td>\n-0.32<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cost of Living<\/td>\n115.98%<\/td>\n100%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Taxes<\/td>\n60.70%<\/td>\n47.00%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Average Income<\/td>\n\u20ac 33,381<\/td>\n\u20ac23,134<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Corruption Index<\/td>\n71 (high)<\/td>\n61 (moderate)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Climate<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nFrance<\/strong><\/td>\nSpain<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Average Temperature Daytime<\/td>\n16.7\u00b0C<\/td>\n21.0\u00b0C<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Average Temperature At Night<\/td>\n7.9\u00b0C<\/td>\n11.1\u00b0C<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Water Temperature<\/td>\n15.4\u00b0C<\/td>\n16.7\u00b0C<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Humidity<\/td>\n78%<\/td>\n68%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rainy Days<\/td>\n8,9<\/td>\n5,9<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sunny Hours Per Day<\/td>\n5,4<\/td>\n7,0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

*<\/strong>Data from the portal datosmundial.com, according to May 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Quality of Life Index<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nFrance<\/strong><\/td>\nSpain<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Purchasing Power Index<\/td>\nModerate 76.99<\/td>\nModerate 75.14<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Safety Index<\/td>\nModerate 45.81<\/td>\nHigh 65.21<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Health Care Index<\/td>\nHigh 79.96<\/td>\nHigh 78.16<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Climate Index<\/td>\nVery High 89.97<\/td>\nVery High 93.65<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cost of Living Index<\/td>\nModerate 68.30<\/td>\nLow 49.50<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Property Price to Income Ratio<\/td>\nHigh 12.19<\/td>\nLow 7.45<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Traffic Commute Time Index<\/td>\nLow 34.72<\/td>\nLow 29.20<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pollution Index<\/td>\nModerate 42.22<\/td>\nLow 39.14<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Quality of Life Index<\/td>\nHigh 151.15<\/td>\nVery High 172.04<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

*<\/strong>Data from the portal numbeo.com, according to June 2022.<\/p>\n

France VS Spain: Similarities and Differences<\/h2>\n

Below we have put together all the main similarities and differences between the two countries according to those people\u2019s opinions who managed to live in both places.<\/p>\n

Employment<\/h3>\n

France has a much lower unemployment rate. It is much easier to find a job here than in Spain.
\nIn addition, France offers higher salaries than Spain, but the cost of living is also higher.<\/p>\n

Cost of Living<\/h3>\n

As already mentioned, the cost of living in Spain is lower in virtually all areas than in France. A detailed price comparison of these two countries can be found in the last part of this article.<\/p>\n

Paris is the most expensive city in France. Life here is much more expensive than in any Spanish city, including popular Madrid and Barcelona.<\/p>\n

Climate<\/h3>\n

According to climatic conditions, Spain wins over France: there are more sunny days, higher average annual air temperature and sea water temperature. However, when choosing a zone for living, it should be borne in mind that the climate varies greatly from region to region.<\/p>\n

In Spain, there are both zones where there is practically no winter, and zones where the temperature drops below zero and it snows in the cold season. Another undeniable advantage of Spain: anyone can find a climate to his liking here. Just a few hours drive and you are at the sea, or in the mountains, or on the ocean cost, or at a ski resort, or in a green forest\u2026<\/p>\n

Beaches<\/h3>\n

In Spain, there are lots of them, for every taste: wild and perfectly landscaped, sandy and rocky, nudist, surfer, for relaxing with children or pets, for diving or snorkeling, for long walks and admiring sunsets \u2013 the choices are limitless.<\/p>\n

Nature<\/p>\n

Nature and landscapes are beautiful both in Spain and in France. However, if we talk about the first country, the northern regions are pleased with more diverse and beautiful views, while the southern ones are more arid.<\/p>\n

Mentality<\/h3>\n

There are legends about the hospitality and goodwill of the Spaniards, and they are really well-founded. Moreover, the further south, the more open, tolerant and life-loving Spaniards are.<\/p>\n

The French are more closed persons. However, it is also worth bearing in mind the difference between urban and rural mentality. In big cities, people are more serious and withdrawn, whereas the inhabitants of the province are more sincere and more sociable.<\/p>\n

Quality and Lifestyle<\/h3>\n

Life in Spain is simpler and quieter, but at the same time, it can be too noisy and lively for introverts and peace lovers here. Spaniards are very social, they love to spend time in bars, talk loudly and laugh \u2013 they are very emotional and expressive persons. So, those who prefer tranquility and privacy are unlikely to feel comfortable in resort towns in high season.<\/p>\n

Spain offers a huge variety of languages, cultures, and gastronomic traditions, while France is more conservative in this respect. One of the striking features of Spain is that many bright festivals and holidays are held here.<\/p>\n

The quality of life in France is somewhat higher than in Spain, as well as is the level of education and health care. France also has a more developed transport system than Spain.<\/p>\n

In both Spain and France, family and family values are of paramount importance.<\/p>\n

In France, there are no striking differences in certain areas of life between regions, unlike in Spain. The most vivid example is regional languages like Catalan in Catalonia, where the local authorities are gradually \u00abpushing\u00bb through its advantage over the general Spanish \u2013 Castilian in all areas, including education.<\/p>\n

Bureaucracy and Social Sphere<\/h3>\n

The Spanish bureaucracy is a nightmare for all those who have had to deal with it. The administrative organization \u00ablimps on both legs\u00bb, all processes are extremely slow, and the waiting times for even the simplest documents sometimes exceed all reasonable limits.
\nIn France, this area is organized much better. Unemployment benefit, social package and assistance to immigrants are those areas where France also overtakes Spain.<\/p>\n

France and Spain: Obtaining a Residence Permit<\/h2>\n

Ways of Obtaining a Residence Permit in France<\/h3>\n

A residence permit in France allows a foreign citizen to stay at the territory of this country for more than 180 days a year. French residence permit is issued for a year with the possibility of renewal 5 times.
\nThe main conditions for obtaining a residence permit in France are the following:<\/p>\n