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Well known for its picturesque beaches, good food, architecture, and welcoming people, Spain has become a favourite destination for Canadians looking to move out of the country. Before you get to enjoy the perks of living in Spain, there are several things that you must prepare. Here are some of the most important things to know before moving from Canada to Spain.
The first step in planning a move to Spain is to acquire a visa that best fits your situation. If you are a Canadian citizen of a non-European Union country, you have to obtain a visa from the Spanish consulate in Canada if you want to work, stay or study in Spain for more than 90 days. If you are an American citizen, you can apply for a visa at your nearest Spanish consulate in person only.
You can easily move your things from Canada to Spain by plane or boat, but make sure the moving company you decide on is reliable. So when opting for an international moving company, here’s what you should look for:
Unless they have significant emotional attachment to their car, most Canadians choose to leave their cars behind when moving to Spain due to the elevated shipping and import fees and the long vehicle inspection process. If you must absolutely ship your car to Spain, here are the steps to follow:
*Ask your chosen car shipping company for additional requirements.
Within 30 days of your arrival in Spain, you will have to apply for a Foreigner’s Identity Card/number at your local foreigners office or at the police station. This number is a must to complete all administrative tasks such as getting a bank account, getting paid, paying taxes, buying a property, and obtaining a driver’s license.
As a Canadian, you must apply for a Spanish driver’s license within 6 months of settling down in Spain. Prior to those 6 months, you can drive with your Canadian driver’s license. After 6 months, you must sign up at a driving school where you will undergo a written and practical test. You will only have to renew your license once every 10 years until you turn 65 and every 5 years thereafter.
If you are a Canadian looking to stay in Spain permanently, a resident bank account is more practical as it offers more than the non-resident account. To open a bank account, you will need to bring your passport, your Foreigner’s Identity Card, proof of residence, and proof of employment. The four major banks in Spain are Bankia, BBVA, La Caixa and Santander.
Spain has one of the top free healthcare systems in Europe. However, it does not include coverage for dentists, ambulances, and medication.
As a Canadian living in Spain, you can access the healthcare system for free if you meet the necessary requirements:
Click here to verify if you are eligible for Spanish healthcare benefits as a Canadian. If you do not speak Spanish make sure you translate the page by right clicking your mouse and clicking ‘Translate to English’.
Madrid: As the Capital of Spain with the biggest population, Madrid is known as the economic and business centre of Spain. Here you can experience the historical and cultural parts of Spain.
Barcelona: With its amazing views, the lifestyle in Barcelona will definitely surprise you and keep you entertained year-round.
Alicante: If you’re looking for a paradise type of city to live in, Alicante won’t disappoint with its sunny beaches and welcoming people!
Malaga: With its variety of beaches and top-rated restaurants, Malaga is a beautiful city to live in. Malaga also has the friendliest people and great weather!
Finding a house or apartment to live in Spain is easy! We highly recommend you know what you’re looking for before you arrive in Spain so that upon your arrival, you can quickly get settled in. Idealista, A Place in the Sun, and Kyero are all websites that can help you find a house or apartment in Spain.
After purchasing or renting a property, the next step is to set up utilities. Electricity is awfully expensive in Spain compared to other European countries. On average electricity in Spain costs $0.35 CAD per kWh compared to Canada’s average cost of $0.17 CAD per kWh.
The most popular electricity companies in Spain are the following:
Water shortage is a perennial problem in the country. You should expect the supplier to control the flow during certain times of the year. Tap water is safe for consumption. Gas is available in major Spanish cities. Utilities in Spain are billed every two months. The most advisable way to make payments is by direct debit from your bank account.
The Internet in Spain in terms of pricing is like Canada, but the quality is considerably average. You should expect to pay $55-65 CAD a month for the internet in Spain along with an additional installation and equipment fee.
The main internet providers in Spain are:
Cell phone plans in Spain work differently than in Canada. In Spain cell phone minutes and data are provided through sim cards. Make sure your Canadian phone is unlocked prior to arriving in Spain so you can simply insert a Spanish sim card and immediately start using your phone from there. Sim card features include data, calls, and texting. 8GB of data with unlimited calls and texting, will cost you around $40 CAD per month.
The main Spanish cell phone networks are:
If you do not meet the requirements for access to Spain’s free healthcare system, you must purchase health insurance prior to your arrival in Spain. Looking for private health insurance in Spain? Here are some of the top private health insurance companies in Spain:
Buying a home in Spain is a great investment and a perfect way to feel at home! Here are some of the top home insurance companies in Spain:
Car insurance is mandatory in Spain. The minimum car insurance coverage in Spain is third party liability coverage. Here are some of the top car insurance companies in Spain:
While life insurance is not mandatory in Spain, it is a must to ensure your financials are taken care of in case of any unexpected events. Here are some of the top life insurance companies in Spain:
The average cost of living in Spain is just under $2600 CAD per month away from the city centre. The same kind of accommodation can be $4000 CAD in the major cities and near popular tourist spots.
Expense | CAD $ |
Rent for furnished one- or two-bedroom apartment | $950 |
Utilities (gas, water, electricity, phone, internet) | $200 |
Groceries | $425 |
Entertainment (eating out & other) | $400 |
Insurance and Healthcare | $350 |
Other | $250 |
Grocery stores and stores in general will open and close at different times during the day in Spain. For instance, many stores are closed for a lunch break and will close as early as 2 pm, even on the weekend! On Sundays, supermarkets are typically closed. The most common supermarkets in Spain are: Mercadona, Carrefour, Grupo DIA, Lidl, Grupo Eroski, Grupo Auchan, and Supermercados regionales.
In your new life in Spain, you should expect a lot of joy, beauty, and a laid-back lifestyle. The Spanish lifestyle is very laid back compared to the Canadian lifestyle, so you can already start de-stressing! Start learning Spanish if you haven’t learned it already as it will help you interact more with the locals and build many friendships!
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