As of 2024, 8,915,831 people born in a different country lived in Spain. That makes up 18.3% of the 48,619,695 population.

Technically, an expat is someone who lives outside of their native country, but we think the word has taken on a new meaning lately. The modern expat is typically slightly younger, coming here alone and searching for a better life and some Spanish fun with some work on the side; would you agree?

And for that niche of expats in Spain, some cities are definitely better than others.

Read on for the top-rated cities for expats in 2025.

Barcelona

Barcelona has to be the first on the list for moving to Spain from UK. Depending on where you are (Eixample and Gracia districts, we’re talking about you), there are more expats than Spaniards.

It’s really the place to be if you want to meet people in the same situation, network if you’re a freelancer or business, and, more than anything else, live a good life. As of January 2024, 25.4% of Barcelona residents were listed as foreign nationals, so it’s impossible not to walk into a cafe and hear at least 3 different languages.

But for someone looking to settle in, that’s great. You can also use websites and apps like MeetUp to find a social event every night of the week.

It’s true that the cost of living is slightly higher here, with the average rent price being €1,131.7 in Q2, 2024, which was actually a dip of 5.2% from Q1. Still, it’s expensive, and those numbers are for a small apartment. The most expensive districts are Sarrià – Sant Gervasi, Les Corts, and Eixample. The average rent is around €1,651.79, €1,388.19, and €1,349.88, respectively.

Still, if you’re prepared for higher prices (even the food and drinks are more expensive), this is the place to be. Our advice is to spend your days in Barceloneta and Vila de Gracia to meet other expats and have the confidence to mingle!

Madrid

Madrid has a similar vibe to Barcelona. There are more than one million expats, so technically, if you’re looking at the numbers, Madrid wins, but for UK nationals, we will always argue that Barcelona is better.

That’s not to say that the expat community, especially for British nationals, isn’t growing in Madrid. And sitting 4th in the list of cities in Spain for the best quality of life, you can’t argue with that.

The same as with Barcelona, rent can be expensive here. The top-rated areas in Madrid for expats are:

• Chamberí
• Malasaña
• Chueca
• Retiro
• Salamanca
• La Latina
• Lavapiés

The average rent in Chamberí, for example, is €2,388 per month and €1300 – €1600 per month for a 2-bedroom apartment in Lavapiés.

Still, as with Barcelona, if you can afford it, the expat life here really is great.

Valencia

Valencia is the sweet spot. Unlike Barcelona and Madrid, this city has city life and beaches. And a respectable 133,568 expats live in Valencia, so whilst it might be more difficult to find people, it definitely isn’t impossible, especially if you use the apps we mentioned above.

Valencia has that balance. It’s lively but not overwhelming. The Ruzafa and El Carmen neighbourhoods seem to like to live. They have trendy bars, indie cafes, art galleries, and people who move here for a slower, happier life.

And rent? So much better than Madrid. In Q2 2024, the average rent was €858.62. Even in the most popular central areas, like Ciutat Vella (the Valencian one, not Barcelona), they start at €900.

Valencia is also pushing hard for international residents. It was named the European Capital of Smart Tourism in 2022, and it shows. The public transport is reliable, digital nomad events happen every week, and there are so many co-working spaces to go to.

Living in Spain

Living in Spain is the best thing you will ever do, but there are a few formalities to sort out before and when you live here. The first is obviously the visa. Any national outside the EU must request and successfully obtain the correct visa and the correct NIE/TIE to live and work in Spain. For example, if you went for a Non-Lucrative visa, you couldn’t work in Spain. If you go for the Digital Nomad visa, you can work in Spain for as long as your visa is valid.

Then there’s the issue that if you are working in Spain, you have to pay the taxes. And if nobody has warned you about Spanish taxes, it’s a lot different to the UK tax system.

You can find all this information with the help of legal immigration services, something we highly recommend you access!

Spain is an expat magnet for a reason. Where to go? The truth is, it all depends on what you want — fast-paced and social, calm and coastal, or something in between. Just be prepared to arrive with a suitcase and stay for a lifetime.

Spain is an expat magnet for a reason. Where to go? The truth is, it all depends on what you want — fast-paced and social, calm and coastal, or something in between. Just be prepared to arrive with a suitcase and stay for a lifetime.