Living in Spain: Cost of Living, Quality of Life, and Testimonials from French Expats

Published on June 30, 2026 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Moving to the other side of the Pyrenees is a dream for many French people. Sun, a more relaxed pace, tapas bars open late into the night, (still) affordable real estate… But how much of this image remains when you look closely at the numbers and listen to those who have already taken the plunge? Is living in Spain really cheaper than in France? What is daily life, the healthcare system, safety, and children’s schooling like? And above all: how do the French who live there describe their new life?

Cost of Living: A Still Attractive Spain, but Under Real Estate Pressure

On paper, the advantage is clear. The cost of living in Spain is on average 20 to 30% lower than in France or the United Kingdom. International comparisons agree: Spanish prices represent about 86 to 92% of French prices depending on the methodology, and roughly half those of very expensive cities like Zurich or Copenhagen. Compared to the United States, the overall spending level is about 25% lower.

Concretely, this means that, for the same lifestyle, a French expatriate needs less monthly budget than in France, especially outside major centers like Madrid or Barcelona. Data from the Spanish National Statistics Institute (INE) gives an idea of the average bill: around €1,135 per month per person or €2,837 per household in 2024, with a slightly higher budget recommendation for 2026, at €1,188 per person and €2,969 per household, taking into account inflation back around 2%.

But the average hides very different realities depending on the city, and especially a surge in rents that reshuffles the deck for newcomers.

Housing, the Main Expense for Expatriates

For a French person considering living in Spain, the question of housing is by far the most sensitive. Historically, it was one of the country’s big advantages: low rents, reasonable purchase prices, especially outside the major capitals.

Figures remain generally favorable compared to France:

In the long term, buying in Spain is therefore significantly cheaper than in France, with average mortgage payments 40% lower for comparable surfaces. In many regions outside major metropolitan areas, the price per square meter is around €2,000, while France far exceeds €3,000 on average.

In large cities and tourist areas, the situation is even more tense. In Madrid and Barcelona, rents have reached historic highs, driven by very low supply, high demand, the boom in tourist rentals, and appetite from foreign investors.

To get an idea, here is a range of rents for a one-bedroom apartment in city center:

Long-established French expats, protected by annual indexation caps (around 2%), continue to benefit from relatively “historic” rents. In contrast, those arriving or having to move are confronted head-on with the new market reality: decent apartments below €1,000 in city centers of major capitals are rare, and properties rent within days, sometimes at prices higher than the initial listing.

Consequently, more and more expats—like locals—are moving away from the center or giving up on certain cities now deemed unaffordable. In some central neighborhoods of Madrid, rents have jumped over 20% in one year; in Barcelona, cumulative increases of 60% over five years are reported in certain tourist sectors. Testimonials mention landlords switching properties to short-term rentals, or offering current tenants renewals at double the price for the summer.

Typical Budgets: From the Capital to Mid-Sized Cities

Beyond housing, daily life remains significantly less expensive than in France. Comparisons of consumer baskets show savings of 10 to 20% on food and 20 to 30% on overall daily expenses.

For a couple of retirees or workers who own their apartment (so no mortgage), budgets are even more comfortable: excluding rent, a couple can live well on €1,500 to €2,900 per month depending on the city, including private health insurance, outings, transportation, and daily expenses. A single retiree in a paid-off apartment in Alicante or Murcia can aim for a pleasant standard of living between €1,400 and €1,700 monthly.

In large cities, with rent to pay, the ranges go up:

These amounts include an “average European” lifestyle (regular outings, some travel, private health insurance, well-located apartment), but exclude private or international school fees.

Groceries, Restaurants, and Leisure: A More Affordable Daily Life Than in France

This is often where French expats immediately feel the difference. The checkout at the supermarket, the bill at the restaurant, the price of a beer on the terrace are significantly less painful than in France.

A few average price benchmarks:

For a single expat, a monthly grocery budget of €200 to €300 allows for decent eating, especially by favoring local products and chains like Mercadona, Lidl, Consum, or Aldi. A couple typically spends between €250 and €350 depending on their consumption habits, a family of four around €500 to €600, sometimes up to €900 with many imported products.

Drinks on the terrace follow the same trend: a draft beer costs €2 to €3 while many French cities are at €5–7, a cappuccino is around €2, a decent bottle of wine at a restaurant remains very accessible. As a result, a couple that dines out twice a week and has a drink with friends once a week will generally spend €300 to €500 per month on dining and leisure, a much lighter expense than in France at the same frequency.

Energy, Water, and Communications: Lower Bills

Utility costs (water, electricity, gas, garbage) also count in the budget. Here again, Spain maintains the advantage over France, even if the energy price hike has affected it too.

For an apartment of 80–85 m², aggregated data gives:

A typical couple thus spends €140 to €260 per month for all their energy and water bills, with peaks of 50% in the middle of winter (heating) or the heart of summer (air conditioning). In some expat testimonials, water is around €20–25 per month, but regional differences are significant.

Transport: An Efficient and Affordable Public System

For many French people, Spanish public transport is a pleasant surprise: dense network in large cities, reasonable fares, increasingly competitive long-distance trains. In 2026, the average household transport expenditure should be around €338 per month nationally, but this includes all items (fuel, public transport, car maintenance).

For an urban expat without a car, costs are significantly lower: a monthly public transport pass in Madrid or Barcelona is around €55–60, with some tickets subsidized. Gas is generally cheaper than in France (around €1.52/L versus €1.76/L on average in France).

Quality of Life: Sun, Safety, and Work-Life Balance

If French expats continue to favor Spain, it is not only for the cost of living: it is also because the quality of life ranks among the best in the world according to many rankings.

One of the Best Work-Life Balances in the World

International studies on well-being at work are unanimous: Spain is one of the world champions in terms of work-life balance. A benchmark report places the country at the very top globally on this criterion, ahead of countries like Denmark or the Netherlands. Another ranking from HR experts places it second, just behind New Zealand.

Why such a score? First, because the legal framework is generous:

Added to this is a daily rhythm that, for a French person, can sometimes seem offbeat but very conducive to social life: late lunch around 2 p.m., dinner often at 9–10 p.m., long conversations at the table, going out on weekdays without guilt. According to the OECD, only 3% of Spanish employees work “very long hours,” compared to 10% on average in the OECD, and Spaniards devote an average of 15.7 hours per day to personal life (sleep, meals, leisure), more than the average in wealthy countries.

The expats surveyed confirm this impression: about 67% of them say they are satisfied with their work-life balance (compared to 60% globally), and 84% say they are generally happy with their life in Spain, well above the international average (67%). In terms of working hours, the weekly hours for expats are around 40.7, a bit less than elsewhere (42.5 hours global average), with a significant proportion of full-time teleworkers (38%, double the global average).

A Higher Sense of Safety Than in France

For many French people, personal safety has become a central criterion for choosing an expatriation country. In this area, Spain shows solid results. Crime statistics reveal a country significantly safer than France, and more broadly than the United Kingdom or Italy.

A few comparative orders of magnitude:

Major international indices rank Spain among the safest countries in Europe: third safest country on the continent in some rankings, 32nd globally according to the Global Peace Index, and an overall crime score around 35.8 out of 100, placing it well below France (index 55.4) or the United Kingdom (47.3).

The main risks relate more to petty crime, especially in very touristy areas: pickpockets on the metro or on Las Ramblas in Barcelona, thefts on beaches or at café terraces. Expats quickly learn the right reflexes: keep an eye on your bag, avoid placing your phone on the terrace table, be wary of overly friendly people who get too close. But outside these mass tourism hotspots, particularly in the north (Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias) and many medium-sized cities like Zaragoza, daily life unfolds in an atmosphere that many French people describe as more serene than in France.

Healthcare: A High-Level Public System and Affordable Private Care

Another pillar of quality of life for expats is healthcare. In this regard, Spain is among the very best. Major international comparisons regularly place it in the global top 10 healthcare systems, often ahead of countries like the United States and sometimes neck and neck with France.

The public system, the Sistema Nacional de Salud (SNS), is universal for citizens and many residents. It is based on a dense network of local health centers and public hospitals. Basic care and emergencies are free, with prescriptions co-financed according to status (workers pay up to 40% of medicine prices, retirees about 10%).

Feedback from expats is generally positive: quick and effective emergency care, medical quality rated very good, especially for serious pathologies. Some note a slightly rough reception or facilities less shiny than in the private sector, but overall confidence in the system is high. The real downsides concern waiting times for non-urgent consultations or certain planned surgeries, where waiting lists can reach eight or nine months in pressured regions.

Many French people therefore opt for a public/private mix. Especially since private insurance is much more affordable than in France: a healthy adult will often pay between €50 and €100 per month for comprehensive coverage, a family of four between €150 and €300. A couple in their sixties in Madrid cited a price around €330 per month for two, via a major national company. In exchange, direct access to specialists, very short waiting times for exams, modern private hospitals, and, often, services in English.

Cost comparisons are spectacular for expats from North America: orthotics costing $300 in the US cost €45 in Spain, a screening colonoscopy costs €23 in the private sector, and a hospital stay for pneumonia costs ten times less than in the United States. For French people, the difference is less extreme, but the out-of-pocket cost linked to private insurance generally remains lower than the combination of Social Security and top-tier mutual insurance in France.

Climate, Sociability, and Perceived Well-Being

Finally, it is impossible to talk about quality of life without mentioning the climate and culture. On the Mediterranean coast, the sun shines most days of the year. Cities like Valencia, Malaga, Alicante, or the Canaries offer mild winters, a long terrace season, easy access to the sea. In the north (Bilbao, San Sebastian, Vigo), the weather is wetter but temperatures remain moderate, and the quality of life is deemed excellent, with gastronomy among the best in Europe.

What also strikes French expats is the very social dimension of Spanish culture: endless meals, aperitifs with children playing in the square, elderly people very present in public spaces, habits of gathering outside until late at night. In some university or tourist towns, the frequency of outings is such that a French person used to dinners at 7 p.m. must rethink their concept of an evening. One French student recounted her surprise upon arriving in Barcelona: dinner systematically at 9–10 p.m., almost no dryers, kisses on both cheeks at every meeting, interior doors without locks, professors very accessible outside class.

For some, these differences are a pleasure; for others, a real culture shock. French people, often attached to a certain formality, regular schedules, and a clear separation between work and private life, can be destabilized by Spanish flexibility, the element of improvisation in work organization, the noise level in offices, the more frequent use of the informal “tú” even in hierarchical relationships. Many end up seeing it as an advantage: more human connections, more adaptability, less interpersonal bureaucracy—even if administrative bureaucracy remains very present.

Where to Settle? Quick Portrait of Some Flagship Destinations

For a French person considering living in Spain, the choice of city largely determines the budget, but also the type of life.

Valencia regularly tops expat rankings: reasonable cost of living, Mediterranean climate, beaches, superb historic center, efficient public transport, high safety, and a growing foreign community. In InterNations rankings, the city often ranks number one globally for expat satisfaction, ahead of Malaga and Alicante.

Alicante and the Costa Blanca offer a compromise between low prices, beautiful beaches, and a well-connected airport. For a single person in Valencia or Alicante, a budget of €1,800 to €2,500 per month (including housing) allows for comfortable living; in Madrid or Barcelona, you should rather count €2,800 to €4,000 for the same comfort.

The north (Bilbao, San Sebastian, Vitoria-Gasteiz) attracts a different clientele: milder climate, green landscapes, very high scores in terms of safety, infrastructure, food, and overall resident satisfaction. San Sebastian, in particular, is often cited as the Spanish city offering the best standard of living, with low pollution levels, excellent healthcare system, and a generally very satisfied population.

Finally, for “small budgets,” cities like Murcia, Cordoba, or Huelva are highlighted for retirement: very low cost of living, advantageous taxation (especially on assets in certain regions like Andalusia), good level of healthcare (Murcia is even described as a “hidden gem” with a high-complexity hospital system), warm climate, and quiet lifestyle.

Testimonials and Lived Realities: What French Expatriates Say

Behind the numbers, there are concrete lives. The testimonials of French expats in Spain paint a contrasting but overall very positive picture.

Financially, many highlight the gap in daily expenses: “By doing my shopping at the market and the neighborhood supermarket, I easily spend 20% less than in Lyon for the same quality,” says a French woman based in Valencia. Another, in Madrid, notes that “eating out has become a regular pleasure again, not an occasional luxury: a menú del día at €12, a beer at €2.50, it changes everything on the leisure budget.”

Retirees or “digital nomads” also testify to the possibility of maintaining a good standard of living with fixed incomes: “With my French pension and a small freelance supplement, I live well in Alicante for €1,700 per month, apartment paid off,” sums up a former civil servant.

On the housing front, testimonials are more tense recently. Several French people who arrived in 2025–2026 tell of the struggle to find a “normal” rental in highly sought-after areas: “In Malaga, almost all the long-term rentals we visited were actually October-to-June rentals, with an obligation to leave in summer to make way for tourists at €4,000 per month,” explains a couple who came from London. Another in Madrid observes that “prices have risen so much that to stay in our neighborhood, we would have to pay double our current rent; we prefer not to move at all as long as the law protects us.”

Where a French manager will have a very structured meeting, a Spanish manager will often start with 10 minutes talking about soccer and family, then decide on a whim. At first, it annoyed me, but now I also see advantages.

Franco-Spanish executive in tech

Finally, many emphasize the way Spanish people include the elderly in social life. Grandparents in the parks, seniors at the tapas bar, peaceful queues in health centers: for French people marked by the isolation of retirees, this visibility is often experienced as a strong sign of the “care” given to elders, and a major argument for retirement.

What to Keep in Mind Before Packing Your Bags

Living in Spain remains, for a French expat, a very attractive prospect. Daily expenses – food, outings, transport, health – are significantly lower than in France, the quality of life is high, safety is overall better, and the climate and culture largely compensate for minor administrative inconveniences.

But the image of a Spain “cheap everywhere and for everything” belongs partly to the past. For newcomers, housing in large cities and tourist areas has become the main sticking point: sharply rising rents, limited supply, fierce competition from short-term rentals. The key to a successful expatriation project is therefore to carefully align your expectations, budget, and choice of city.

In summary, for a French person considering living in Spain today, a few major benchmarks emerge:

For French expats already on the ground, the assessment is largely positive: many say they would not see themselves going back, despite the surge in rents in some cities. For those still hesitating, the key is to base your decision on current figures rather than clichés, to carefully choose your region according to your budget and profile, and to accept that living in Spain is less an eternal postcard than a very advantageous compromise between purchasing power, the sweetness of life, and new horizons.

Cyril Jarnias

Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.

On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.

Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.

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