Cost of living in Spain: housing, food, transportation and other important details

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15 Jun. 2024

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Cost of living in Spain: housing, food, transportation and other important details

Cost of living

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Spain

Spain is among the top five EU countries that have received the largest number of refugees from Ukraine. And although it is a developed country with a high standard of living, high inflation has significantly affected prices in Spain. Find out more about the cost of living in Spain in 2024

An insurance policy is a guarantee of your safety and peaceful stay outside of Ukraine

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Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, almost 200 thousand Ukrainians have left for Spain. A visa-free stay here is limited to 90 days, but, as in any other EU country, you can apply for temporary protection.

Although Spain charms everyone with its comfortable climate, delicious cuisine, and high-quality healthcare, the cost of living is a key issue for most migrants.

We are going to tell you about food prices, rent, healthcare, utilities and other aspects of the cost of living in Spain.

Renting a house in Spain

Madrid is the most popular city in the country among the migrant community. The cost of renting a one-room apartment here will cost about 950 euros per month in the center, while on the outskirts you can find similar offers for 700-800 euros. In Barcelona, the cost of housing is slightly lower. A good one-bedroom apartment can be rented for 850-900 euros per month.

If you cannot afford such prices, you can choose smaller cities to live in. For example, renting a one-bedroom apartment in the center of Seville will cost 600 euros, while on the outskirts of the city you can find good deals for 400-450 euros.

Tenants also pay utility bills for electricity, heat, water, garbage collection, and building maintenance. The final amount will significantly depend on the season, but on average, utilities for an 80-square-meter apartment will cost up to 150 euros per month.

In the previous article, we talked about the rules of entry, stay, the procedure for obtaining temporary protection in Spain in 2024 and what kind of assistance Ukrainians can expect.

The cost of food in Spain

Another factor that contributes to the low cost of living in Spain is food, which is inexpensive. The country has a strong agricultural industry and produces many local products, such as cheese and wine, vegetables and fruits.

Let's look at the average prices of food in Spain:

1. Bread - 0.5-1 euro;

2. Meat, 1 kg - 6-10 euros;

3. Milk, 1 liter - 0.7-1.5 euros;

4. Olive oil - 4.70 euros;

5. Eggs, 12 pieces - 2.20 euros;

6. Rice, 1 kg - 1.50 euros;

7. Pasta - 0.80-1.30 euros;

8. Tomatoes, 1 kg - 2 euros;

9. Cucumbers, 1 kg - 1.80 euros;

10. Bananas, 1 kg - 1.45 euros.

Migrants note that 300 euros is enough for a couple to buy food for a month.

Lunch in a Spanish restaurant will cost about 20 euros. But you can save money here too. Choose the “Menu del día” menu in restaurants, which is our analog of a business lunch. For 15 euros, you can get a first and main course, a navi, and even a dessert. Dinner for two in a middle-class restaurant will cost about 40 euros.

The cost of public transportation

Spain has a well-developed public transportation network, and Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Bilbao even have subways. Smaller cities are also well served by buses, and high-speed trains run regularly. A single bus ticket in Spain costs about 1.5 euros, and a monthly pass can be purchased for 40 euros. Train tickets between different cities start at 65 euros.

You don't need to have a car to travel comfortably in Spain, as public transportation is a convenient, fast, and cheaper alternative. And finding a parking space for a car in a big city is a real challenge. Fuel prices in Spain start at 1.5 euros per liter.

You can find out more about the peculiarities of traffic rules and toll roads in Spain here.

The cost of medicine in Spain

Spanish citizens can enjoy free medical care. Refugees from Ukraine who have been granted temporary protection status and are officially employed (the employer pays social security contributions for them) also have this right. Only certain services will be paid for, depending on the region of residence.

However, a large number of foreigners prefer private health insurance, which offers a wider range of coverage for the treatment of various diseases. In Spain, the cost of such a policy will start from 30-50 euros for people aged 20-30. The price depends on the age and health of the insured person.

When planning to travel abroad, it is important to have a reliable health insurance policy, as it guarantees high-quality medical care outside of Ukraine. Get a reliable policy from a trusted insurance agent on the Visit Ukraine portal.

Additional expenses

A subscription to a fitness center will cost about 40 euros per month. You'll need to pay 7-9 euros for a movie ticket and 15 euros for a museum ticket. A trip to the theater for two will cost about 50 euros.

Clothing prices in Spain are also quite budget-friendly. Jeans can be purchased for 20-30 euros, and a T-shirt for 5-10 euros. Average prices for shoes range from 50-100 euros.

Thus, for a comfortable life in Spain, a couple of two people need about 1700-1900 euros per month in large cities. For rural areas, this amount will be even less - 1500-1600 euros per month.

If you encounter any difficulties during migration or want to consult a specialist on relocation, you can always contact our lawyers who will help you using an individual approach.

To sign up for a consultation, you need to follow this link and choose the type of consultation. You can count on fast communication and professional assistance from VU lawyers.

We remind you! Ukrainians in Spain can obtain or extend temporary protection, which is valid until March 4, 2025. However, to live in this country, you also need a TIE identity card. Read more about how to obtain or extend it if you have one.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

Ihor Usyk is the Head of Legal Department at Visit Ukraine

On the Visit Ukraine portal, you can get legal advice on migration law. Our lawyers will answer all your questions and, if necessary, help you collect, submit and receive the documents you need. You can order a specialist consultation or full legal support by following this link.

Do you have additional questions? Contact the Visit Ukraine hotline (Telegram | WhatsApp).

Our recommendation for a safe and comfortable trip:

Visit Ukraine Insurance - insurance for a safe stay abroad without unnecessary expenses;

Green Card - compulsory car insurance for traveling abroad;

Visit Ukraine Tickets - book tickets for buses, trains, and airplanes to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world;

Private Lawyer service - professional legal support on visa and migration issues;

Visit Ukraine Merch - buy patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

Renting a house in Spain

The cost of food in Spain

The cost of public transportation

The cost of medicine in Spain

Additional expenses

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